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WHY: Big Picture was created by photographer Jennifer Connelly to fill the gap in programming available to middle school students in the Spring of 2011. Student interest has led to longer and more diverse programming including week-long overnight classes.
WORKSHOPS: The most popular workshops happen in summer and over school vacations. Right now, we work out of a home teaching space in Jenny's turn of the century house in Dorchester near the zoo. This home has provided many set opportunities for movie making weeks. It is 2 miles from the "monument" in JP. Future plans include more overnight destinations. FIELD TRIPS AND FOOD: Traveling around in 8 passenger vans driven by teachers gives us much more freedom to get to and from ideal shooting locations. Typical photo excursions are to Copley Square, North End, Eastie Marina, Chinatown, The Zoo, Public Market/The Greenway, Newbury Street, Harvard Square, Caste Island, Fort Revere, Concord Minuteman, Fenway Gardens and more. Jenny is a foodie and likes to visit classic Boston spots a few times each summer without sending student budgets through the roof. So although you will find regular options like sub shops and Panera, we will also visit touristy spots like Pizzeria Regina, Boston Public Market and Georgetown Cupcakes an Tasty Burger. STAFF: Jennifer Connelly, owner/lead instructor is a professional photographer since 1994, and has four children of her own. She lives in Dorchester and runs her school portrait company, Photo Charm and shoots events with Jennifer Connelly Photo. Summer 2018 Teachers: RA for overnight class is Emily Spagna. "Hi! My name is Emily. I am currently studying photography and creative writing at Bridgewater State University. I love animals and doing arts and crafts! I have so many fun things planned for our week in Narragansett!" Jessica Furtado Pegg is the lead teacher for Simmer Down II. She is a photographer, teacher and documentary film maker. She has two children and lives in Quincy. Her specialty is wedding photography and you can see her work at http://jpeggphotography.com TA for Photojournalism class is Samantha Guajardo. She is a documentary/visual journalism photographer/film maker and a graduate of NESOP. Floating sub is Eric Hess. He is a Boston photographer since the early 90's, an artist with Atlantic Works Gallery, and makes his home in East Boston. Note from Jenny: Welcome. I feel that this program provides something that is artistic, social and cultural. Big Picture is a safe and fun place for students to be themselves, express themselves individually and as part of a group. I have been blown away by the work these young students produce. With a small amount of basic instruction and the right gear, they have made photos to rival those I see everyday from professionals. Their energy and excitement is a pleasure and their creativity has led to the production of such films as The Cereal Killer, Ravioli Revenge and The Fortune Cookie Killer. This was our 2011/12 food and crime era. We are always morphing and changing new themes to come. I came to JP in 1994 and bought a home in Dorchester (1/2 mile from JP) in 2009 when JP real estate soared past my budget. BUT I still consider JP my home. I am the school photographer to many kids in this area and have worked with them since they were babies. Also since I have 4 kids in Boston, I have have taught and photographed many of their "people" at school and events. I love the power and comfort of community. I grew up In Brookline so you guys are welcome too! Kidding. Everyone is welcome. Hope to meet some of you soon. |
February 2018, Class on Boylston Street
North End 2012, photo by Alexia Berry Photo
2018 Staff
Jenny Jess Emily 
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More about Jenny: Jenny returned to Jamaica Plain in 1994 where she started her career as a professional photographer.
Her photography business Jennifer Connelly Photo was officially established in 2000. In 2005, Jenny created her school portraiture company, Photo Charm and photographs pre-schools and elementary schools around the Boston area. The most recent addition to her photo adventure is Big Picture.
The Art House at the end is intended to inspire future programming for the entire community, such as adult workshops, movie nights, lecture series and dinner club. The seeds of this were planted when Jenny created Carnival Cafe Productions in Jamaica Plain. Carnival Cafe produced interactive theatre events in 1996-1998 involving food, music, dance, actors, set design and of course an intriguing theme. One goal was to have guests feel like they were entering another time and place (like walking into a movie). The other goal was to bring together a collaboration of artists in music, food, design, acting, construction, make up/costume, etc.
Jenny has a BA in psychology from USC, studied film and photo in Mexico at Instituto Allende, privately in Spain, at Boston Neighborhood Network and RISD. She has written two screenplays. She has four children and lives in Dorchester.
Check out/hire her for a private photo event:
Her photography business Jennifer Connelly Photo was officially established in 2000. In 2005, Jenny created her school portraiture company, Photo Charm and photographs pre-schools and elementary schools around the Boston area. The most recent addition to her photo adventure is Big Picture.
The Art House at the end is intended to inspire future programming for the entire community, such as adult workshops, movie nights, lecture series and dinner club. The seeds of this were planted when Jenny created Carnival Cafe Productions in Jamaica Plain. Carnival Cafe produced interactive theatre events in 1996-1998 involving food, music, dance, actors, set design and of course an intriguing theme. One goal was to have guests feel like they were entering another time and place (like walking into a movie). The other goal was to bring together a collaboration of artists in music, food, design, acting, construction, make up/costume, etc.
Jenny has a BA in psychology from USC, studied film and photo in Mexico at Instituto Allende, privately in Spain, at Boston Neighborhood Network and RISD. She has written two screenplays. She has four children and lives in Dorchester.
Check out/hire her for a private photo event: