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 that rival those I see from professionals.

Jenny Connelly, Founder, Lead Teacher & Program Outreach

Jenny does curriculum development & outreach and is the lead teacher for a limited number of classes each year. She is also the food manager and cook at overnights!

Jenny has been a professional photographer since 1994, has four children and lives in Dorchester. She runs her school portrait company, Photo Charm, and shoots events with Jennifer Connelly Photo. She founded Big Picture Art House in 2011 to share her love of film and photography with local youth.

The Art House part of our brand is intended to inspire future programming for the entire community, such as adult workshops, movie nights, arts and artisan classes, private parties and more. The seeds of this were planted when Jenny created Carnival Cafe Productions in Jamaica Plain in 1996. Carnival Cafe produced interactive theatre events 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. These goals still motivate and shape who we are now.

BigPictureArtHouse@gmail.com

Photographers/Teachers

Our staff are artist-type free thinkers who, by example, encourage our students to explore the world in like manner.

  • Stephanie Espinal - LEAD TEACHER & CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

    Stephanie is the lead teacher, class production manager and social media specialist. She is a professional photographer since 2010 with interests in fashion, fine art and lifestyle portraiture. She is the founder of the media company ‘Espy Creative’. Stephanie has a BA from Salem State University in Fine Art and Movement. She is also a dance instructor and model who has been featured in several music videos and campaigns. In addition to still photo, Stephanie has worked in video media since 2014 and fluent in Spanish. On Instagram.

  • Jack Dawson - TEACHER & PROGRAM AMBASSADOR

    Jack is the video expert for Big Picture. He is a professional photographer & videographer with a passion in music videos, weddings and portraiture. He is the founder of the photography/video production brand ’Dawson Vision Productions’. He has a BA from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in broadcast media. Jack captures images with his camera, but tells meaningful stories using what he calls, the "purist" art form. On Instagram.

  • Shamus Connelly - SUB

    Shamus has a BA from Colby College in Global Studies with minors in Art and Anthropology. He has interests in street and fashion photography, and studies art and its history as forms of communication, expression and beauty from cultures around the world. He has lived and studied in Argentina, Mexico, Columbia and is fluent in Spanish. On Instagram.

  • Nina

    Boston & Overnight Activities Counselor: Nina is a Big Picture alumni and started as a team assistant in 2022.

  • Desmond

    Overnight Cook: Jenny’ son has been cooking for overnight classes since 2018. Desi is a graduate of Boston Latin School and is currently studying history at UMass Amherst.

  • Anna

    Overnight Counselor: Anna is a Big Picture alumni and assisted at overnight class in 2020 and 2021. She is currently on break while at college.

TESTIMONIALS