“Are you still taking pictures?” by Jennifer H.
I’ve loved city and street photography ever since I was a kid, but I never actually owned a “real” camera until I was in my mid 30s.
I got my love of photography from my dad. Growing up, my dad always had a camera with him. He’d keep this big, silver aluminum camera case in his truck. That way whenever he needed to switch out a lens or attach a flash to his camera, he was prepared.
I was always amazed at the aluminum camera case my dad carried with him. It looked fancy and important. He used to say to my sister and me, “You never know when there’s going to be a Kodak moment.”
Even now, at age 89, my dad still takes his camera with him. Whenever I talk to him, he always asks me, “Are you still taking pictures?”
Discovering Street Photography
In 2015, my family and I relocated from Tennessee to Michigan after my husband’s military service ended. It was a big move for us, and we didn’t know anyone here in Michigan. We were living far from family, and I was eight months pregnant at the time of our move.
I desperately needed a creative outlet.
About three months after I gave birth to our son, I bought myself a refurbished Nikon camera and just dove right into the world of photography. I had no idea how to use my “new” camera, but I was determined to learn.
I checked out library books, watched YouTube videos, and took in-person classes with local photographers. I attended local events and festivals to practice my photography skills.
This was when I discovered I was most passionate about taking city and street photography.
Photography also became a way for me to get to know the city and metro area. In September 2015, I started sharing my photographs on my former city blog Good Life Detroit.
Click the images in the gallery below to enlarge.
Taking a Break from Photography
In 2023, I took a hiatus from blogging and photography. Life got super busy, and social media was triggering my anxiety. With the rise of the influencer industry, I think the lines between being a photographer and being an influencer started to blur for me.
I found myself wondering: Did I create art, or did I want to create content to monetize?
At that point I realized, I needed to step away, regroup, and figure out what photography meant to me again.
Click on the images below to enlarge.
Now, I am gently easing my way back into the art I love so much. This summer (2026), I literally dusted off my old cameras and started taking photographs again.
And I have to say it feels damn good to be taking pictures again!
I love photographing city scenes, street portraits, and unexpected details. Currently, I photograph with my old Canon and Nikon cameras, as well as my Samsung Galaxy–whichever camera best suits the moment.
Now, when my dad asks me, “Are you still taking pictures?” I can say to him, “Yep, Dad. I am!”
Read more about Jennifer here. Contact Jennifer via email at mindfulintrovertblog@gmail.com, or connect with her on Instagram and Pinterest.