jacquie r. wagenschutz

One step at a time—first she took photographs, then she became a photographer, then the aspiration to fine tune the work into art. Yet another step—elevating the art to become a Fine Art Photographer, jacquie r. wagenschutz—jr by her signature.

Along the way jacquie took courses from well-known Pacific Northwest photographers, although she views herself as primarily self taught. Fine-tuning the art and having the opportunity to shoot in new places is a necessity. The steps are forever—reading, working in the field and in the studio, taking courses, and discussions with fellow artists of all mediums. “Do not limit your vision, take in all you can”—working words to live by.

jacquie developed her creative eye in Chicago in the Lincoln Park area while under the tutelage of the owners of the Tivoli Gardens, a renowned, unique gift, import and art store. She went on to own several businesses in the resort town of Michigan City, IN, always offering art opportunities to artists in Northern Indiana and Illinois while evolving her own art. Back then it was designing jewelry with antique African beads, and then interior decorating based on art and antiques—never quite finding what she wanted.

She was involved in various art and entertainment venues and publicity. jacquie was instrumental in bringing juried fine-arts-and-crafts-outdoor shows to the area, acting as curator, or jurist, and/or publicist.

Corporate business and family life took jacquie away from the arts for many years, but upon moving to the Oregon coast in 1997 she was inspired to return to her love of the arts. Over the years she became a strong advocate and voice for the arts in Florence, Oregon, becoming active in different art associations while working on her new art—photography.

jacquie’s proudest accomplishment was working with a group of talented artists to produce a calendar for the local fishing association in Florence. She wrote, helped design and was responsible for the PR for the Save Our Ships Art Calendar 2005 which raised over $12,000.

Life continues to bring changes and surprises, especially the decision to move from her beloved Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. jacquie has moved her home and studio to Jackson, Tennessee.

The Work

jr’s portfolio is a wide representation of life, with no restrictions in the subject matter. She specializes in macro and close-up photography but the range also includes landscapes, seascapes and portraits of all kinds using both film and digital formats. Moods set the tone—moments in time are captured forever.

“Light, wind, humidity, time of day and year all affect the shot. Change one of these factors and the scene transforms.” jacquie holds to the belief that early morning or evening treks are inherent to the business, to the art—“Photography demands a lot of solo time and that is when I do my best shooting and thinking.”

Her Illusions and Restoration work are becoming widely recognized.

jr performs the entire process from digital darkroom work to the final print in her jrmac IMAGES Studio; on occasion an outside print studio is involved. All materials used are archival.

So what is Fine Art Photography—it isn't the representation, it is the presentation. It’s how it is presented; it breaks rules; it emphasizes its make up, it's the parts (color, light, texture, form, mood, etc.) not the whole (portrait, landscape, etc); it’s the mood or vision, it isn’t the specific. It is more.