WHO?
I’m Caren Winnall. I grew up on Long Island, lived in England for 2 years, spent 10 years in Brooklyn, and have lived in suburban Connecticut for the past 30 years. It is the ideal location for me, giving easy access to the stimulation NYC offers, while providing space and access to nature. I had a long career in the investment field, mostly working for a large foundation. I retired in my mid-50s, reasoning that being miserable at work was not a good way to spend the rest of my life. I had loved photography as a teenager, but had only taken family & vacation pictures since then.
After I retired I went to Maine Media Workshops for a week long Intro to Digital Photography course and was hooked. I spent the next decade taking many courses there and at the International Center of Photography in NY, and at many workshops.
WHAT?
I don’t have a particular specialty, photographing widely whatever attracts my eye. I am interested in the poetry of the ordinary. Color and composition are key for me. I have become more interested in portraits lately. I make images from what I encounter in the world at the moment. I also like to work on projects focused on one place.
WHEN?
I don’t carry a camera with me at all times but go out specifically to photograph, whether for an afternoon or for weeks at a time. Travel is a big part of my life and many of my images come on these trips.
WHERE?
I photograph in a wide range of locations. Over the past two years I spent many months driving the 2300 miles of Route 1, which goes from Maine to Key West in Florida. Lately I’ve been exploring neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens & the Bronx. I have traveled to photograph in Mississippi, Ireland, Cornwall, Mexico, Turkey, Colombia and many other places. I also often photograph along the shoreline where I spend a lot of time.
WHY?
Photography allows me to engage with the world, which is endlessly fascinating. It is stimulating, challenging, frustrating, rewarding, and gives me a reason to get out of the house and do something productive. It has given me a fulfilling new phase in my life, and has been the key to many friendships developed with fellow photographers. I came upon a sign incRaleigh, NC that sums it up well for me –”Fill Your Life With Strange Beautiful Things.”
