From laidback primates to withered street flora and intricate spider-made abodes, Jeanine Stewart sure knows how to capture the best that ol' Ma Nature has to offer. The London-based shutterbug might consider photography a hobby of sorts, but we happen to think she's a bit of a pro, so we threw a few curious questions her way.

What is your name and how old are you? I'm Jeanine Stewart and I'm 39 years old.

Where were you born and where do you live now? Born in the United States, grew up in Montreal, Canada, currently living in London, UK.

When did you first know you wanted to be a photographer? My dad used to be a hobbyist photographer. He had a dark room in the basement and I remember seeing large photographs floating in solution under a red light. I was in awe. It wasn't until years later, with the advent of digital photography, that I became a hobbyist myself. In 2010 I bought a Pentax K1000 and it was love at first sight. I said goodbye to digital photography and, aside from my hopeless addiction to Instagram, I've never looked back.



What kind of subjects interest you the most? I am fascinated by the everyday ordinary, the spoon on a kitchen table, crumpled sheets, the shadows on the wall at 6am, a cup of hot tea -- the little things which, when strung together, make a day, a life. And light. I'm constantly drawn to the light.

Is there a running theme to the work you create, or do you just make whatever comes to mind? Whatever catches my eye at any given moment.

Do you take the same care with personal photographs as you do with commercial/artistic work? I'm a full time editor, so photography is really just a hobby for me. In some ways, I prefer it that way. Photography is what I do to relax. I would hate to put any sort of pressure on something so sacred.



What advice can you offer on finding your personal style or aesthetic? Keep shooting. Your style will find you. And don't compare yourself with anyone else. Comparison kills creativity.

What are the hallmarks of a great photographer? A sense of wonder and the ability to tell a story, or convey an emotion, through an image.

What is the strangest thing or thought that has inspired a photo? I love a good jump shot. Why have a simple photograph of Stonehenge when you could have a picture of someone jumping in front of Stonehenge? It's not strange in and of itself, but people certainly do notice. Photography should, after all, be fun and playful. And it's good to shake things up.



What other photographers do you love? There are so many... Uta Barth, Vivian Maier, William Eggleston, Tim Robison, Charlotte Bland, Maria Alexandra Vettese & Stephanie Congdon Barnes (3191 miles apart), Brian Ferry (the blue hour), Nikaela Marie Peters and Xanthe Berkeley.

What do you enjoy doing when not taking photos? Travelling, riding my bicycle, writing in cafés, slow mornings, long hikes, and spending as much time as I possibly can in the countryside.

Where can we see more of your work? I post analogue photos on my blog, wonderingsandwanderings.com, and share everyday moments on instagram @jeaninestewart.