Meet Glenn Yarnell | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Glenn Yarnell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Glenn, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

During the pandemic shutdown my art took a nosedive. I’m also a teacher, so when we all went home, I was Zoom teaching for 6 – 7 hours a day. I had no desire to create digital art, no desire to be on the computer for another second once the school day had ended. .Now that we are back/have been back, having the time to sit quietly and create has returned, and I’ve relearned to appreciate that time.

Now that I’m exhibiting more and attending more markets, the challenge has been to incorporate the more businessy aspects of the creative life, and the learning curve feels steep. At times it’s felt like the part of my brain I got back when remote-teaching ended is being taken up by the financial and organizational aspects. Fortunately for me, my partner Joan is super supportive and helpful in this.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I started taking pictures about 12 or 13 years ago. I had taken a new job that I almost instantly knew was a bad fit. Near a place I had to go for training there was some environmentally protected land that I would go for walks during lunch. I started taking nature photographs there. Fortunately, I was able to leave that job very quickly, but taking photos kept on. About 7 or so years ago I began digitally manipulating the photos I took. I’d always done a bit of editing… cropping, brightening up or darkening a bit, but that was about it. Everything was still pretty realistic looking.

I had done some nature close ups, and just started playing with the color. How otherworldly could I make it look? And that’s where the fun really began for me. I’d post photo’s here and there and people would ask what it was or say it was pretty cool looking.

I then took the idea of reimagining the colors and shapes  to the photos I took when I was out walking around on my breaks at work. By that time those walks were in downtown Springfield and I was being really inspired by the lines and angles of the architecture, the mix of older and newer buildings, and the way that reflections impacted my view of the city. These walks around the same areas over the course of time, the shifting seasonal light, the different weather, got me thinking about how I see where I live… it made the buildings more alive.  I feel like, based on the colors and the manipulations, that I’m pulling personality and possibilities out.  Reimagining how the city looks, and how the city could look and exist, changes the way I think about the realities in the city. It broadens the possibilities.

Make-It Springfield has been a big part of my creative growth. They provide a space for people to create in all mediums and bring an active, creative space to downtown Springfield. They also provided me a fellowship this year, one of 5 they offered, to financially support creative endeavors.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Springfield has Forest Park, which is an Olmstead park, so some time exploring the lily ponds and the nature and having a picnic lunch from the Souper Sweet Sandwich shop, which is at the outer edge of the park is a must.

Downtown Springfield has a ton to do. Fresh Paint Springfield has livened up the walls with numerous mural projects. It’s coming back in September of 2022, so more new wall art to come! Definitely take a walking tour of the murals. If you’re in the mood for a coffee and pastry, Granny’s Baking Table is the place to go. It’s freshly made there, and amazing! Across Stearns Square Park is The Ethnic Study. It’s co-working space, a bookstore,and a cafe. The restaurant district features Theodore’s for bbq. Upstairs is Smith’s Billiards, one of the oldest continuously operating pool halls in the country.

If you are feeling creative, stop by Make-it Springfield, maker space that provides workshops and maker space. There is a ton going on there.

Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival is put on every year in August and is the premier music event in the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to all who have encouraged me to put myself out there! My parents, my partner, Joan and daughter Emilia, and anyone who ever said “you really should show that someplace’

Instagram: @gyar_photos

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gyarnellphotos

Image Credits
Charlotte Watts (for the photo of me) Glenn Yarnell (all others)