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

Hi Juniper, why did you pursue a creative career?
It’s really all I know. I have always been artistic since I was little and it has always been my way of expressing my feelings. Growing up as the 1st Honduran member of my family to be born in America, I was not taught to speak Spanish because my family wanted me to be American. Not being able to communicate with your family was weird for me as a child and I grew to be the quiet kid in the family. At first, art was my way of letting my family know I was going through something but after time it was my way of relieving stress and expressing myself to the world (since I still suffer with communication anxiety). Overall, it truly makes me happy. Creating an artistic moment with photography is magical. I love every bit of it. The designing, set building, getting a team together, and all that hard work to see my vision come to life in the end is everything my heart desires. So, why not invest in yourself and what you love? 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The steps to figuring out the worth in my work wasn’t easy and is still a struggle of mine. Once I was out of high school, I went hitchhiking all over America for over 5 years. Living a life as a hitchhiker for so long and coming back to a world where technology has advanced tremendously was and is still my hardest challenge. I’m still new to everything Wi-Fi but everyday I strive to learn something new to have more of a social platform to make my businesses more successful. What keeps me going and creating is my children. I’m a mother of 2 wonderful little Queens and I want to make them proud. My oldest (10) really looks up to my art and is always telling me how amazing my designs, photos, or macramé pieces come out and it just pushes me to want to be better. I want to show them both that they can do anything if they keep working towards it. My husband is also such a great supporter to all I do and without him telling me to keep pushing my art, I would have giving up a long time ago.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Growing up in Yonkers, NY, going out to eat is my favorite time. Colorado has a lot of tasty places, but if I were to pick out my favorites spots ever, my first go to place is Benny Blanco’s in Denver, CO. It is the only place in all of Colorado that has real NY tasting pizza. Benny Blanco’s is your classic hole in the wall treasure. My favorite hangout coffee spot is The Jives in Old Colorado City. It has such a cool rustic décor and the coffee is amazing. A lot of local artists meet up there with open mics on Wednesday and other great events. I love camping in Crested Butte, CO. It’s just so beautiful there. Also, hiking in Beulah, CO is a personal place I like to go to and ground.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely want to Shoutout Madison Flowers for shouting me out. Thank you sweet thang. I also wanna Shoutout Aspen Brittany Mayhew, an amazing hard working Colorado base model. She is always using her platform to make a statement and help others. Her art is always expressive and powerful and she is truly an uplifting person and needs more recognition. Another big Shoutout goes to Kimberly and Kevin, the owners of Level 4 Studios in Colorado Springs. They are like my photography godparents. They have helped me grow as a photographer and have always believed in my abilities since the beginning of my journey and I’m forever grateful to them. They have not only helped me but find the time to help others and I admire them for that. My last Shoutout goes to my SFX friend Patrick Daughenbaugh. Not only can he do amazing sfx work but he is also an amazing make-up/hair artist. He has worked hard going to school in Hollywood and now is sharing his art back in his home town in Colorado. I’m so proud of all these folks and everything they have done for the community.

Website: https://elderberryphotography.weebly.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juniper.elderberry/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theartofadistressedflower
Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JunipersCraftBound

Image Credits
Rose Gold Reaper: Model-Jessica Baumann Photographer- Vinnie White Make-up/Hair Artist: KJ Murphy Amazon Model- Chey Mother Bird Photographer: Curt Dennis Alien Model- Ty May w/KJ Murphy Red Yarn Dress: Model- Madison Flowers Photographer- Ben Seagren Make-up Artist- Kimberly Clay Collage Model – Orion Knight – Alien photo by Matt Archer

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