Jen, based in Port Townsend, WA (U.S.A.), is the founder of the Raw Art Collective, an incubator for creative projects that spark community engagement. From a traveling camera obscura to an art vending machine, Jen’s initiatives bring people together to celebrate creativity and curiosity. Her enthusiasm for pinhole photography has made Port Townsend a global hub for Pinsta users, with more fans per capita than anywhere else in the world.
In this conversation, Martin delves into Jen’s journey with pinhole photography, the magic of the Pinsta camera, and how letting go has shaped her creative process - and her life.
Can you tell us about the moment the Pinsta camera came into your life?
It was in the middle of the night, scrolling through Instagram in that hazy, half-asleep state. An ad popped up. I barely remember clicking Buy Now. Two weeks later, this little box appeared on my doorstep. I let it sit there for a month, unopened, like it was waiting for me to be ready. When I finally opened it, I realized I needed photo paper, some kind of developer, and a dark bag. I wasn’t ready again, so it sat there for another couple of weeks. By the time I had all the materials, I thought, “Maybe I’ll give it to my husband for his birthday.” But then this little voice in my head said, “Take it for a spin.” That voice changed everything.
Do you remember capturing and developing your first photo?
I didn’t expect much, honestly. I was just playing around and enjoying the process: the
magnetic click of the camera closing, fumbling in the dark bag, improvising with a syringe. But when I opened the camera and saw an actual image, it was pure joy—a quiet, wide-eyed kind of joy. It wasn’t the picture itself, but the experience of not planning, not knowing, and being surprised. That feeling of discovery... it was like reconnecting with a part of myself I’d forgotten.
The Pinsta camera has a quite simple design. How does the design align with you and your process?
Oh, I love how straightforward the Pinsta camera is. There’s no unnecessary complexity - it’s just light, paper, and time. That simplicity encourages you to focus on the experience rather than getting bogged down by technical details. It’s meditative. You’re not worrying about settings or features; you’re just in the moment, working with what’s in front of you. The design invites playfulness and experimentation, which is at the heart of what makes pinhole photography so freeing.
You have a background in science. How does your work as a scientist influence - or maybe contrast with - your approach to pinhole photography?
Science taught me to plan, document, and control every variable. Over time, the constraints became stifling. The camera was the opposite of all that. It let me let go. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t writing steps in a notebook or trying to replicate results. The freedom was exhilarating. It reminded me of why I went into science in the first place: curiosity, wonder, the joy of exploring the unknown.
You’ve said the Pinsta camera changed your life. In what way?
It wasn’t just the camera—it was the act of letting go. Around the same time, I was reading Marcus Aurelius, Joe Dispenza, and Ram Dass. Those texts opened my mind to the idea that I could choose how to live. I’d spent years telling my kids to follow their passions, but I wasn’t listening to my own advice. The camera became a practice in being present. It taught me to live in the moment, to embrace uncertainty, and to find joy in imperfection. That shift in perspective opened up new possibilities—opportunities to show my work, teach workshops, and build a community. But more importantly, it made me feel free.
Your approach seems almost anti-technical. What would you say to someone who feels they need to “get it right” with pinhole photography?
I’d say let go of “right.” Let go of control. The beauty of pinhole photography is in its unpredictability. You don’t need a tripod, perfect light, or even straight edges on your photo paper. Rip it. Wing it. See what happens. The less I try to control the outcome, the more beautiful the process becomes. I don’t look at my work in galleries and think, “That’s me.” It’s not about identity or achievement—it just is.
Any advice for someone just starting with a pinhole camera?
Follow Pinstafanatics on Instagram :) Start with curiosity. Take a shot in your front yard. Develop it with whatever you have on hand - coffee, tea, maybe even peppermint and aquarium conditioner like I did. Don’t overthink it. You don’t need fancy equipment. More than anything, stay open to surprise. The camera is a tool, yes, but it’s also a reminder to look at the world differently, to embrace imperfection, and to let go of what you think you know.
What are your Pinsta plans for the near future and what do you like to do when you’re not out and about with your camera?
I’m incredibly excited about our upcoming pinhole photography workshops at Point Wilson Lighthouse this February and to see you in person again! It’s such a unique collaboration, and I can’t wait to meet the lucky participants who’ll get to stay at the Lighthouse. There’s something magical about being there—looking out at night and seeing the lantern illuminate the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Just imagine the Pinsta pinhole shots we’ll capture in that setting!
Beyond planning workshops, I’ve been letting my Pinsta camera inspire creative play with light-sensitive emulsions, blueberries, solarization techniques, and wet plate pinhole photography. Recently, I started crafting magnetic wooden frames to display my Pinsta photos on the refrigerator. I love the tactile contrast between the smooth photo paper and the natural texture of the wood. I also launched a Facebook group for Pinsta Photography to connect with fellow enthusiasts and exchange ideas—it’s been amazing to watch the community grow.
Outside of workshops and creating Pinsta images, I balance my time between my day job and activities that feed my soul. Experimenting with making and drinking bone broth has become a soothing ritual for me. I stay active with kettlebell training, which helps me feel both grounded and energized. And, of course, I’m always working on projects through the Raw Art Collective, like organizing Pinsta walks, pop-up exhibits, and quirky collaborations. For me, it’s all about sparking curiosity and building connections with others.
Last question: If you had to sum up what pinhole photography has taught you in one sentence, what would it be?
Let go, stay curious, and trust that something beautiful will emerge.
Thank you, Jen!
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