JENIFER ALTMAN IS MY POLAROID HERO. She is an incredibly talented photographer who has an eye for detail and light- two of my favourite things. Jen is also the mastermind behind the book, For the Love of Light : A Tribute to the Art of Polaroid. I had been a fan of Jenifer’s work for a while and as you can imagine was delighted when she asked me to contribute to the book.

Jenifer creates magic behind the camera, whether it be with her Polaroids, her Hassy or Pentax. She views film as something special and often creates the photographs I see in my head. Jenifer is skilled in the art of tabletop food photography and makes even the messiest of meals look like perfection. She has a gorgeous blog, Nectar and Light where she shares her everyday happiness and has just released a website called rosyeve and fey for her photography business.

I adore Jen’s work. It’s recently been on show at the Napa Nest Gallery in California. I urge you to sit back with a cup of tea and perhaps a scone, and spend some time gazing over her glorious photography. I promise it will make you happy.

PC: Why Polaroid?

Jenifer: Because of the milk and honey light, I am an addict. Ieven wear honey scented perfume because it reminds me of polaroid light – is that weird?

PC: Which Polaroid cameras do you use? Do you prefer some over others?

Jenifer: I shoot mainly with a 680SLR and SX70 – I also shoot several pack film cameras, a polaroid back for my Hasselblad and a Spectra but there is no comparison in what the SX70 does with light, and the nearly medium format look of the 680 can not be matched.

PC: A Polaroid genie appears to grant you any Polaroid wish. Who or what would you shoot with your Polaroid?

Jenifer: If i could sneak in a wish to have enough film to get through my daughters childhood, that would be a treat! But i would ask to be transported {family in tow} to Rome for two weeks – I would photograph absolutely everything I saw. {Editor’s note: There seems to be a running theme here with us wanting to run off to Europe with a Polaroid camera. }

PC: Please share a couple of your favourite Polaroids and tell us the story behind them.

Jenifer: This is not only my favorite Polaroid – it is my favorite photo I have ever taken. This is my youngest daughter Ari Rose – the intense look in her eyes, the way they glow with wonder – it is just so her – and of course I love how her daddy is holding her and the way the light blankets both of them.

Jenifer: I love this one of Ayla Eve and Adie Fey too – this is at my mom’s pool this summer – We lived there and the girls grew fins by summers end. It just reminds me of being in the water, the laughter and pride in their voices as they both swam by themselves – just a very happy moment.

PC: Can you tell us about some of your favourite Polaroiders?

Jenifer: {Edited because Jen told me she loved me} I also have to profess my undying love for Fernanda – many moons ago, she took the time to answer in detail my questions about what to look for in a SX70 and about modifying it. Her work is a continuing inspiration to me and her open heart is an inspiration to us all.

PC: Thank you so much for this interview Jen. We loved hearing about why Polaroid is so important to you and thank you for inspiring so many of us to shoot more Polaroid.

The above Polaroid was one of the very first I ever saw of Jen’s. I instantly felt peace and wanted to live in a room which had that kind of magical light.

More Jenifer Altman gorgeousness at Nectar and Light, her website, etsy store and flickrstream.