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When photographing wildlife I focus on freezing the briefest of moments. I like to capture motion, the momentary eye contact with an animal or bird, the light in an eye, the transient light at dawn and dusk, and moments that are too fast to be easily seen by the naked eye.  The more I photograph and observe wildlife the more I am convinced both birds and animals have emotions and feelings. I strive to capture these moments by  taking people closer to see better the detail, colour and spirit of a wild creature. All these aspects help to illustrate the beauty and might of nature and provide a lasting impression that I hope enthuses and excites the onlooker. When we yearn for an inner peace and our instinct is to search for that which makes us smile and breathe more deeply, then I hope my images will delight the sight and mind of the observer. I am sure that when we live in the concrete jungles of cities and yearn for a better life it is a really an instinct calling us back to the freedom and wonder of nature. My message is: “ Let us wonder at nature and do everything we can to hang on to it."

Biography

Sheena Jolley was born in Wicklow, Ireland. Between 1999-2001 she studied Photography full time at North Oxfordshire College of Art thus combining her creative talents with her knowledge and love of nature. Sheena is dedicated to capturing images of the indigenous wildlife of Ireland and in particular its islands. With the islands becoming more popular and easily accessible by organised boat trips, she hopes to increase the awareness and appreciation of our natural world. The best way to preserve a thing of beauty is to hold the attention of the viewer and encourage a feeling of wonder and nurture. Her work therefore involves tight close-ups as well as a study of animals in their environment. It is music for the eyes. Her work has been purchased by collectors in Europe and America  and has featured many  times in a number of National Publications. This year one of her photographs  made it to the finals of the Veolia Environnement Wildlife photographer of the year Competition. As well as photographing wildlife Sheena has been involved in photographing a suppressed community in the West Indies. These are the forgotten descendants of Irish and Scottish people shipped to Barbados as slaves more than 300years ago. With compassion and sensitivity she has managed to give an identity and dignity to a poverty –stricken community living on the edge of society. Her work and  provocative images also feature in a documentary shown on both Irish and Scottish television in 2009 and 2010. Sheena has had a number of exhibitions both current and in the planning stage.

 

Sheena has recently become a Licentiate Member of the Irish Professional Photographers Association.

What people say   "We just recently got around to framing and hanging your photograph at our home and my wife Johanna and I are really struck by it. You have a wonderful talent and are lucky to be doing it for a living." Jerry Kennelly, founder and former CEO of Stockbyte, and co-founder of the Endeavour programme.   “Photography is about capturing the moment. Many photographers will capture the event but only the very best will capture the moment that is often but a fleeting fraction of a second. The second important element of a great picture is expression. Sheena Jolley  has managed to encapsulate both of these into her pictures of nature and wildlife” John O’Donovan, Pictures Editor , Irish Examiner   “Sheena aims to capture the spirit of her subjects in a subtle and insightful way. Her pictures are vividly colourful and have a quirky charm” Robert Clougher, The Sunday Business Post

"Unlike most wildlife photographers, Sheena Jolley  likes to get up close and personal with her subjects and depends on stealth rather than patient concealment beneath camouflage. The result is a moment caught in time when she is at one with her quarry and the unposed, natural action is preserved in all its intensity and beauty. I'm delighted to have such a moment on my wall." Conor Kelleher, Chairman, Irish Wildlife Trust     “This work is vital, it shows us in stark and immediate images a natural world under threat” Olive Braiden, Human Rights Commissioner   ‘These photographs are so wonderful and the colours so beautiful you would think you were stepping into the scene yourself.” Gilda Howard , The Southern Star