Words by Morgan Mercer
Meet the people behind the lens as we introduce you to the Pollenites to follow on Instagram. With visual footprints that are sure to inspire, these individuals have a knack for capturing everyday moments in a way that make us want to see more.
What should you do if you see a biker stopped alongside the road holding a cellphone midair, poised to snap a shot? Smile. Wave. Then check Instagram. You might have just caught Carolyn Jensen adding yet another photo to what she considers an “inordinate amount of posts” on Instagram. But hey, this St. Paul native has no shame — and her photo collection, filed under the pseudonym @minncare, follows suit.
By day Carolyn plots and strategizes in 140 characters as a social media consultant for startup companies; but by bike she’s an avid Instagrammer (she studied photography for a year in London) who loves to espouse her affection for the Twin Cities through images. She’s like a cheerleader — minus the pom-poms — who has a penchant for documenting her trips through the city and tagging key players along the way who make Minneapolis and St. Paul great.
“I’m turning into my mother. I see someone I know everywhere I go,” Carolyn says. “But I like surrounding myself with people who like what they’re doing and enjoy life. I like to boost people. I like when people succeed.”
In addition to lifting local businesses up, here are five more reasons to join @minncare as she pedals her way around the city.
“I don’t often photograph my feet, but trekking across Lake Superior on my own to see the ice caves was a feat for me (walking on frozen lakes is outside my comfort zone). Plus, the ice looked too amazing to pass by.”
“My mom and I go to a few performances at The Orpheum each year. My grandmother instilled a love of theatre in me as a kid that has only grown over time. I love how dedicated the Twin Cities are to preserving these incredible buildings.”
“I love to get up close and capture items from unexpected angles. I tend to focus on showing ordinary subjects in extraordinary ways. I’m also a sucker for stationery supplies.”
“I definitely veer toward a symmetrical aesthetic — Wes Anderson movies make me all warm and fuzzy. I’m not one to hang around cemeteries, but the architecture and grounds at Lakewood are stunning.”
“This shot is the perfect example of why I love photography. In attempting to capture the overall vibe of the Surly taproom, I ended up capturing a funny human moment. That’s my friend on the right, one of the nicest people I know; but it looks as if he’s giving master side eye to the gentleman on the left. Makes me laugh any time I look at it.”