Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ridgeway.
Jennifer, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2015, my father unexpectedly passed away. During the grieving process, I searched for a creative outlet to distract my mind and heal through. At that time, I was dating a hobbyist photographer and I asked him if I could play with his camera just to see if I could take photos. I took the camera to a field of cows, sat down, and spent hours photographing them. I never sat the camera back down. I fell head over heels in love with photography. I quickly realized that I did not want to just capture pretty images. I wanted to give my clients what I did not have; memories. I knew my father for less than two years and I have one photo with him. Gosh, what I would give to have photos. So, with photography, I am giving people what I will never have and that is an incredibly fulfilling purpose.
When people ask me for advice about starting photography or learning photography, I always say, “I am the worst person to ask” because I am self-taught. Something just clicked (no pun intended) and I just kept shooting and editing until I figured it out. I have developed a deep love with capturing raw true emotion in my photo sessions. Any time I walk into a shoot, my goal is to bring out the best in my clients so they walk away with images that speak to them. Photography is more than a cold frame to me. It memories frozen, laughter captured, and love that is palpable. I genuinely cannot imagine my life without a camera in my hand.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
If there is a smooth road to pursuing your dreams or starting a business, I must have had the wrong map! I assume there are struggles in any industry when you are trying to get your feet off the ground or “be discovered” especially as an artist of any sort.
One of the biggest struggles for me has been finding my voice. The photography industry is saturated with every editing style possible, every price point, and every business structure known to man. There have been so many moments of self-doubt we won’t even try to count them because it is embarrassing! Which I truly believe every artist struggles with that same issue. In the end, I have learned that my voice matters because it is mine. There is only one. Finding who you are as an artist and standing firm in that is a very freeing step!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Jennmark Photography specializes in: family photography, senior session, corporate headshots, and wedding photography. At Jennmark I want to walk with my clients during their photography journey and help them create lasting timeless moments. I am there to guide them every step of the way. From location planning, finding the perfect light to helping plan outfits for every person in their session; I want to help and take out as many stressors as possible.
I also believe that photos should be chosen by the client, not by the photographer. They are not mine, they are meant to be loved by them. Part of the journey with Jennmark is letting clients choose the images they love. I quickly found that clients will have an emotional connection to their photos that I will not have. That is because they are their images and I hope to cultivate love when they see them! I work very hard to give my clients something different. I never want to be a “book, shoot, here are your images” type of photographer. Clients deserve a personal, meaningful service.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I actually am not a believer in luck. Dedication, hard work, and getting back up after you fail to lead you to success, luck does not. As for “bad luck” I think that everything happens to get us to another point. Often times what we view as bad luck is actually a circumstance given to us to mold us for a greater plan.
Contact Info:
- Email: jennmarkphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennmarkphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennmarkphotography/
Image Credit:
All photos belong to Jennmark Photography.
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