Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Lawson.
Hi Jenny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I became interested in photography in college while working at Free People in 2014. It was part of store protocol to sort of add to the Instagram feed at each Free People location. I met some of my best friends while working there and became incredibly inspired to just go outside and shoot with friends. We’d get an amazing jumpsuit or coat in store and think all day about how we’d shoot it in some fun, cool way, and how we’d style it, who would model. For years, I would photograph friends and family for fun. As I shared my shots on social media, I slowly had friends of friends reaching out asking if I could photograph them doing yoga, or take couple shots, or come into their store and take some new pieces and just go out and see what I could get. In 2019, I found myself at Le Sol House – a new sort of social spot – where I met more friends that I truly consider family. The owner, Taylor, had seen some of my images and videos I’d taken in the space and went out on a limb and asked me if I’d be interested in photographing a 12-day trip to India that she’d curated. I feel like that trip really changed my life. I had a great 9-5 job at the time but realized that over time, my passion for photography had taken a backseat to my current workload. I had to recharge on the weekends rather than having the creative energy to work photo jobs here and there, I decided in 2021 to take the leap, leave my consistent job, and focus of photography full time. I asked one of my best friends/mentors Kelly “do you think I can do this?” to which she replied “you can totally do this,” Over the years, I’ve really nestled into this amazing creative community in Oak Cliff/Dallas and am so, so thankful for the people I’ve met, I really have so many people around me who refuse to let me doubt myself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! I’ve had some incredible opportunities, but a lot were met with immense challenges. I decided to start a business at 29, essentially, while most of my friends had had their lives on a more traditional, secure path. I often feel behind. Having an old boss sort of use and abuse my creativity and eagerness taught me the need for boundaries. I’m such a people pleaser that it often gets in the way of my creative abilities. I’ve had huge companies decide to not pay me. And at the end of 2022, I had all my equipment stolen. One of my best friends jokes that I’m a Phoenix rising from the ashes – constantly.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a photographer who dabbles in video. I also used to make videos in college. It was always on my phone – I’d use the 8mm app and make them for my friends and I. I really enjoy being a fly on the wall. Behind the scenes kind of started and remains my bread and butter, I’d say. I like to be able to capture what’s happening around me in the most organic way. I’ve always loved blurry photos (I know that’s a trend right now, but I’ve truly always embraced the movement of it) and capturing something that feels “in the moment.” I love going out at night with friends and capturing things and editing and delivering the images that my friends had no idea I was even capturing. If I’m photographing a family, or couple, or entrepreneurs, I’m always like “just do your thing” and I’ll capture that. I’ve always, always had a huge love for fashion. Runway shows make me cry. I have such a passion for editorial, fashion photography. I once set out to SXSW in 2014 just to capture street style. I’m probably most proud of saying yes to India in 2020. We went right before the pandemic, I’d just accepted a really great position at a company I really loved, and I had to immediately make a huge decision that was 2 weeks out and I said yes. I’d never done that before and the images from that trip remain some of my favorite. I like to think that what sets me apart from others is my ability to relate to my clients and make them feel seen, beautiful, and at ease. I want them to feel like they’re hanging with their best friend. Nothing is more intimidating to me than a photographer that I cannot relate to while working with them.
What matters most to you? Why?
Documenting moments we’ll never get back. That’s why I like taking photos “in the moment” rather than posed. In the moment shots are able to easier tell a story rather than someone posing for something in order to look a certain way. When you look back at a photo of you tying your shoes in the streets of Italy, you’ll remember the temperature, the way the streets felt, the fact that your shoes kept untying from all the walking. When it’s posed, it takes away the authenticity of the moment being captured. That being said, I love a good, posed shoot with a model or client who is comfortable and that’s what we’ve set out to do. To me, that’s true art. But the moments in between captivate me the most.
Contact Info:
- Website: jennylawsonphotography.com
- Instagram: jennybirddd
Image Credits
Jenny Lawson
