Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Eagan.
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born in Bad Hersfeld, Germany in 1972, and raised in East Brunswick, NJ, I moved to Texas when I was 19 to attend college and be closer to my parents who had already relocated. I attended Southwest Texas State University, (now Texas State, although I refuse to call it that), I majored in psychology because I had known since high school that I wanted to help people. People have always told me how easy I am to talk to so I figured I should find a profession that would pay me to do just that.
I started my career in my senior year of college at a residential treatment center in 1995 where I discovered a passion for working with teens dealing with addiction. Since that time, I’ve worked at various treatment centers before landing at my current career with the Dallas County Juvenile Department. I have been working for the county as a Drug Intervention Specialist which has entailed counseling and assessing juveniles for substance abuse treatment for the past 24 years. It is here that I met my husband and we have been married for 12 years and together for 22 years. I am currently preparing to retire in approximately a year when I can focus on my other passion which is my love of photography.
I have loved taking pictures since I was a teenager and it has always been a hobby of mine. Several years ago, a friend of mine asked me to take his headshots and when I told him that I don’t do that, he kindly said “you do now”, and he helped me step into using my skills to make a little extra money on the side. I now take pictures of families, events, individuals and couples. I also continue to work on my artistic side of photography. I have been featured at three art exhibit shows this year including two with Monad NYC in Austin for South by Southwest Festival and here in Dallas. When I am not working on pursuing my love of photography, I devote time to volunteering and currently volunteer for a few organizations around Dallas including the Dallas Police Association/Assist the Officer Foundation and Project Beauty.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
God has definitely put me through some difficult life tests. I went through a very difficult divorce at a young age before I met my current husband. Shortly after that divorce I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and learning how to live with an autoimmune disease at a young age was also a significant challenge. In November 2021, I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and that was life changing. Many of us never think about the automatic functioning of our bodies until a major gland is removed and suddenly you must learn to live differently and remember to take a pill every day to stay alive. It is for these reasons that I am grateful to lean on my friends and family and excited about this next chapter in my career to prioritize my creative passion for photography.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My photography has come a long way from an inexperienced hobby to now something I am proud to focus on as a new career. I am available for hire for a variety of important life milestones such as new career headshots, baby and bridal showers, engagement photos, weddings, special events and more. Although, when it’s just me and my camera, you can usually find me taking pictures of the beauty that is the wildflowers of Texas. I am a professional and I am also an artist. I am a counselor and a photographer. I will always have a serving heart and want to help others whether it’s through my professional work or my volunteer work. And I’m excited for this next transition in my life.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is my family, my friends, my dogs, my creativity, helping others, and being able to live life as fully as possible. The love and support I receive from the people and animals in my life, along with having an outlet for my creativity and opportunities to help others, give my life meaning and purpose. Without these sources of support and fulfillment, I would feel lost. I believe having people who care about you and being able to do the things you love are essential parts of being human. These connections and passions give us strength, help us navigate life’s challenges, and remind us to appreciate and make the most of the life we have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jephoto.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/txjen91
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jephotography2017
