We recently had the chance to connect with Jen Sulak and have shared our conversation below.
Jen, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I had a moment recently when I had some time off (vacation) around Cannon Beach, OR. I had hired a local photographer to capture me as ME! It isn’t often i spend time or money thinking about putting myself visible – most times I’m just focused on my clients! So the more I thought about this space I was going to, the more I wanted to do photos! I dressed in something completely comfy, colorful AND vibrantly me…and just let myself enjoy the happiness of the cold winds and good company. This both made me laugh AND gave a sense of pride to see myself newly and freshly in the summer season!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! I’m Jen and I’m beaming with excitement to share with you pieces of who I am. My heart’s desire is connection, community and creative endeavors that come out in my vocations of Photographer, Artist and Speaker. It has been quite the journey to go from working in an office full-time, wandering (and moving) around to have this sense of location stability to grow a small business and literally grow who I AM. For a little over 18 years now, I’ve followed the Photography path that has led me specifically to Weddings, under my Weirdo Weddings Photography brand in the last 5 years. (as of 2025)
AND Because I’m multi-faceted in my loves, I still pursue various art forms including sewing, mixed media, sculpting, crafting, small writing exercises and creating conceptual photo work. When I’m not doing the photo aspect, I’m also working on my speaking skills! I started ‘Pink Hair Jen’ a few years ago and haven’t looked back since. I not only have taken a few stages (and workshops/retreats) but I’ve had the pleasure of now hosting my own personal podcast ‘Tattoos and Toddlers’.
There is something about how life just makes sense when you lean into YOUR personal story that also meshes with others’ and their stories! It’s SO wonderful to have conversations!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
It wasn’t any ONE voice that told me, it was the cultures we are raised in. I thought by graduating high school and going to college …it was the ONLY option to move forward as an adult. There were many careers presented to me, but none of them really were shined on as creative ones. So, at that time – the world told me, just get a job pay your bills and that’s it. The more I lived and breathed, the more I realized there was MORE to me than just someone punching a time clock. I could be a ‘good’ daughter, a good friend and a good worker – but where was the passion and personality? I realized as time went on, I had DEEP desires for true community, not just coworkers. I wanted to CREATE without limits and permissions, but it always felt part-time. When I met the love of my life, everything was shifting and changing. I was able to pursue more things than I ever have, simply because I had a partner that understood & cared to see me BECOME me.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
In 2018, I was in a darker place that most times of my life. I NOW (looking back) realized that I believed no one was listening or WANTED to listen to me, be me. I felt that no one wanted to know the real me, so I kept showing up as a version of myself. Completely alone inside, dying to be seen (and loved). Even my husband didn’t understand. Quite frankly, I too didn’t understand what was going on.
I was at a photography convention and we were doing an exercise with each other. We had to partner up with 2 people, and I was partnered with someone that genuinely looked at me and asked questions. They were DEEP questions and the type of questions where I felt ok to share. Once I shared, I realized that I also was still holding back and something broke in me. This person didn’t just listen, THEY HEARD ME.
At some point in the exercise…I was almost embarrassed to show my feelings about who I was and who I am…but I did cry while we finished. After that, I went to the bathroom sobbing. It felt like forever. I couldn’t figure out WHY my dams of emotions were bursting like a flood. It was like something was switched on and I couldn’t turn if off anymore.
I stood in the bathroom sobbing and thinking “what is it! what is THIS!”…and eventually I came to the conclusion that someone actually cared about me. It was the only thing I could get at the moment. It didn’t mean it all went away, but for the first time in a while – I found a spark that ignited me to get some help. I had truly believed I was unlovable and couldn’t receive from ANYONE. It was life-changing. From that point on, a huge piece of my life healing happened. I’m ever so grateful!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
That we HUMANS on this planet can address our internal struggles and conflicts to resolve the conflicts of this world. There is resolution and revolution when we desire it. But, if we are instantly prone to write people off – there will never be opportunity to grow, change and maybe even realize WE need to change as well. We over-complicate and forget some of the simple things of life – the things we’ve been told as truths, MIGHT not even be truths. This is some of the hardest work we’ll ever do. ….is uncover WHO WE ARE beyond the labels, myths, lies and more. These things can separate us instead of unite us. My hopes is that we all continue to learn from each other…and recognize human to human and spirit to spirit.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the MOST at peace when I can take of all of my hats and responsibilities and just be present and myself. I cannot do this all the time because I am always thinking of my spouse and my child. I don’t normally just ‘be’ some days. But my MOST peaceful self is in those moments where I’m just me…not even trying to be anything else. I have SO MUCH PEACE flowing in the midst of that… I truly want it for everyone. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinklightimages.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdoweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weirdoweddings/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weirdoweddings
- Other: Weddings: weirdoweddings.com
Speaking: pinkhairjen.com
Image Credits
Haystack Rock: Sarah McAllister Photography
Star Trek: Don Pearce
Fire: Shinu John Photography
Ren Faire: Trey Hernandez Media
Blue Man Group: Jason Halter
BTS in Chicago: Shutterblade (Megan Sontag)
