Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Faith Stephenson.
Hi Jenny Faith , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Once upon a time, if someone had asked me, “What’s your story?” I would have panicked. Not because I didn’t have one, but because I didn’t know how to tell it. Honestly, I still don’t have all the answers—but I’ve learned to be okay with that. Life isn’t meant to be a perfectly written script. It’s a series of evolving chapters, each shaped by change, growth, and the unexpected. Not knowing your story isn’t a problem, getting stuck in a chapter that no longer fits is.
For a long time, I was stuck in what I had thought I wanted.I followed the path I thought was expected out of me by society: finish school, go to college, get a stable job.I love caring for people, and naturally, I pursued nursing school. I made it through a full year, but deep down, something didn’t feel right. I should have felt fulfilled, instead I felt lost and like something was missing.
The following semester I enrolled in a photography class. Just as an elective. Just for fun. But something happened. I quickly found a passion I wasn’t sure I had; storytelling through photography. In this class I found my true passion in telling people’s stories through photos.
That class made me feel like I was a little kid all over again. Being a 2000’s baby, I remember being gifted my first ever digital camera; the camera itself was silver with a purple/blue hardshell case, and most importantly a light grey wrist strap. The wrist strap is the most important because it quite literally never came off of my wrist. This one elective had changed everything for me. I had my fire back. I was taken back to 6-year-old Jenny Faith running around with my camera glued to my hand always finding something to take pictures of.
So, I listened to the little girl in me and turned the page.
Walking away from the safety of the life I had planned for myself was terrifying, but it was also so freeing. In that decision, I realized it’s not about the plan I have for myself; rather the plan that God has for me. Life almost NEVER goes as we expect it to; that’s the beauty of it. Our stories aren’t meant to be static. They are meant to be lived, written, rewritten, and shaped by the risks we take and mistakes we make.
Today I was asked to answer a question I once would have panicked over “What’s your story?”. Today my answer is that my story is still being written and that’s exactly how it should be.
The best is yet to come for Picture Jenny Faith!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Obstacles and challenges have been a part of my journey every step of the way, but they’ve shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. One of the biggest challenges I have faced was overcoming the fear of failure and judgment when I decided to walk away from a stable career to pursue my art. It wasn’t just the fear of disappointing others, but also the fear of disappointing myself. I had invested so much time, effort and love into a path that seemed secure. It felt like stepping into the unknown was reckless. Deep down I knew I had to listen to that little voice inside of me that was calling me toward something different.
It wasn’t easy to shift my mindset from thinking that I had to follow a linear, prescribed path to realizing that life is meant to be dynamic. The pressure to “fit in” or follow what society considers a traditional success story was real. Even now, there are moments when I doubt whether I made the right choice.
Another major challenge for me is learning how to run a business while staying true to my art. I love the creative side of photography, but the reality of turning that passion into a sustainable business is a whole new beast. There are lots of trial and error moments— testing marketing strategies, putting myself out there every chance I get, managing current clients while also trying to find new ones, pricing your work and time(people don’t talk about how hard this is!!!), and the business side of it all. I am slowly learning to balance the work and play that comes with a photography business, but I can’t deny it can be a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a photographer and storyteller, my passion lies in capturing the raw, unscripted moments that make life truly beautiful. I believe the most powerful images aren’t staged—they’re felt. It’s about embracing the fleeting. The imperfect. The genuine. Through my lens, I strive to document the beauty that is in all the Lord’s creations—, those sacred, unguarded moments where love, joy, and connection effortlessly shine through. Rather than creating a moment, I let it unfold, preserving it exactly as it was meant to be—authentic, timeless, and true.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Every obstacle I’ve faced– from figuring out how to start a business from scratch to navigating the ups and downs of any career in the creative field –has been a lesson in itself. Each day, I’m reminded that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. The fear of failure is always present, but I’ve learned that you can’t fail if you don’t even try. I’d rather fail while trying rather than not trying at all. The truth is, failure is a part of the journey, and I believe it’s necessary for growth. It’s through those failures that I’ve truly learned what it takes to push forward.
I’ve also come to realize that there is always a lesson in every crisis. There’s something positive to take away from even the hardest situations. I wouldn’t be where I am today without experiencing failure. Being good at something is comfortable, but being truly spectacular means constantly evolving. If failure is what it takes to avoid mediocrity, then I’ll embrace it. Staying in a mindset where failure is welcomed isn’t easy, but that’s when the real growth happens. It’s not the failure itself that matters—it’s what comes after: the lessons, the growth, the constant improvement. And for me, that journey has been incredibly rewarding.
I also believe that the most important lesson throughout this journey has been rooted in my faith. The Lord has kept me grounded, and when I’m feeling lost, I turn to Him. Speaking my truth, embracing the discomfort, and allowing myself to make mistakes—this is where I’ve truly learned. You can’t grow without trial and error. Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I’ll never know what I’m capable of unless I try. So, I put my best foot forward in everything I do and keep pushing to be better. It’s exciting to think about where my photography journey will take me next, and I’m eager for what’s ahead. Picture Jenny Faith is just getting started, and the best is yet to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://picturejennyfaith.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picturejennyfaith/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566989913899
