Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen El-Haddad.
Hi Jen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi there. Thank you so much for having me!
I am a Charleston Wedding, Lifestyle, and Landscape Photographer, and the Owner of Jennifer Mary Photography.
My love for photography started as a young child with the need to take photos of EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING with disposable cameras or my mom’s film camera. I remember receiving my first camera in early-elementary school, and my parents gifted me a sticker Polaroid for Christmas. I felt the need to constantly take photos of everything in sight. Years later, as a Junior in high school, I decided to take Photography I; and learned how to process and develop black & white film. I was hooked!
I quickly realized that I had a true passion and love for photography. I even started to do my high school boyfriend’s photography projects because I loved to be in the darkroom so much!
While applying to universities, I started to explore Photography programs and attended several Portfolio Days. I landed at Shepherd University (GO RAMS!), located in Shepherdstown, WV. It was exactly what I needed; a small liberal arts school only an hour and half from home.
In 2010, I started Jennifer Mary Photography as a class project; I was a sophomore Photography/Computer Digital Imagery student. My small business escalated to Senior Portraits, Proms, and Graduations. I continued this as a part-time gig through college.
In December 2013, I graduated with my BS in Marketing and a minor in Photography/Computer Digital Imagery. I slowly felt the creativity being sucked from my soul as I entered the corporate world. Eventually, I felt like I had to put JMP on a hiatus. Somewhere in the hustle and bustle of the corporate world, I applied for a promotion and relocated to Charleston, SC from Baltimore, MD at the end of 2017.
Fun fact, I moved 5 days before Charleston’s first snow storm in almost 2 decades, and the whole city shutdown for several days!
Fast forward to 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I felt the need for a creative outlet again. So, I did what I knew best, I picked up my camera and headed down to Folly Beach, SC. In March 2021, I applied for my South Carolina LLC and local business licenses and made my business official while working as a Marketing and Social Media Coordinator. At the end of May 2021, I was laid off for the second time in 9 months; this was my sign. I was tired of companies and my bosses having control over my life and happiness. While actively applying for Marketing positions, I plunged headfirst into my business. After several months of applying, interviewing, and having offers taken right from under me, I decided enough was enough and I was the happiest I had ever been in my career. I was taking on more and more clients and started selling my landscape prints at local markets.
In August 2021, I was accepted as a Night Market vendor at the Charleston City Market. You can still find me at the Night Market and Charleston City Market a few times a month.
Between August and December 2021, I took on 6 weddings, 45 sessions, and 55 markets! I really couldn’t have been more excited with how quickly my business took off!
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?
My biggest struggle has been accepting that I cannot do everything myself. I have learned to give myself grace and accept that I cannot stretch myself too thin, as I did for years working for others.
The biggest difference between now and then is when I get sick, there’s no one else to run Jennifer Mary Photography. There’s no sick leave or PTO. So, I have learned to schedule a 3-4 hour “lunch break” once a week to go to the beach or take a nap. Sounds crazy and silly, but as a small business owner, I catch myself working 7 days a week most of the time. So, I really need to give myself that grace and downtime.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Wedding, Lifestyle, and Landscape Photographer. I absolutely LOVE shooting surprise proposals and am a hopeless romantic myself!
I am the proudest of everything I have accomplished in the last year. I took what should have been a devastating circumstance and built my business. I dove in head first and come out making my dream a full-time gig!
What sets me apart from others is my customer service. I have been in a customer service-based industry and/or role for as long as I can remember. That being said, I always try to personalize all my interactions with my clients. I follow up in a timely manner, reach out for feedback, and check-in after a client has downloaded their galleries. I want my clients to come back for another session, whether that means next year when they’re back in Charleston or booking me for their engagement session and wedding after their Proposal.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My favorite podcasts are: Plucking Up with Liz, Forkin Bohannon, Emily Jordan Energy, The Big Sis Podcast, Oh Happy Day Podcast, and The Simplified Podcast with Emily Ley.
My Favorite Apps: HoneyBook (seriously my daily lifeline!), Instagram, and SheReadsTruth (for my daily devotionals!)
My favorite vlog is from Hope Taylor Photography, Hope releases a weekly YouTube vlog for photographers and it has been incredibly helpful.
Another resource I have invested in is I became a member of Women Entrepreneurs, Inc. I have met so many incredible women entrepreneurs through this networking group, and it has offered me so many resources.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jennifermaryphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennifermaryphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifermaryphotographyllc
- Other: www.jennifermaryphotography.com/blog
Image Credits
Jennifer Mary Photography
