Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenni Durnin.
Hi Jenni, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi! Thank you so much for having me! In college, I joined a campus outreach program that provided tailgating photos for students. These photos were incredibly basic, shot with a simple digital point-and-shoot, and they consisted of me walking up to various groups of people and saying, “Can I grab a photo of you?” The photos were just groups of people in their black and gold attire, smiling at the camera. But it was that experience that made me realize, I find joy when I’m behind the camera. I very quickly went on to add a double major in fine art photography and started shooting small weddings.
It’s been a journey to get here, however. When I graduated college social media was just getting started and there weren’t nearly as many resources on how to start and grow a business, so I set my dreams aside and went into corporate marketing. I worked a few jobs and just felt empty like something was lacking. But I assumed that’s just what it meant to be an adult.
It wasn’t until 2020 when I was laid off that I finally decided it was time. I started my business and haven’t looked back.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. It’s been a long journey and a constant stream of education. For photography itself, I’ll always be learning new techniques, more about my equipment, and finding sessions that really set my soul on fire. But also, the entrepreneurial journey is never easy. It’s a constant battle of marketing, pricing, customer service, and social media. When you’re an entrepreneur or a small business, you do it all and that can be overwhelming.
We’ve been impressed with Jenni Lauren Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a portrait and wedding photographer with a passion for pure joy. My goal is to capture those in-between moments, the subtle glances to the all-out-laughter. Every session needs those static images, you know the ones, “smile and look at the camera!” Those are the photos for your grandmother to frame over her fireplace, but the little moments when you think I’m not paying attention, those are the shots I live for because that is you. It’s in those moments that you showcase your story best.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Photography is ever-changing. In just the short amount of time, I have been a photographer (officially and unofficially) it has changed tremendously. We went from having natural grain on film cameras to no grain on the new digital cameras, and now we’re back to adding grain in during the editing process as a style choice. I can’t even try to predict what I think will be the next trend, honestly. But I do pray that people continue to see the value in photography and printed images. Especially printed images. This time in history is interesting because we take more photographs per hour than we did in all of the 1900s, but most of those images only exist in the ether. Once there is a technology shift, social media platforms shut down, or you get a new phone, those images are gone, but printed images are forever. Prints will be around for your kids and grandkids to laugh at. So that’s my hope, that this industry doesn’t become obsolete.
Contact Info:
- Email: jennilaurenphoto@gmail.com
- Website: www.jennilaurenphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennilauren_photography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennilaurenphotos
