Meet Jena Ulriksen | Wedding and Family Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jena Ulriksen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jena, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My business is based off the nickname my dad gave me growing up: Sunshine. My dad was my rock, he was my biggest supporter (of course, next to my mom!), and we were very close. He always gave me the best advice when I needed it, taught me the value of taking pride in your work, and encouraged me to try new things (like move across the country on a whim!) When he passed in March of 2023, the very first thing I did was search for current pictures of him, of him and me, of him and my family…etc. The only thing I had were very old images from the 90’s, and it left me with this very empty, disconnected feeling. So amidst the grief and the navigation of my new reality, I set out on a journey to help prevent anyone else from feeling the same sense of disconnection when their loved ones eventually move on from us. I was determined to capture everything- not just for myself, but now for my clients. I knew that building a business would take a lot of work, but I knew I could do it with my dad living on inside my soul, pushing me to capture life’s most sentimental moments to be remembered and adored for years to come.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the first thing that sets me apart from others is my ability to connect with people. I care about people and their story, and that will always take precedent over the business they can bring me. Without knowing people on a deeper level, I wouldn’t be able to capture their story in a unique way that is catered to them!

It absolutely was not easy to get to where I am today- this business throws me new curveballs often that I learn how to navigate around. I have learned to advocate for myself and my vision, and I’ve learned to walk away from things that didn’t fully resonate with me.

I want the world to know that my goal is to provide you with timeless imagery & video that can catapult you back in time to the exact moment it was created because you deserve to have your most sentimental memories preserved forever.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Colorado, I would take her to all of my favorite places along the front range. Day one, we’d explore downtown Denver and go to Biker Jim’s then a baseball game to watch the Rockies. Day two, we’d drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park, explore my favorite lakes in the park, and then go to the Stanley Hotel for dinner at the Post, drinks at 217 Wine Bar, and haunted ghost tour inside the hotel. Day three, we would hang out in Boulder and explore Chatauqua Park and Flagstaff Mountain. Maybe take a break the next day and chill at home before heading into the mountains to hit up some hot springs and some great views. I can’t let my friend go home without seeing the Maroon Bells and a concert at Belly Up, so maybe her last couple days we spend up there before I send her back home with some epic memories to hold onto forever!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh absolutely my dad but also my fiancé Jordan. They have had the most impact on pushing me to pursue this dream of mine. Without Jordan, I wouldn’t have had the courage to go full time with the business; I wouldn’t believe in myself as much as I do now. I fully believe that without his support and skills for videography, Sunshine Sentiments wouldn’t be where it is today!

Website: https://www.sunshinesentimentsphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinesentimentsphoto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunshinesentimentsphoto

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@Sunshinesentimentsphoto