We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenn Hogue and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jenn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I think it’s changed over the last fourteen years, originally I wanted to do something I was really passionate about, but I feel like I was kind of all over the place in the sense of what I was wanting to do johndra wise. I did family, newborns, weddings, seniors and while I was making money- it wasn’t filling me up, I hadn’t found my nitch, the one thing that made me go “YES, yes this is it” As I grew and my photography and me as a person was shaped I discovered I wanted to tell a story about authenticity and connections. It was the images that weren’t perfect but made you stop and look longer, that pulled something out of you. It was about saving a moment that pushed me forward.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is very personal for me, I feel like everything I create is an extension of who I am and the moments I’ve been allowed to tell. As the years have progressed, I’ve limited the amount of clients I take and begun to focus less on quantity and more on quality and building more connections with the clients I do have and making a few direction changes in what I am photographing. I think the one thing I am the most proud of, is my body of work, a gallery of thousands of images that share moments in someone’s life that will tell their story forever. I am excited that I’ve helped so many leave a memory for their loved ones to come. A ticket back to a moment that was important them.
It hasn’t been easy, there are so many photographers in Colorado and we each bring something to the table-to stand out in a crowd of thousands for so many years has defiantly come with a lot of learning curves, late nights and tears. Lets be real, when I started this industry was gaining validation as a profession, it was lonely at times. We didn’t share our secrets, our locations, camera settings, editing tips…you had to figure it out and sometimes it was not always pretty getting there. But I also feel that is what made me a solid photographer-the trials and errors that took me through my fourteen years as a portrait photographer has made me confident and solid in my skills and talent.
I am not for everyone, I am not big on perfect, I don’t like taking away the flaws in my work, but rather embracing them. I am corky, over zealous and in love with the moments I get to share with the people in front of my camera. My brand is about being real, about loving the experience just as much as the end result hanging on your wall, or as your iphone background.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a Colorado Native but just recently came to call Denver my home. The mountains are defiantly my favorite place, but downtown Denver has got a lot to love!
Upon picking them up at the Denver Airport we would defiantly have to swing by the Rocky Mountain Arenol and say hello to the bison and the deer! That evening we’d grab a beer and a pizza in Olde Town Arvada, because that is where I live, at our favorite stomping ground the Olde Town Tap & Dough. after that a walk around downtown to listen to the nightlife and finish it off garbing a tasty treat from Scrumptious. Their unique ice cream flavors should not be missed!
Day two we’d head out to Boulder, CO for a challenging but very rewarding hike through the flatirons to the Royal Arch and take in that view! That’s an Instagram must! Afterwards we’d head into town to walk around 16th street mall and spend some time enjoying the shops and street performers. We’d pop into Illegal Pete’s for some cold beverages and HOT food! That evening we’d kick it back with a little secret spot to enjoy the sunset and a cool Co evening.
Day three it’s time to head into down town Denver and spend the day at the Denver Art Museum! Afterwards we will visit City Park and have a picnic. May even take a ride in one of their tandem bicycles or the swan paddle boat!! Then its off to bed early cause tomorrow we are hitting up Rocky Mountain National Park nice and early for a sunrise hike up Mills Lake!
Day four up at 3am and headed to Rocky Mountain National Park, arriving by 5am we will be able to find parking at the trail head and should be just to the lake prior to Sun rise! It’s a fairly easy to moderate trail, but be sure to bring a head lamp and pack accordingly for ever changing weather! After our hike we will head back into Estes for lunch at the Wild Rose, best buffalo burgers around and the view is perfect for people watching. Then we can walk around down town, grab a souvenir or two and be sure to stop into Laura’s fine candies for a sweet treat before we say goodbye. That evening we’d take the Tram from Olde Town Arvada/Wards Station to Denver’s historical Union Station where we can have dinner at the Mercantile. After dinner we can walk the sixteenth mall or if we are too tired from our hike, grab a scooter and cruise instead.
Day five we will have brunch at the Breadwinners restaurant in Olde Town and hit up the Butterfly Pavilion to share a cool little spot for some bug watching and more insta images! For dinner we will have some amazing Thai at one of our favorite restaurants, Tuk Tuk Bistro and call it an early evening as we drive our friends back to the airport the next morning.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My clients, they are the ones that trusted me to tell their stories, they are the ones who came back time and time again and allowed me into the most intimate times of their lives to capture it with my lens. Without them, I would not be who I am-the photographer or the women. I’ve been apart of some amazing moments, weather its been a baby’s first breath into this world or a women fighting cancer to a blushing bride wiping a tear from her fathers face…I’ve been allowed the trust, love and encouragement of some of the most amazing people!
Website: Under Construction
Instagram: jenn_hogue_photography and hello_gorgeous_boudoir_
Facebook: Jenn Hogue Photography
Other: jennhoguephotography@gmail.com
Image Credits
Jenn Hogue Photography