Meet Jenna Wren | Owner and Lead Photographer

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

Hi Jenna, why did you pursue a creative career?
My entire life I have been drawn to the arts and creativity. I would get lost in a book for hours as a little girl, dance around my house, and write page after page in my journals. I loved carrying a camera on our family vacations, and I was continuously drawn to the beauty in nature around me. I think I naturally was drawn to a creative, artistic career even at a young age. I loved gymnastics and dance, and I wanted to pursue those professionally. I loved the challenge of performance, the beauty of flow and movement, and the way music lifted me off the floor. In college, I really shut that part of myself down in pursuit of a practical or guaranteed job. I came very close to minoring in dance with a desire to teach, but I talked myself out of it because I didn’t think it would get me anywhere. I feel so much for that young girl! After I graduated from college, my husband bought me a digital camera as a gift. I fell in love with this new art form, and I would spend all of my free time outside of my job as a highschool English teacher shooting, editing, and scouting the most beautiful lighting. I felt like I was back in touch with my artistic soul. I felt like I could breathe. Over time, I realized that I truly could turn this work into a passionate, successful career. I soon realized that not only was it bringing so much joy to my artist soul, but it was becoming quite profitable. With my amazing husband and business partner’s support, I left education in pursuit of wedding photography full time. Now that I shoot film in most of my work, I truly know I am living my dream of a creative career. I am so grateful for this work. There is truly nothing like looking down the lens as a witness to my beautiful couple’s love stories.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a fine art wedding photographer, which to me means I pursue both the artistry of my brand and the success of a well balanced business as a wedding photographer. The fine art approach is quite a vague concept, but at the core of my business I see the fine art approach as an intentionally curated approach to my clients’ wedding day imagery.

As an entrepreneur, I have realized the importance of finding my voice as a woman and an artist. I have come to embrace the truth within myself and my faith that I value a women’s right to freedom in the pursuit of her dreams and a life full of abundance. I value education as a means for women to pursue their dreams, and I value a girl’s right to choose whom she marries. As a part of these core values within my business, I joined Vow for Girls in 2020 to support their vision to end the international child marriage crisis. I find great joy in celebrating women pursuing their dreams and supporting girls as they find freedom in their lives. I want to see more girls and women free to pursue the life they have envisioned for themselves. I was given the gift of that freedom, and I cannot imagine a world where other women are not given the same freedom I enjoy daily. I want this to continue to be a cornerstone of my business and brand.

The road to get to this level in my business was certainly not easy. I have had to challenge myself, put myself out there, and take risks that are not necessarily guaranteed a return. I have learned how to take calculated risks in my work that allow my work to flourish, while keep me excited and challenged as a business owner. As a wedding photographer, I think there is a definite risk in the work I pursue. My couples cannot redo their wedding day moments, so I find anticipation and risk in my preparation for their day. I ensure that my equipment is in excellent condition, that my processes are smooth and clear, that I am fully aware of each part of their timeline and details, and I work continuously at being at the top of my game for their day. I love the challenge and risk of shooting film within my work. I find I have to know exactly how I am going to shoot the moment. Once the shutter has been pressed on my film camera, I won’t see the result of those captures for several weeks until they are back from the film lab. I know my work and equipment inside and out, so that while the risk of shooting film is just that, a risk. I know that it is a very calculated risk that I am fully prepared for. My second shooter photographs the moments from start to finish digitally to ensure we back up our clients’ day. However, for me, I love the rush of loading film, checking the lighting on my meter, posing my couple, breathing out slowly and taking the shot.

In my personal life, I am always challenging myself to grow. I set goals each quarter towards health and wellness, new business ventures, family connection, travel, and education. The risks I seek have created a level of joy, intentionality, and excellence in my career. Being willing to take those risks has opened wonderful doors for me, especially the last couple of years.

I am most proud of a recent publication set to be released through Magnolia Rouge soon. This was a massive labor of love, and it tells a story that it very unique to my work and the wedding industry. The editorial shares the voice I have longed to find in my work as a creative, and I am so honored to have partnered with so amazing vendors all across the globe for this shoot.
Stay tuned for this feature soon!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh I love this question! One of my favorite spots to take friends is Garden of the Gods. I love finding a quiet day during the week to drive through, then park and walk the trails. I think Garden of the Gods is one of Colorado’s most stunning hidden gems.

I also love taking guests on Highway 24 through what I would consider the back way to the mountain towns for those of us who live in Colorado Springs. I would plan a day trip to Vail, so they could experience the farmer’s market in the summer and early fall. I love just about any spot for coffee and brunch in our mountain towns, so just being able to explore new spots with our friends is always a blast!

Colorado is so picturesque year-round, so I enjoy just getting to show off our gorgeous home to guests. Denver is an awesome place to visit as well. Most of my friends love brunch (who doesn’t, right!?), so I would have to take them to my favorite spot Syrup in downtown Denver. There truly is so much to enjoy in Colorado, and I could talk about places to take our friends all day long!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The most important factor behind my success within my brand is my faith. I have always been a deeply spiritual person, and I have found that pursuing a career in the arts calls for a purpose, faith in the risks I take, and often divine inspiration. It is through my faith that I have found my voice and my success as a wedding photographer. My husband has also been an incredible support and factor behind my success. He has always believed in me, prays for me each time I step out in new ventures, and photographs weddings alongside me. I also see the value of relationships in pursuing a business. I have some incredible relationships in the wedding industry that have helped me find my voice, supported me through each new risk I take, and encouraged me by sending clients my way. I am grateful for the beautiful relationships my business has allowed me to build. I recently joined WIPA Colorado which has been one of the great ways to build relationships on an even deeper level.

This past year, I have had the joy of connecting with so many industry wide professionals. I have loved connecting with other local creatives like Amy Merritt of Amy Merritt Hair and Make Up, who has become a dear friend of mine. We frequently bounce ideas off each other, and we created a beautiful editorial recently that we just found out will be published in Magnolia Rouge. I am so grateful for connections like Cat Galletti, Hannah Quintana, and Melanie Jannicelli Shutt with Kimberly Rose Events. I find that having the encouragement and support of these creatives has challenged me and grown my perspective beyond just my own business. In 2020, I joined a mentorship with KT Merry and have had the opportunity to grow so much through her mentorship and education. This opportunity has also brought incredible people like UK based wedding photographer Abul Shah of Gracious Photography into my life and so many other friends all across the globe. We connect with each other frequently over Zoom and through WhatsApp. Their support and encouragement means everything to me.

Website: www.jennawrenphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennawrenphotography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennawrenphoto

Other: www.pinterest.com/jennawrenphoto

Image Credits
Kira Goff (headshot)