Meet Jenny Smith | Wedding and Elopement Photographer

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

Hi Jenny, how do you think about risk?
Risk is what ultimately got me here in the first place! I left teaching elementary school with no plan and no direction. I had gone through 5 years of undergrad in the education program, taught 3 years of preschool while I was in school, and graduated with my bachelors in Elementary education in 2021. My whole direction and future was in education and teaching. I had had a passion for photography since I was 14, and I started my little business taking senior photos throughout high school and college. I shot a few weddings during this time, but never saw it as a career for myself. When I left teaching pretty abruptly, I had a friend reach out and ask me to shoot her wedding for her. Something just resparked the love of photography through this, and I’ve been growing and rebranding my business ever since. Now I take risks constantly to grow my business. I’m investing in a trip to Greece this Spring to expand my international portfolio. Without these risks, there would be no growth!!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do describe my photography as art. I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, and this transferred so beautifully into photography. I specialize in documentary and cinematic storytelling photography. This means that there are less poses and f*ke moments, but rather true and meaningful moments that I capture during a session or wedding day. This approach means that I stand by and capture the day and moments as they come: tears, hand holds, hugs, laughs. I draw a lot of inspiration through movies and try to get angles that make you feel like you’re really in the moment with the couple or watching your favorite romantic drama.

I am so excited that people are drawn to this style of untraditional photography for their sessions and weddings. It helps me have freedom in documenting their day and it makes each session unique to the couple themselves. I am so excited to get more into destination weddings outside of Colorado. This year I’m headed to Santorini, Oregon, Las Vegas, and Utah.

I’ve been learning and teaching myself photography for 12 years now. I have second shot weddings and invested in photography education from other creatives, but it’s been a personal process of really figuring out my style and what feels like me. It has been years of shooting for free or really cheap to get content and practice my craft. I’m heading into my 2024 season almost completely booked with incredible destinations. I feel like this year is a huge turning point for my business.

A lesson I’ve learned along the way is to be humble and kind along each step of the journey. You never know what connection you’re going to make and how they can change your life. I’ve also learned that people will be unkind and always have something to say about your approach to business. However, if you stay true to your values and your goals, it’ll be okay.

I just got my rebranding done, and I really wanted something that represented my late grandpa, who gave me my first film cameras. He had a collection of beautiful film photos and cameras from his travels around the world. In my new branding, there is a marigold flower (the October birth flower) to represent him and what he meant to me. My brand represents the notion that photos are everlasting even when the people we love are not here anymore. They hold memories, people, and emotions. My goal in every session is to tell the stories of my clients.

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?
A place I always take my friends while visiting Denver is Tacos El Metate. They have the yummiest tacos and its one of my go to spots after a photo session. If you’re craving a good ramen on a cold day in Denver, Uncle Ramen is my favorite date night spot with my boyfriend. We have stood in an hour long wait line just to get our favorites there.

For city spots to spend time, I’m writing this from my favorite coffee shop, Honey Hill. It has the best raspberry mocha and it never fails me. One of my go-to’s! On summer afternoons, my favorite park is Wash Park. It’s perfect for an afternoon run with my dog or a sunset picnic with my roommates!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There is a cheer squad of people that have been in my corner throughout this whole process and this career change. Without my parents support and encouragement through something this big, I wouldn’t have been able to take risks and leave a career that was not fulfilling. They have always been helping me in so many ways all throughout my life.

The other person is my boyfriend. I truly would not be the person I am today without him. He has acted as a listening ear and a source of advice through every step of growing my business. He constantly encourages me to trust in God’s plan for my business and each decision I make. He’s the first person I show exciting inquiries to and photos that I’m proud of.

Website: www.jennyjaeminphotos.com

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