Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Funk.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up on a farm just outside of Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada. I was never good in school and new that I was not university material…I somehow graduated not knowing my 6, 7 or 8 times tables and to this day truly believing that of should be spelt “uv.” Needless to say, traditional school was never my strong suit. As a kid I didn’t even know that art school was an option. I knew that I was good at visual design but I didn’t know that there was a place where you could go with like minded people to school and study art.
When I found out that art school existed I moved to Los Angeles and studied visual communications at the fashion Institute of design and merchandising. Those was years in school completely changed my life, they made me think of myself in a new way, that I was amazing and someone who should be feared competition in the work environment! As a child I didn’t know that I could be good at anything. Traditional school teaches you that if you can’t do Math, Science and English you’re a dummy, but when I went to art school I knew that I had found my lifelong passion.
Going to school I thought that I would do visual design for a corporate company a happy 9-5. My mind was blown when I got to experience so much more than that! I was fortunate enough to work with large corporate companies doing global window displays, music video design for past Disney Channel stars, design for commercial sets in over 12 different countries and my own work as a designer under my name for corporate events with a small team that was employed by me. During this time of working and growing my name in Los Angeles, I met my now husband.
My husband is one of the best things to ever happen to me. He is encouraging, believes in my goals and vision for my life as a designer and is willing to help me succeed. He has helped me to believe in myself and value my work and trust my skill set.
He is a US marine and with that I chose the day I married him to always choose to travel with him. That meant finding a medium of art that allowed for travel as set design is based in many major cities. Photography was that medium.
I started out doing mini family sessions, couples sessions and anything that put s buck in my pocket. The problem was I never had a passion for it, but when I began shooting boudoir, something just clicked.
Being able to empower a woman is the best job in the world.
So often women live their lives comparing themselves to others. I’m guilty of this myself. But to have a woman come in nervous, hating parts of her body and wishing she liked like this or that. And leaving after seeing her images with a net perspective of herself! There’s nothing better! With the right pose and the perfect lighting and a bit of direction it’s a sweet combo for a stunning photo!
I have chosen to keep my prices low intentionally. I have family, friends and competition that encourage me to raise my prices, but as a military spouse I don’t think it’s right. I don’t believe women should have to pay a months rent for a handful of images.
I do stress about moving and making a name for myself again, but then I have to trust that it will all work out!
Great, 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?
With any medium of art there are challenges.
I truly believe that artist are a different breed of human. We are tougher on ourselves than the average Joe. For myself after a session I critique my work, the overall feel of the session and the response of each woman after she receives her edited images. While it’s fully to say I feel vulnerable behind the camera when someone is in lingerie in front of my lens, having someone like your work is still makes me feel vulnerable. “Will she like her images?” “I haven’t heard anything, does she hate them?” But then I have to come back to reality and remember if she hated me and my work, she wouldn’t have come to me and she probably would’ve left a negative review!
Finding a quality makeup artist who shows up on time, with makeup on her face, produces quality work and doesn’t cost more to hire than what I’m paid for a shoot is a huge struggle!
There are other challenges like not being in “actual” San Diego. I am based in the small military town of Oceanside. Many girls make the commute but to be located in San Diego would be amazing!
Apart from that military wives are amazing! And I love you, they love you! They will share your name and your work to everyone they know and encourage that person to experience what they did! Word-of-mouth has been so phenomenal for me and my business! Well there are pros and cons to every environment you live in being in the military environment with military wives has been one of the best and most positive things for me and my business!
The Boudoir Babes – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Boudoir Babes is a boutique size boudoir company.
I know that my boudoir is different from most boudoir studios. I like to work with suggestive rather than an in your face image. I use shadows and poses to change the way typical boudoir is shot. My signature shot that all women want is the booty shot! I post women in a way so that they booty, no matter the shape or size comes out perfect!
As a company I am so proud to know that I’ve been focused on primarily boudoir for 6 months and it’s exploded far greater than I could have ever imagined. It’s hard to keep up some days and that can be super overwhelming but completely amazing at the same time!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Throughout my career as a visual artist, I have seen success on a global level and have again and again been blown away at how awesome it is to have your work be displayed in places like London, Dubai, Vegas, ect.
With boudoir, I am a new name and have goals that I would like to see happen. While my photography has not been featured globally like my set design was, there have been countless proud moments as a boudoir photographer. Receiving messages from women who view their bodies in a different and more positive way after receiving their images is the best thing! Bumping into a boudoir client at the grocery store and her husband showing me his, that the images I took of his wife is his screen saver is so cool! There are so many small moments that keep me working towards bigger goals of female empowerment!
Pricing:
- Packages start at $150
- Hair and makeup is included
- Military discounts are offered
Contact Info:
- Address: 3867 Sherbourne Dr
- Website: www.boudoirbabesphotography.com
- Phone: 619-600-1388
- Email: info@boudoirbabesphotography.com
Image Credit:
Jenna Funk
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