Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Burns.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was a child, my father developed his own film images in a dark room of our basement. Although I was interested, I was too impatient and preoccupied with sports and friends to take the time to learn what he tried to teach me.
In my 20’s, I visited him in Italy and inspired by the beautiful culture and architecture, I had the urge to pick up a camera. My father gave me his extra Nikon D70. It didn’t take long for me to realize how much there was to learn about lighting, posing, interacting with the subject, and knowing how to create a captivating image rather than taking an ordinary picture.
After some study and practice, I started to reach out to local photographers in social media groups and asked for some critique on my images. I’ll be honest, it was brutal at first, but I was very fortunate to have very talented photographers willing to take their time to provide feedback, offer workshops, and encourage me along the way. Photography made me a lifelong student as much as it has led me to some very talented and unique friends and opened my eyes to view this world from an entirely new perspective.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would say yes and no. I have a lot of inspiring and supportive people that are always there to give me an extra boost of confidence when I need it. One of the challenges I have had to work through was over studying the technical component of photography and allowing it to hinder my creative spirit.
I was getting wrapped up in making sure I was following all of the “rules”, it no longer felt like I was creating from the heart. Once I stopped worrying so much about all of the rules and allowed my heart to lead the process more, my images became more true to my personal style and artistic vision. This revelation coincided with my move to San Diego. This city has really helped boost the creative element in my work because of the diversity in my clientele and location options. Everyone is so spirited and cultured here and I love when that reflects in my work.
Please tell us about FreeSpirit Photography by Jennifer.
I offer portrait services for couples, families, and individuals such as high school seniors. I certainly would not turn down the opportunity to photograph pets as I am a dog lover myself. What is most exciting for me is photographing a couple and then being called back to photograph their maternity and family sessions. I love to be a part of capturing those important moments as a family continues to grow.
I also work on special projects such as collaborating with salon artists for before and after photos of makeovers. My favorite project is one I worked with my sister and we provided a makeover and portraits for a teen that had been bullied in her school and hometown.
Her makeover provided huge confidence boost for her and her mother cried with such pride when I delivered her portraits. It was extremely fulfilling to know we were able to use our own skills and talent to make a difference for the mom and daughter.
I want my company to be known for uplifting others and helping to preserve memories that will last for many generations. I feel very fortunate to know the images I helped create will be hung on the family wall, held by a proud parent or used in the future to tell great stories from a lifetime.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t know if I would have done anything differently. I am pretty happy with where I am right now. If I had to pick one thing, it would be to have listened to my father when he was trying to teach me at the younger age. I think it would have saved me a lot of time and I could have been enjoying the art of photography for much longer.
Pricing:
- Portrait Services Start at $300
Contact Info:
- Phone: 937-672-0852
- Email: freespiritphotographybyjenn@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespiritphotographybyjenn/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/FreeSpiritPhotographybyJenn/
Image Credit:
Emely Casteneda
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