Jeni. Jeni. Jeni. She is just that amazing that her name deserves to be chanted 3 times in a row from all the rooftops of the world!  Jeni and I connected out of photography group on Facebook and quickly became chatty with one another. She is the type of person that is soooo REAL…gracious, helpful, supportive, and totally up for anything and any blessing that comes her way.

I am sure you are starting to see a pattern with the type of people and photographers featured on these posts…they are all people we would be better off knowing and having in our lives. Photographers, such as Jeni, that inspire us to be better people both in our lives and in our businesses everyday. I hope you take a moment to read the interview below and learn a little more about this amazing individual and her amazing talent!

Without further ado….Jeni Brower!

1.Tell us something about your business and how long you have been a professional photographer?

I run a little Family Portrait business in Viola, Delaware that focuses on Wall Portrait installations. I spend time travelling anywhere from our local Delaware Beaches, Downtown Dover Historic buildings, Amish Country, and Family Farms doing in-home consultations, viewing presentations and on-location sessions. I make it personal for my clients because, I care about the meaning behind the portrait more than what just a pretty picture can provide. By the time their new Family Art is installed on the wall in their home, we’ve created a beautiful piece of art and a focal point that shows how much they value their family to everyone who walks into the home. This can go a long way for a tired Mom, Dad, boy, or girl after a long day and there’s still much more to do. It can be a reminder of why we do what we do every day. We treasure our families and so we want to honor them. Family wall portraits are one of my favorite ways we get to do just that.

2. What is one thing you have done this past year to improve your business?

I re-launched my business pipeline this past Fall. In October 2010, I bought a dslr and a business license then, declared myself open for business. Friends were really excited and paid me to take their picture. I wanted nothing but the best for my business and knew I had a very long way to go. The more I learned about photography, the industry and business, the more I knew how much I wanted to learn before I felt comfortable really going for it. So, this past year, I stepped back for a few months and worked on myself, my relationships, and personal responsibilities at home while I learned my camera inside and out. I hired a business coach and Mentor, set my pricing at industry standard which reflected how much I value my time, myself, and my work. I put into place a pipeline that creates value for my client. I learned how to find resource in every experience. But, most importantly, I learned to have compassion for myself and others; to notice what’s current reality in my life, interrupt it if necessary, and go again. Every day. No matter what. I am building my business one step at a time. Some days, it’s clear what the next step is. Some days, I need to slow down before I can see it. The process is beautiful and I am thankful God blessed me and my family with all that I learned in 2012.

…whew! That one choked me up, Kaitlin – Thanks for asking 🙂

3. Where are you located? Do you travel?

I am located in Viola, DE. You may have never heard of it. Really small town.

We’ve lived in our home for 13 years. Recently we decided we want to live near the beaches and are looking to move to Lewes, DE. Really excited!! …and nervous, a little bit.

4. What is your approach to photography? Define your style?

Great question. First I connect with my client in a meaningful way. That’s most important to me. It’s the moment I spend time building toward, from the first meeting with my client. We talk about what values they have as a family. What they like doing together. We choose a location that might hold special meaning to them. Usually, it’s someplace they has spent a lot of time together. Other times, it’s simply in their home or a beautiful place they’d like to enjoy for the day. I study how I’d like to photograph them, long before I reach for my camera. I set them up in the best light and give initial direction. Then, we start shooting and talking. Light has become something I study everywhere I go now. I talk about it with my Husband or friends whenever we are together. I find that I learn easiest when I can teach it to someone else. My style is something that I am getting clearer on every day. I love strong and timeless images. I wait for the moment when my client looks at me or another person with them in that relaxed authentic way. Perfectly content and beautiful. Whether laughing or solemn, that’s my favorite moment.

 

5. When did you notice you had a passion for photography?

I remember being compelled to take my childrens photos. Non-stop. Late Summer, 2010, we spent a weekend exploring together on Rye Beach, New Hampshire. I was permanently attached to my beat up camera I’d slung around my back for 5 years. Just a tiny 5x optical zoom Kodak easy-share. Always on automatic. Don’t hate. I composed the heck out of some images. I learned what angles I liked over these years. Much later I would see what I couldn’t see then. I took some of my favorite photos of our kids to this day, with that sweet little digital camera. Then, facebook came along and friends started to ask me to take their pictures. A good friend was getting married in October 2010 and had “no budget” for photos. So, I thought I’d offer to help out in that way. In order to get her the best photos I could at the time, I borrowed a friend’s dslr & macbook with editing software. Life hasn’t been the same for me since that weekend. Soon after, I bought my own gear and began the journey that has brought me here to this interview.

 

6. Most REWARDING part of your job is?

I get to take pictures for a living. Duh? 😉

I’m kidding. I really have to say that, up until now, the most rewarding thing is the impact it has on my life and others. It’s a whole new way of being for me. It spills into everything I do and say. It’s not just taking pictures for me. It’s everything that leads up to it. Connecting with people and helping them see the beauty within themselves and within their family is the reward. It’s why I do what I do.

 

7. What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a photo shoot?

I ran over a water main pipe with my minivan after a session last year. It was very loud! My heart dropped to my toes! The crunch in the passenger door hinge still hasn’t been repaired.

8. Best advice you have been given in your photography career?

To consider whether I want to do whatever it takes to build a business that will thrive and last. Then, ask myself the hard questions, beginning with: Who are you, really? Not your titles but, on the inside – what are you about? Define it.

 

9. Best advice that you could give someone else that is pursuing a photography career?

The exact same advice that was given to me. It has been the foundation of everything I have built. And I would this add to it:

Don’t be so hard on yourself – just keep swimming 🙂

 

10. What is your biggest fear, we may have it in common….so please share!

Failure, of course. The what-if’s. But, I get to interrupt that fear with reality. Fear is a feeling. It has no power over me unless I give it permission.