Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Jolley.
Hi Jenny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2017, I was a girl with a thrift store camera, tiny apartment, and a dream! I scoured the internet for all the free resources I could find so I could learn how to use my camera, how to find good locations for sessions, and how to run a business. I was a 23 year old in my first-year of teaching and if I wasn’t in the classroom or consuming photography-related videos and blogs, I was out putting in hours with my camera, asking anyone who would be willing to get in front of my lens to pose with ideas I found on Pinterest. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t the most fun time. It definitely took awhile to get the ball rolling! That being said, I found a passion that could not be stopped after I shadowed a local photographer at a wedding. I was instantly all-in: I KNEW I wanted to be a professional photographer. After a year of being a second photographer for other wedding photographers, I started booking my own weddings in 2019. Now, over 8 years since I started, I have photographed over 150 weddings and I have called my wedding photography business my full-time job for over a year!
Alright, 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?
If you want a “smooth road”, do NOT run your own business. RUN! Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but there have absolutely been struggles along the way! I love taking photos on wedding days and at engagement sessions, but taking photos is about 10% of my job. Photography itself is creative, but owning a business is all about the numbers. In the beginning, I struggled with some scary words like taxes, marketing, expenses, and profit. With a steep learning curve, there was a lot of trial and error! To this day, I don’t use sales tactics to the full potential, because it’s not the way I want to run my business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a photographer that specializes in weddings! I would love to tell you about what I’m known for and what sets me apart, but I’ll let reviews from my amazing couples tell you instead:
“Jenny is a beautiful human in business and in life. Choose her.” – Katy, bride
“She went above and beyond.” – Matt, groom
“She is the hype woman of your dreams” – Kaylie, bride
“…The most selfless, supportive, and joyful photographer…” – Jenny, bride
“…the best decision we made for our wedding.”- Donna, bride
I am most proud of this right here – kind words from happy newlyweds! I have been so lucky to work with the best engaged couples and making them happy is number one for me!
How do you think about happiness?
Spending time with my husband! He has always been my biggest supporter and has never once wavered in his belief in me. We have been married for over 7 years now and started dating in 2012. We have endless inside jokes that make use giggle and every time he enters the room I’m in, I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders and any tension I was holding melt away.
An ice-cold, crispy Sprite at the end of a wedding day also makes me happy. That first sip is like therapy to me.
I love books! Listening to audiobooks and reading physical books has made my mental health is so much better. My goal is to read/listen to 100 books this year, so far I’m at 78 with 4 months left in the year!
I believe there’s nothing a breezy, partly cloudy, 60-70 degree weather day can’t fix. I’m happiest in shorts and a crewneck sweater!
Pricing:
- $4,100 – All Day Coverage (second photographer included!)
- $4,600 – All Day Coverage and an Engagement Session (second photographer included!)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jennyjolleyphotography.com
- Instagram: @jennyjolleyphotography
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jennyjolleyphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jennyjolleyphotography
