Rising Stars: Meet Jenna Potts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Potts.

Hi Jenna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started back in Florida, where I was born and raised. I was in my early 20s and had just graduated from community college as a paraeducator. I wanted to become a teacher. Over summer, my aunt extended a job offer to me at a local bridal shop. I ended up falling in love with the wedding industry! I stayed at that store for six years and gained many great friendships with my coworkers and with my brides. One day, one of my associates and I were comparing photos on our phones and she said I would make a great photographer. I already had a burning desire to own my own business within the wedding industry, and her observation ignited a new flame within me: to combine my two passions and become a wedding photographer! For the first couple of years, I did free shoots while I self-educated on how to be a pro. I gradually started charging for my work as I became more skilled. I moved to Kansas during the onset of the pandemic and worked at a local bridal shop doing tasks that allowed me to keep socially distant. By November 2020, I realized I wanted nothing more than to be a photographer, so I relaunched my business. I serve the Northeast region of Kansas, including KCMO and surrounding cities.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I first started out, I didn’t know anything about being a pro photographer. It was like learning a foreign language! I dedicated a lot of my time learning these skills. I am grateful for all of my friends and family who allowed me to practice with them! I am also grateful for my friend in Florida, Tahnee Marea, who taught me a large chunk of what I know about wedding photography. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a photographer, I get to wear many hats: fashion stylist, wedding planner, emotional supporter, and day-of coordinator when there isn’t one present. I love every single aspect of it, too! My favorite part of my business is having fun with my client during the session and seeing their joy when they receive the final product. While I deliver digital copies of their photos, I also include select printed products that they can cherish for generations. Upon booking, I provide magazines with tips and advice to help make a smooth day.

Overall, my goal is to make things easy and fun. When I am photographing people, I am capturing natural emotions (I will absolutely say something ridiculous to make you laugh!). These elements play into my editing style, too- lively, energizing color that reflects the playfulness and romantic black and whites for those more intimate moments. Recently, a model I worked with told me it was the most fun photoshoot she’s ever experienced. It felt really good to hear that compliment from a person who has worked with multiple photographers!

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My client’s happiness is the world to me. A wedding is one of the most beautiful occasions a person can experience. It is an honor to be able to capture those memories for my clients; memories that they will share with their children and grandchildren. To capture the laughter and the tears… Dad walking his daughter down the isle and passing her hand to her husband’s; the flower girl dreaming of wearing her own wedding gown someday… these are magical moments that we want to hold onto forever. When my bride opens up her photobook and cries because of how precious those moments are to her, *I* am the one who is grateful. They chose me to be the person who helps transport them back to their special day. I deliver something that they get to happily relive every day, no matter how much time passes.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jlorinnephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlorinnephoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLorinnePhoto/