Hi, I'm Jenna!

My Early Parenting Days

I was knee deep in potty training and diaper changes. It felt like our everyday lives could be summed up in one small phrase “putting out fires.” We were surviving parenting and juggling so many responsibilities. It seemed unending. I knew my mindset about life was in need of a complete overhaul if I was going to make it through “the drudgery” of day-to-day parenting. Eighteen years is a long time to feel like you’re drowning. 

My 365 Projects

In January 2011, I embarked on a year-long commitment to taking a photo every single day for a year – what’s known as a 365 project. You know, because I didn’t have enough to do. And in true Jenna form, I decided each image needed to be mega awesome, hand edited and shared on social media daily. 

Somehow, I persevered and attempted to make every single image truly extraordinary. My creativity exploded and it became one of my favorite ways to document our fast-paced lives. Eventually I came to learn that my life was hugely comical, yet absolutely extraordinary. I didn’t have to fabricate anything at all. It was good, even the hard bits. 

This 365 challenge forced me to see our ordinary lives in a brand new way. I was forced to make eating, potty training, tooth brushing and grocery shopping look incredible. And I imagined it to be unsurmountable. But it wasn’t. It was actually pretty dang easy because my life truly was extraordinary, I just wasn’t seeing it. My images relayed the theme that WE WERE IN THIS TOGETHER, WE DO HARD THINGS BECAUSE WE CARE, and THERE IS SO MUCH LOVE IN THE IN-BETWEEN.   

What Actually Matters

This renewed vision of my own life encouraged me to see things differently; real life is bold, adventurous, and lazy.

Living an authentic life is SO important to me. In fact, it’s something I actively remind myself of every single day. Are you being genuine, Jenna? How’s your integrity holding up? Are you listening to you? 

Overcoming Perfection and Embracing our Everyday

With documentary photography, I’m giving myself and the families I photograph the freedom to own who they are and celebrate it. I want my clients to cast aside the “perfect highlight reel” mentality and get on living. I know what crosses our minds is, my house is too small, my decor… well, what’s decor anyway, I need to lose some weight, my kids are too old… the list of excuses are irrelevant with documentary photography because you are turning expectations directly on their head and confirming, none of that is important! What is real, is in fact okay. We are good just as we are. There is nothing we need to change. Our photos will reflect who we actually are and THAT IS AWESOME!

Your non-traditional family session will change the way you see yourself and your family. I promise. Allow me to show how your ordinary lives are so damn incredible. Get in the frame – let your kids see how  you look at them. I can help you celebrate life as it is, unfiltered and raw amazingness. Practice gratitude and self-love by handing over the camera and stepping into the limelight. You sure as hell deserve it.

Waiting on the Sidelines

Before you start making excuses about how it’s not the right time or that you want to photograph something “worthwhile”, be honest with yourself. Is there a better time than now? Will there ever be a perfect time to book? We all know the answer is no. Today is the right day. Whatever stage you’re in now is a good one and most definitely deserves documenting. 

Going for it!

Once you see your images, you’ll feel elated and proud. Your printed images will serve as a daily reminder of who you are and what you value. Nobody in the world will have the same photos as you – they’re as unique as you are. Your kids will feel validated by seeing images hanging on the wall that truly depict their personalities, and serve as a constant reminder of your unconditional love for them. You’re essentially saying to them, “you get to show up in this world just as you are – your truth is important to me and deserves celebrating.“

My hope is that you’ll all walk away having had a fun and relaxing experience in front of the camera, an immense amount of gratitude for the people in your life, and a newfound perspective on beauty and living your authentic life. 

I can’t wait to show you how amazing your life already is. The polished family portrait needs a revamp. Let’s revolutionize family photography together. You in?

More About Me

I’m not just good at bathing dogs, I can also play a mean game of Kubb and I’m freakishly good at laser tag. Being outside makes me happy, unless it’s cold – then, I’m kind of a wimp. I’m a super health freak and force my family to eat mostly plants. They’ll thank me later! (I hope) If you’re thinking about hiring me as your photographer, I know we’d already be great friends, because it probably means that like me, you love your family and see the beauty in your ordinary moments throughout the day and want to remember them. It would be my absolute pleasure to capture it all for ya. So please, reach out! I’d love to connect with you and learn more about your family!