Which appeals to you? In the studio? Or outside?

We’re fortunate that we can ponder this year-round. Here in Florida, not only is the weather wonderful 90% of the time, but the scenery is beautiful, too. I’m sure up north, this might be a seasonal decision (but a session in the snow sounds fun!!! -Until the camera batteries have died and my fingers feel like they’re going to fall off!)

Personally, I enjoy the studio a tiny bit more. I love that I can control the lighting. AND I don’t have to worry about what the weather is doing. Many people think that studio portraits look like the days of Olan Mills with their wagon wheel props. Not. At. All. My personal style is more of an editorial, commercial look – like something you’d see in a magazine.

That said, photographing outside or on-location has it’s merits. More often than not, sessions take place at a location that is special to my client – their home, where they were married, favorite vacation spot, etc… Having that extra “location” layer in their portrait makes the finished product more special. Working outside is also perfect for an extended family session (large group of people) or when there are littles – gives them freedom to get their wiggles out or change scenery if they need a refresh.

That’s what I have to say. How about you? What do you prefer?

Personal branding.

Have you heard the phrase? It’s quite the buzz word if you’re an entrepreneur. Throw it around in conversation and you’ll be one of the cool kids. Ha! Kidding aside and beyond the surface, it actually has meaning. A brand is defined as “a set of distinctive characteristics that establish a recognizable image or identity.” Attach that definition to yourself and you have Personal Branding.

Why does that matter and why is it relevant?

If you’re a solo-preneur – in business for yourself – you’re not just selling a widget, you’re selling yourself. The Know – Like – Trust factor is what we strive for. People want to buy from and support a brand that they are familiar with – have a relationship with. In today’s very visual world, that often starts with imagery – imagery that tells a story.

How does that work?

At the core, it is simple. Imagery with solid storytelling connects you to your target audience by sharing your personality, your expertise, and even reflecting your client’s values. A strong branding session begins with a conversation about your goals, your audience, and your message. That foundation is what makes the resulting images so powerful and useful across all of your marketing.

Do I need a personal branding session?

Ultimately, the decision to invest in a personal branding photo session should align with your professional goals and how you want to present yourself to the world. If you believe that high-quality, consistent, and authentic images can enhance your personal brand and help you achieve your objectives, then it is likely worthwhile.

The bottom line is that personal branding is just that – personal. It looks different for everyone. If you are curious about whether a personal branding session is the right fit, I would love to continue the conversation.

xoxox, jenny

Do you know what makes a company LOOK like they have it all together?

Aside from being a profitable and sustainable business. Ha! Because I’m a photographer, my eye is going to the photos on their website. When I’m in the market to hire someone – let’s say a financial planner – I’m probably going off of a referral to start. AWESOME! But I’m quickly heading to their website to give them the once-over. This is where I become Judgey McJudgerson. We all do it…whether it’s intentional or not.

I take a peek at the “About Us” section. Hmmm…there are 14 people in the office. 10 have headshots posted. 7 of those match and the remaining 3 – 2 in-the-car selfies and 1 non-matching dated professional headshot. Oy!

Practical me says, “It’s all good.”

But then I wonder…

“Are all of these people still working there?”

“Are they old-fashioned?”

“If their headshots are out of date, are they losing steam elsewhere in their business?”

Those thoughts can lead to a loss of trust. I know that sounds dramatic – we’re talking about photos! But, if I were considering 2 companies and all was equal, save for their online photos, I would 100% give greater consideration to the company that had cohesive imagery. 100%. Crazy, right?

When you look at the overall marketing budget of a company, photos aren’t often a line item. Compared to ad space and tangible collateral, photos are a drop in the bucket. It’s my belief that you’ll have a great return on investment with photography. Photos are the hook – whether it’s on your website, social media, or printed collateral.

I’m happy to help with teams of 3 to 300+ ! You can even send your new hires to the studio to keep your look cohesive.

Are you sporting a headshot that’s 10 years old? How about a selfie sitting in your car – you know the one – light seems perfect, but the steering wheel is in the frame – definitely not something you can call professional. Time to search for your professional business Headshot Photographer in Ocala.

And how do you know if you’re choosing the right headshot photographer? Let me give you some food for thought…

1. It might seem obvious, but check out the photographer’s portfolio or even their social media presence on Instagram or Facebook. Do you like it? Is it consistent? Is there enough work represented? And what are the photos telling you? Are you getting a sense of who the subjects are? If you’re feeling good about what you see, then consider this next…
2. Have a look at the photographer’s reviews. In this day and age, we heavily consider what others have to say. Hopefully, the reviewers will touch on the photographer’s personality, their overall experience of being photographed, and their opinion of the final product. Google is a great source for service-based business reviews.
3. Be sure that your photographer can accommodate specs that might be required by your employer. Examples of requests include specific colored backdrops, file size, etc…That type of information is typically brought to your attention via the marketing department at work. It’s definitely one way to narrow your search.
4. Finally, consider the price but don’t let it be the sole deciding factor. Sometimes, you get what you pay for. What you need to be sure of is that the pricing is fully disclosed. You don’t want to be blind-sighted when the final invoice is presented.

And there you have it. Hopefully, this info proves useful as you search for you next professional business Headshot Photographer in Ocala.

If you’ve been on my website or social media, you’ll see that I reference “wall art”- a lot. So, what’s with that? What is wall art?

In the Beginning

When I started my photography journey, I photographed many of my friends and their families. As a favor for their time, I gave them their digital files. Simple & easy, right? Both parties felt an equal exchange in value. Done. 

I loved what I was doing so much that I made the big decision to open a business. I formed an LLC, purchased some insurance, made a logo, and BOOM! I’m in business. My business looked the same way as when I was building my portfolio – photograph a family and give them the digital files. I mean, every other photographer was doing that. It must be what clients want? 

But was it? You see, upon delivery, I would educate my clients on printing (stay away from Walgreens & CVS) and refer them to the online print lab, mpix.com. MPIX is the consumer branch of my pro lab. They do quality work and offer a variety of products. Simple enough, right? 

Well, more often than not, I would run into past clients and the subject of their family session came up. More specifically, we would get on the subject of printing. With excitement, I would ask what they decided to print and where it was hanging. “Oh, I just can’t decide what to print!” “I haven’t found the time to do that yet.” “What was the name of that lab you told me about?” “Oh, right! I totally forgot to print them!”

Do you know how sad that was to hear? Their family made time for the session – coordinated wardrobe and all – only to sit on a DVD/ flash drive in a desk drawer. They own beautiful family portraits that never see the light of day in their home. They will never be looked at as a memory. And they will never be on display serving as a visual reminder of the love and connection they share with one another.

Selfishly, I was sad for me, but I was most sad for the family. But, wait! It wasn’t THEIR fault. It was MINE! I was offering an inferior product (or rather, no product). I can change that! And so I did.

A Gentle Start

I started by offering “print packages” with gift-print sized prints – 5×7, 8×10, wallets. That felt very ‘school picture’ package to me. Who wants a bunch of wallet-sized family photos with teeny-tiny heads? Seriously. And they still weren’t being enjoyed by the family in their home – into the drawer they went. It was a start, but I needed to do better.

What it seemed like my clients needed was an “easy button.” They wanted to print their portraits and they weren’t appreciating the small gift prints. So, why don’t I offer prints larger in size & get them framed up?

Finally!

It turns out, that is EXACTLY what they wanted! Wall art! These are pieces that are appropriately sized for the space they will live in. I make sure of that by showing clients a mock-up of their space with the finished piece. (I’ll make another blog post about that process soon!). You should see the different presentation options that I’ve curated – framed heirloom canvases, matted and framed prints, framed metals, etc… And get this – I decided to provide the installation. See what I did there? I made it simple. No more excuses. 

Now, when a client inquires, I proudly say that my studio specializes in providing finished artwork by way of WALL ART and custom-designed albums. I truly believe that your family is a work of art and should be enjoyed every day. We only get 18 years with our kids. If your kiddos are 9 or 10, do the math – you’re halfway there. Let that sink in. One day, those portraits will be the only “kids” in your home. 

So, you’ve booked your next headshot session. You’ve picked out your wardrobe and know how you want to wear your hair. But what about your makeup? You want to look and feel your best, right?

I’ve reached out to my friend and makeup artist, Amanda Alvarez of Be Beauty by Amanda. We’ve been working together over the last couple of years. She does beautiful work and it’s awesome to see her work her magic with my clients! When I reached out to her about this blog post, she graciously obliged! I hope that you’ll find the following makeup tips helpful as you prepare for your next professional headshot session:

1. When selecting products, such a foundation or concealer, it’s best to stay away from products that contain high SPF. These products tend to pickup/ reflect the light and give your face & under eyes a very light appearance.
2. Add a bit of contour using a bronzer around the perimeter of your face. This will give your face more structure and not so flat.
3. Don’t be afraid to add a little color to your lips and cheeks! By adding blush and a rosy lip, you remain professional, yet easy going. This will also help you looking fresh and awake.
4. Try adding a shade, three tones lighter than your skin, to the inner corner of your eye. Most of the times, it is a light vanilla, white, or tan. This product should be matte. This will help your eyes be the main focus while opening them up.

So, there you have it! These tips should definitely get you on your way to stepping up your makeup game. If you’re having doubts about your makeup skills or just want someone to work their magic, I highly recommend hiring Amanda or your favorite hair & makeup artist. There is nothing like being pampered!

No better time than the present considering we have the time for it, right? Yes, I’m writing this entry as we’re in the midst of social distancing and “staying home” due to the corona virus pandemic. I always have a running to-do list and getting back onto the blogging train has been on it for a while. I’m hoping to make it part of my routine with updates 2-3 times per week. That’s manageable, right? Unlike the 365 Day Project that I started with back in the day. Gosh, I think that ran all of 50 days? Oy!

As a quick intro, I’m Jenny and I am a portrait photographer. I’ve been in business since 2012 and for a little over 2 years, I’ve maintained a portrait studio near Downtown Ocala. My studio style is modern, simple, & timeless. This allows my clients to be the stars of their portraits! Providing prints, wall art, & albums is part of the JEP experience and a mission that I am passionate about. Why have a portrait session only to have digital images live on your computer/ DVD/ flash drive? It’s important to display & enjoy what is most precious to you.

Headshots & business portraits are another service I offer. We can photograph in my studio or even shoot in your office for an environmental portrait. Do you have a team/ staff that needs photographed for a updated look on your website? I’ve got you covered. You can visit my headshot page for more information.

Gosh, what else can I say? I’ve been an Ocala resident since 2006. I have a super handy, pretty awesome husband and 2 sons that are growing everyday! Not my husband, he’s all done in that department. One son is taller than me and the other is getting closer everyday. They’re 11 & 13 and are the loves of my life.

Long years ago, I was a dancer/ singer on Broadway! I performed in a few shows on the great white way and toured the USA with a few more. I even performed eye-high kicks as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette! What? I know. Show business was a super fun chapter in my life.

I love living in Ocala! What is not to like? We have beautiful scenery with horse farms galore and the cutest downtown with awesome dining and shopping! I feel like it has grown so much and in the right direction. The art scene is booming like never before. I’m a proud board member of Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO). I love their contribution to Ocala by way of the Symphony Under the Stars and Ocala’s Arts Festival! Super fun! And it’s an awesome town to raise our boys in. I’m so grateful to live here.

Now that you know a little about me, I want to learn about you!

So, who’s jumping for joy now that we’re heading into the season of family photos? You’re not? I see. You can’t get everyone’s schedules aligned to schedule an appointment. Oh, and you want to lose weight. Yep. The idea of coordinating outfits sends you on a downward spiral? I get it. Uh-huh, you want to wait until little Ryan gets his braces off? Sure, no problem. Any more excuses? You know what? Time isn’t slowing down and before you know it, we’ve taken another trip around the sun. Then it seems like similar excuses pop up next year…and the year after that. Before you know it, 3, 5 or, 10 years pass by and you haven’t a single photo of your entire family. Doesn’t that break your heart?

Sure, it’s my job as a professional photographer to encourage family photos. But, my encouragement goes well beyond my business. Do you ever realize that your photos are part of your legacy? Legacy, that’s a pretty profound word, right? Because it is. I can recall the many photos on my Grandma’s wall as a child. It was such fun for me to see the leisure suits of the 1970’s on all of the men! And I loved the candid photos of my dad and his siblings and the stories that went along with them. Thats what photos do. They evoke memories of days gone by. They give us a history lesson that we can literally relate to. We learn stories and grow more connected to our past giving us a sense of belonging. Who knew all of that was going on in our brains looking at family photos? As parents we are making a statement with our displayed photos that we are proud of our children/ family. They say that children whose parents display family photographs grow up with greater confidence! We all want that for our children, don’t we?

So, don’t worry about reaching your fitness goals or coordinating your Pinterest-perfect outfits to get THE perfect family photo. In the grand scheme, none of that really matters. What matters is gathering together to capture this point in time. You can’t walk back in time and have a re-do. Trust me, your family is perfect just the way they are. When I edit each and every photo session, I have a smile across my face recalling all that went on during the session. It’s so true! That’s what YOUR family photos do for me. Imagine what they will do for YOU! Don’t put off family photos any longer. Call up your favorite photographer to schedule that session. Create a legacy.

Why Family Photography are Important

Andrea and Marcus live in a beautiful area that I’ve never known to exist. It seems like it was once a farm with rolling hills. I know…rolling hills here in Ocala. And the sunset??? To die for! We had the most beautiful light! I can only imagine what it would be like to finish off every night watching the sun set. I think of them 4-5 year down the road when their little one is running around soaking in the last minutes of daylight and mom & dad are basking in this child’s happiness. What did I mention before? There world is about to be rocked in the best way ever! Happiness!

Their sweet pup even made it into a few frames. I’m always game for including pets in a photograph. After all, they are FAMILY! Here are a few photos from our session…

Maternity Photography Ocala

Let me introduce you to the Elevation Theatre Company from the Performing Arts Conservatory (PAC). This is such a lovely company or dancers performing beautiful story-telling ballets. The first ballet that I photographed for them was The Little Princess. It had the sweetest music and choreography and the audience of young children (and adults) was captivated by it’s beauty.

This ballet is titled Voyage of the Stardancer. It was equally as beautiful! I love the fact that these dancers are able to be part of a full production. They may dance featured parts, but also carry the production in other ways. With everyone working together, it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable performance. 

PAC retured to the Reilly Arts Center for this performance which is about the most perfect space. I say perfect because it’s an intimate space with it’s narrow and long house. The theatre-goer is easily drawn to the stage without distraction. I sit happily on the edge of the balcony clicking away. *Trivia: I snap between 1200-1400 images per performance! I have to cull through those to decide what I want to edit…typically 1/2 of them. Then I make minor adjustments to each frame. It’s certainly a laborious process. 

As I’ve stated before, I love what I do! Enjoy…

Central Florida Dance Photographer

This is the Performance Team from Mary Ellen School of Dance here in Ocala, Florida. They conduct this annual showcase to share with the community all that they have been working on. The energy among the group is so exciting! The PT will also take this show around town performing for many community events including FAFO’s Arts Festival in the fall, The City of Ocala’s Light Up Ocala and even visit various retirement communities. They bring such joy to all who watch.

This performance was held at Blessed Trinity and played to a packed house. They receive such wonderful support! I am so glad that I was able to capture this energetic bunch!

Ocala Dance Photographer

Weddings! I know! I am so super excited, too! It’s taken me a little while to get to this point as I wanted to be 100% prepared and 100% confident for my clients. After all, this is a day that happens just ONCE! There are no do-overs if something goes wrong. Jenny E Photography Wedding

To prepare for my wedding business, I built my collection of photography gear to include back-ups. I have back-ups of EVERYTHING! Cameras, lenses, flashes, light stands, triggers, battery packs, etc… You name it and I am prepared for it. I’ve also prepared by studying posing. That posing not only includes the bride & groom and the bridal party, but also includes the more challenging aspect of posing a large group of extended family. My experience working with extended family sessions has helped me to be more comfortable with that aspect of the wedding day. Capturing the bits and pieces is probably my favorite. It’s what makes every wedding unique. Goodness knows we brides spend an insane amount of time preparing to make this the best day of our lives! We had better capture it all.The products that I’ve decided to carry for my wedding packages are just beautiful! We’ll have to meet in person to see that! They’re delicious!

I’m really looking forward to growing this new genre to my business. Give me a call for more information. Better yet, let’s make a date to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee or a coke. I never want potential clients to feel obligated to book should we meet in person. I LOVE sharing what I do. It’s really as simple as that.

*Special thanks to Brittany Vause who helped me by modeling for my video! She STILL fits into her dress! How jealous am I? I WISH!

Jenny E Photography Weddings