Life and Work with Jen Pierce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Pierce.

Jen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always admired photographers, but I never had intentions to be one until 2014 when a friend asked me to shoot her birth. After initially declining, I was scrolling through Facebook one night and came across a page called “Clickin Moms” that was teaching a course on birth and newborn photography – it was definitely a sign. I took the course, accepted my friends request and the rest is history.

I originally began only photographing babies, but that grew rapidly into families, maternity, engagement, and weddings. Although, I would like to say dedication and perseverance got me here alone, I also have to thank my community. I am lucky to know so many people and word of mouth has been the root of my success in the last year.

Great, 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?
It has been far from a smooth road for me. Photography was always something I did as a side job or hobby while owning another company. After five years of overwhelming anxiety, stress, and feeling like I was drowning in work, I sold my company in November 2017. Ultimately, I failed publicly with that business and making a comeback was not the easiest thing to do when I first began photography full time. I made a promise to myself that the mistakes I made with my first business, I would fight to never have it happen with the photography business. You don’t always get second chances, but again, I have been very lucky in this life. I use past mistakes as a learning lesson and grow from it.

My only struggle with photography now lies within myself. In a world consumed by social media, I find myself scrolling the net sometimes comparing my work to others and wishing I was “as good as them”, “Shot in cool places like them”, “Had their following”, etc. I work through that envy by digging deep into my heart and finding my passion in my work. It also helps to view images from when I first started, to current and realizing just how far I have come in a short amount of time.

If I could give any advice to young women it would be to take other’s doubt and turn it into drive. A lot of people doubted me or didn’t think I would go through with such big ideas, but I let it fuel my fire and persevered. There isn’t anything you cannot do. I never believed that when I was in school and my teachers would say that, but it’s true. I don’t have a college degree and my resume looks terrible, but I focused on myself and what I truly wanted to do with my life and I made it happen with hard work and dedication. Sometimes, the hardest decision to let go of something consuming you is the best decision to help you grow towards your goal.

Please tell us more about Jen Pierce Photography.
Photography has taken me down so many crazy paths, but right now I feel like Maternity, Birth and all things baby is what I specialize in and what I’m known for. I thoroughly believe that a pregnant woman is the most gorgeous version of herself and I love to bring that out in photographs. Babies are my true calling too… From time to time, I have my clients tell me “You’re the baby whisperer” or jokingly they ask if I will come to their house and teach them how to make their little one-stop crying. I love it all especially birth. It isn’t for everyone, but until you see a baby take its first breath, you will never know where my admiration stems from.

I am most proud of my editing style currently and I feel like it really sets me apart from others in my area. I love light and airy photography, but it just isn’t my style. I flourish better with dark moody lighting, deep/hazy tones and vibrant sunsets in my photos.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
The most important advice I can give is do not EVER doubt your self-worth.

Pricing:

• Maternity sessions – $185
• Birth sessions – $900-$1500
• Newborn sessions – $250-$350
• Engagement – $125-$500
• Weddings – $2000-$3000

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenpiercepics.com
• Email: hellojen@jenpiercepics.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/jenpiercephotography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/jenpiercephotos

Image Credit:
3rd photo – Julia Hinson Photography

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