We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenna Guillory a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jenna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I’m so grateful to say that photography has become my full-time calling and career, but it certainly didn’t happen overnight. My journey began with a simple love for creating art from everyday beauty: the way a mother holds her baby, the light dancing across a child’s face outside, or the tender moments of family life. Over time, that passion grew into a deeper purpose: to help women, especially mothers, feel seen, loved, and beautiful through fine-art photographs.

In the beginning, I photographed anyone who would let me. From families, friends and newborns, I poured my heart into learning not just the technical side, but also the art of creating an experience. I realized early on that my clients weren’t just hiring me for photographs; they were trusting me with their memories. That realization shaped everything about my business. How I communicated, styled sessions, and designed a luxury, full-service experience that allowed families to relax, feel cherished, and truly connect.

After several years in a stable career in finance, everything shifted when I became a mother myself. Experiencing the profound beauty and fleetingness of those early days inspired me in ways I couldn’t ignore. I took a leap of faith, left my corporate job, and pursued photography full time. Driven by the desire to create meaningful, artful imagery for other families walking through that same tender season of life.

The transition to full-time came with its challenges, but also with deep fulfillment as my work began resonating with clients who valued that heartfelt, refined approach. Each session became not just a booking, but a relationship built on trust and care. I invested in education, elevated my client experience, and stayed rooted in my “why”: to serve with warmth and intention.

Looking back, I think the process unfolded exactly as it was meant to. Every step taught me something valuable about artistry, service, and balance. If I could offer any advice to my younger self, it would be to embrace the journey, always stay true to your vision, and never underestimate the beauty that comes from leading with your heart first.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a fine-art Newborn, Family and Motherhood photographer based in Houston. My work is rooted in creating timeless, heartfelt imagery that celebrates the beauty of connection and the sacredness of motherhood. My approach blends a refined, luxury experience with an atmosphere of warmth and genuine care because I believe every family deserves to feel seen, loved, and celebrated exactly as they are.

Although I have loved photography since childhood and studied it in college, my journey into full-time photography wasn’t a straight path. I spent years working in finance before becoming a mother changed everything. Experiencing those tender, fleeting moments with my own child gave me a new perspective on life and art and led me to take a leap of faith and build my business around what I value most: babies, family, beauty in the mundane, and care.

Today, I offer a full-service, luxury portrait experience for families, expecting mothers, and newborns. From providing a complementary full client wardrobe, styling and location selection to custom artwork and heirloom albums, every detail is thoughtfully designed to make the process effortless and meaningful. My clients come to me because they want more than just photographs. They want to feel cared for, seen, and understood. I guide them through an experience that’s calm, elevated, and infused with love, so they can truly be present and enjoy the moment.

What sets my work apart is the heart behind it. I have a deep appreciation for beauty in the small things. The way sunlight dances throught the trees, tiny hands reaching for flowers or the subtle peace of a new mother cradling her baby. My imagery reflects that quiet beauty: elegant, emotional, and timeless.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the art I create, but the relationships that come from it. I’ve had the honor of walking alongside families as they grow year after year, documenting each new chapter and helping them see the beauty in their own story. At the end of the day, my goal is for every mother and family I photograph to walk away feeling loved, valued, and celebrated, Not just for how they look, but for who they are.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to create art that helps families and especially mothers feel seen, loved, and celebrated. I believe motherhood is sacred, and my goal is to preserve its beauty in a way that feels timeless and deeply personal. More than just photographs, I strive to offer a warm, luxury experience that allows families to feel cared for and confident, and to walk away with art that reminds them how beautiful their love truly is.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is witnessing the emotion that unfolds when a family sees themselves through my lens; often for the first time in a long time. There’s something incredibly meaningful about showing a mother how beautiful and loved she truly is, or preserving the quiet joy between parents and their children. Knowing that my work becomes part of a family’s story, something they’ll treasure for generations, is the greatest gift. It’s more than creating art, it’s honoring love in its most genuine form.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennaduncan.photography
• Instagram: @jennaduncanphotography
• Facebook: @jennaduncanphotographyhouston
• Linkedin: Jenna Duncan

Image Credits

Jenna Duncan Photography