We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jen Sulak . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jen below.

Hi Jen , thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I had been a photographer and in the creative industry for over 14 years and when 2020 shut everything down I really had to sit and question where I wanted to go. Who was I as an artist? Who was I in this wedding industry? I had been seeking these answers after the initial grief & shock passed through and I found my passion remained. For years now, I’ve considered myself weird. I am eclectic and the clientele I work with is also creative, eclectic and creating fun events to celebrate life or portraits of where they are.

I attend a Photography convention every year since 2015 that was always welcoming of the word weirdo and it occurred to me, WHY could I not embrace this and push it into the wedding industry! I sat with a small mastermind group and came up with Weirdo Weddings as a way to niche down and directly serve clientele that resonated with that term or word. The moment I said it out loud – is the moment I knew I planted a flag in a piece of ground that could only be done by me.

I believed niching down with my WORDS would help me directly communicate to all the people out there that “get it”. I immediately got excited as I started the words, the marketing and the newer website. I have been working for years in the Renaissance Faire world and in the arts areas of Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond. This was an exciting way to let couples know that their wedding day was THEIRS, no matter how weird – OR how weird their family or friends looked at them.

What was interesting was I was just putting a name to what I’ve already been doing. Now that I’ve put a NAME out there, they can find me easier! I’m calling out to all of the weirdos, the forgotten, the under-represented and the isolated. I’m here to serve you in the wedding world and the events of your life! As we all know, wedding planning is stressful enough – but when you find the right people to guide you and support you – its AMAZING.

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 walked into the Photography industry by nudging by my friends & family encouraging my artistic eye. Once I took all the courses I could take locally here in DFW I was already knee-deep in exploring life as a business owner.

My first brand was Pink Light Images which was a representation of my Pink hair and the love of light and the fact that I didn’t want to type photography. hah!!!! I have worked many years to really focus in on my passions as an artist and I (for the first time in my career) can say that I truly love Wedding Photography, Portrait work (both personal & conceptual) and making Art.

My work is a reflection of both my clients and myself, I feel. As I’m working with others I want them to feel GREAT and I also love having freedom to create with them on ideas that come up. The artistic expression I have comes deep from within, so my personal concepts are more abstract or deeply conceptual AND VERY FUN. I’ve been blessed to meet so many amazing people, models and couples throughout my now, 15+ years working in the Photography industry.

To put it simple, BEING ME is the best thing I’ve ever done. Being confident that no matter what, my ideas and voice matter – and it is my hopes to encourage others to use their creative voices no matter what.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the BIGGEST lessons I had to unlearn was realizing I didn’t need all the fancy equipment in the world to start. You have to realize when you enter an industry with technology – you are consistently fed that you never have enough and you need all the brand new shiny toys. It just isn’t true. Now, in some cases (very rare) gear matters – but for most of us that are really content to make great work and do it with whatever is around us, in us and what we’ve been given…THAT is the true work.

This starts early in the careers of most new photographers and I bought all the knock-off versions of amazing innovative toys – but honestly? I hardly use them now. I’ve found that a form of minimalism works for me! I love working with sunlight and natural light scenarios to capture life as it is and people enjoying their life or event. I do still use studio lighting when applicable, but it is no longer my favorite medium to do! I love exploring outside the four walls now. :)

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life was also during a high-risk pregnancy part of my life in 2016-2018. I had to really manage my time both working and relaxation. I had an amazing healthy baby girl and I was able to enjoy my first full year with her without stress, overworking or any additional expectations. I learned so much about myself as a new mom, but I also knew my identity was more than just motherhood. My business/art life blended with the new challenges of being a mom (and still is). My husband has been an amazing support and i’m so thankful to God for that. This was a HUGE season of my life that shifted my confidence and also how I saw myself. (and of course STILL GOING)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pinklightimages.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdoweddings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weirdoweddings
• Other: www.weirdoweddings.com – @weirdoweddings www.pinklightimages.com – @pinklightweddings

Image Credits
Pink Light Images / Weirdo Weddings