Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Lenser.

Hi Jillian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

When I was little, my dad would give me a Kodak disposable camera that was supposed to last the duration of our annual family vacation— I had other plans. The film would get used up in a day or two. Once we got it developed, a lot of the images were shockingly good.

This began the start of photography as a hobby, photographing my friends and a bit of street and architectural photography. I leaned heavily on Photoshop to create the images I had in my head.

Once into high school, my friends started graduating which turned me into a senior photographer. This was quickly followed by families and weddings. It seemed like somewhat of a career at this point so I took the leap and moved to Los Angeles where I focused on fashion photography.

Over the next few years I dabbled in multiple genres before landing in product photography. This is where things really stuck in terms of being able to make this a viable career. Being able to combine Photoshop skills, wedding photography work ethic and a passion for working with creative teams has allowed me to really settle into the world of advertising.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

There were the typical freelancer struggles like finding clients and learning how to price your work, but there were also a lot of growing pains as I grew into myself while simultaneously pursuing a career with no clear path forward.

Whether it was shocking my parents with not wanting to go to a university right out of high school, trying to figure out how to financially get through the slow times, or on-set etiquette, this career path has no shortage of struggle.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

These days I mainly work in advertising, photographing product, beauty and kids. With this type of work, it’s not so much the artistic style that sets you apart but instead the way you interact with people and the experience a client has on set with you. Not only do I prioritize creating an uplifting and grounding atmosphere for collaboration, but it’s also my day-to-day job. I’m in this to make great art and have fun doing it.

What does success mean to you?

I used to think success meant having a specific client name in your portfolio or making a certain amount of money per year, but these days I view success as sustainable happiness. If I can keep myself excited about life and surround myself with kind people, then I believe I’d have success. I’m curious to observe how my thoughts change about this over the next few decades.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jillianlenser.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianlenses