We recently connected with Jeanelle Folkes and have shared our conversation below.
Jeanelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
When I first started my business, I was working a desk job that was unfulfilling, mundane, and boring. It was a job that I could have done with my eyes closed, and my boss and I didn’t have a great working relationship. I needed something to keep me from going insane. Being a creative at heart, I poured myself into my interest of photography by taking some walkabout photography classes I bought a couple of Groupons for. One of the photographers leading the class, Rick Gerrity, told me that I had a really good eye and encouraged me to ditch my digital point-and-shoot camera for a DSLR to take my photography to greater heights. I did exactly that. Once I got my first camera, a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, I started shooting everything. I shared my photos on social media, which eventually led to friends asking me how much I charge for my services. I was just a hobbyist at the time, so I wasn’t charging, but I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to dive into entrepreneur work. I learned very early as a kid, after hearing about family members that had been laid off, that there was really no such thing as job security when you work for someone else, and that the best job security to have was working for yourself. From then on, I decided that I wanted to be my own boss somehow, but I didn’t know what I would do. Photography presented itself as a golden opportunity to do just that. With that in mind, I tore though Google pages, researching how to start a business. I researched the field, market competition, and all of the ins and outs of starting and running a business. Within a year, I filed paperwork to start a sole-proprietorship. I took my first clients, who booked me for an engagement shoot. I only charged them $75 because I was still learning how to price my services. But a year after that, I upgraded my business status to an LLC and decided to take this train as far as I could go.
I decided to keep my full-time job to help fund the business growth, and I’ve been growing it ever since, taking my time to continue learning and perfecting my craft. Unsure of which niche of photography I fit into when I was just starting out, I created my own that would incorporate the work I was doing and interested in. That’s how my Love & Lifestyle Photography business was born!
Jeanelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a Love & Lifestyle photographer, specializing in wonderful candid photos with a sort of photojournalistic feel. I got into this industry as a complete novice. I’d never formally studied photography and knew nothing about the technical side of photography and how it all works. All I knew was that I had a natural skill for seeing for light, angles and composition. My family has always had a love of taking pictures, which we did often when I was growing up. I’ve had cameras in my hands since early childhood, so it makes sense that I would fall in love with it later in life. I have a couple of uncles who got really into photography, which inspired me to learn more, so that I can get even better with it. Not having knowledge of or experience with the technical aspect of photography, I set out on a journey to learn as much as I could so that I could continue to grow and take my photos to the next level, whatever that was. . I practiced like crazy, and still do to this day, to always try to see if I can do something differently or more creatively.
I like to work with the client’s comfort levels. Candid is my preferred style so you won’t find me posing my clients very much, I like to catch my clients when they’re in their element. If it’s an event I’m photographing, I find ways to blend into crowds so that I can get multiple viewpoints. If it’s couple’s shoot or a portrait session, I make it fun and comfortable to get in front of the camera to be your most natural self.
What I”m most proud of is how far I’ve come. My early days involved lots of YouTube University
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
They confuse me a bit, honestly. Can anything be turned into an NFT? Can anyone make an NFT out of any of my images? How do we determine the value of an NFT? I have so many questions around them.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that you have creative control to create what you want or what inspires you. You set your schedule, you can work with other creatives, there’s no dress code, etc. There’s a lot more freedom to be who you are in the creative world, and you can create art that resembles you and your personal style. And you report to no one but yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeanesquephotography.com
- Instagram: @JeanesquePhotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanesquePhotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanesquephoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeanesquephotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jeanesque-photography-east-orange?osq=jeanesque+photography