We recently connected with Jen Ruff and have shared our conversation below.
Jen, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I come from a family of drummers so in school I’d experimented with learning drumming and stringed instruments like the violin. In early adulthood I’d landed THE dream job of working at Vintage Vinyl. That took me on a whirlwind of experiences and exposed me to working with artists through in store appearances and meet and greets we’d oversee. It’d be in a VIP experience where I’d meet my career idol Bryce Harper and it was a lightbulb moment. This was something I could see myself doing forever. I didn’t realize how much coming out of my shell and networking would be key to building my brand but I’m proud of learning slow and steady.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started with photographing shows at smaller venues like Fubar (now Red Flag) and quickly began as a photographer working with Damnation Magazine. The editor Nick was really empowering allowing me to sort of do my own thing but shared information along the way essential to my learning and growth. I started pretty early on acknowledging venue staff and security as they provide the space and the safety necessary for great experiences. Over time I’d upgrade my equipment and work on searching for moments to capture instead of taking pictures of something. I think of two things in terms of the feeling when you’ve “made it”. The first is being asked to tour with a band overseas to shoot. It was super last minute and with no passport it wouldn’t work but to have been asked was an incredible compliment.
But the largest was photographing Depeche Mode in Nashville, TN at the Bridgestone Arena to a packed crowd. These were my childhood heroes there in front of me and it was a big bow around the journey I’d built my lifes work on. I memorialized that moment with a tattoo but I need nothing to remind me of all that day represented. I thought at the time – what could be better? How do I top that? The truth is I probably won’t but I love what I do and I look forward to continuing to capture moments for the rest of my career.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Midway through my photography career the world was hit with a global pandemic. I had shot maybe fifty or so shows and then an ubrupt stop. It was very odd at first and I’d missed the events because I was use to shooting 2 or 3 shows a week. But I wouldn’t put away my camera. I continued to photograph buildings, pets, friends; capturing moments in a different setting. When challenges present themselves no matter the catastrophic nature of them; you don’t just stop. You find a way through. I rediscovered my love of urbex photography. The love of the abandoned spaces society left behind. The beauty of life continuing while capturing a baby’s first photoshoot with her aunt. The idea that any event can just stop your zest and creativity is only true if you allow it and I wouldn’t.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal will always be to deliver the experience in a permanent form. To be able to give those who attended an event a forever receipt of their day. Shooting a concert one night in capturing these moments a fan of a band recognized herself in a photo. For her I’d captured this moment between her and the bands vocalist and she now has that experience in print on a wall in her home. I love having been able to do that for her despite having never met her. Those are things that keep me motivated. Knowing that I can and have given people these pieces of photography that have made them relive something truly amazing. It’s an honor to do this.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenruffphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenruffphotography
