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

Hi Jen, thanks for joining us today. So, folks often look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight – but that often obscures all the nitty, gritty details of everything that went into the growth phase of your business. We’d love to hear about your scaling story and how you scaled up?

“The worst someone can say is no.” This was and still is the motto I live by. When I first started my photography business I quite literally started from ground zero. With nowhere to go but up, I used the very little money I had saved to buy my first professional camera. To be honest, I had no clue what I was doing. But what I did have, was trust. Trust in myself to make it work and an inner intuitive knowing that this is what I needed to do. With my favorite motto in mind, I started putting myself out there in any way I could. Asking friends if they knew anyone in the photography business. From there, I met an amazing wedding photographer who then introduced me to a larger Facebook group of North Jersey creatives. I began pitching myself to these creatives, offering free assistance at photoshoots and helping in any way I could. Because…the worst someone can say is no. Out of maybe 300 people in the group, 2 people allowed me to join them in upcoming sessions they had. Both of these connections set me on a path to success. The first connection allowed me to join many sessions with her, which allowed me to begin building my portfolio and showcasing my work. And spoiler alert…I ended up landing my first-ever wedding with this photographer, who had gotten sick right before one of her weddings and needed a cover. I stepped in.

If I met anyone in the field or admired someone’s work I would reach out. Asking to meet up to grab coffee if they were local or just simply compliment them. Why…because the worst someone can say is no. The second connection I made above introduced me to another photographer whom I met with one day for lunch. This photographer inspired me to begin assisting other photographers with weddings and added me to an Excel sheet of dozens of photographers looking for just that. I pitched myself to every photographer on this list. Because…the worst someone can say is no. But guess what….a lot of people said yes. Landing tons of wedding assisting opportunities. I posted as much work as I possibly could. Eventually, I received my very first wedding inquiry.

With all of this said, how did I scale my business? I networked, I made connections, I never stopped learning from experts, I put myself out there, and I offered to do work for free. Because the worst someone can say is no.

Jen, 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 Jen of Jen Oceana Photography I’m a New Jersey-based wedding photographer with an editorial style mixed with a candid approach. I always had a love for photos and video and am lucky enough that my hobby, turned into my passion, turned into my business. When I first started a photography business I photographed anything. Families, headshots, products. Then I photographed my first-ever couple and fell in love. I knew right then and there I was going to niche down and become a wedding photographer.

I love weddings and have been lucky enough to have photographed hundreds of couples. No matter how many weddings I’ve photographed, that magical feeling never goes away. The chills I get hearing your vows. The joy of singing along during your first dance, The excitement of swaying on the dance floor as I capture every second of your reception. I’m a firm believer that every wedding deserves to be captured beautifully, authentically, and in a way that’s true to you. I’m not your typical wedding photographer: I’m all about fun, high energy, and crafting connections and friendships with my couples. I truly love what I do and am so lucky to get to work with such amazing couples, at incredible places, on the most magical day of a person’s life.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Client and other photographer referrals. For creative small business owners instead of other photographers, this can be other creatives doing the same thing you’re doing. Building and maintaining a positive relationship with other photographers for me how allowed me to bring in ten times more work than I would have just marketing on my own. I’ll speak for the wedding industry. There are only so many days in the year. So if I get an inquiry and am already booked on that day, I’ll send a list of other photographers to the client to check out. The photographers I have on my list are ones who I know personally, love their work, and love the experience they give their clients. And I know that the photographers who refer me feel the same!

As for client referrals. Give your current clients a 10/10 experience and product and they will want to tell their friends and family about you!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s the pure magic that we can make. There is no better feeling than creating something you’re extremely proud of. That lights you up. That you get to share with other people who also feel joy from looking at your work! So much joy that they will display your work in their homes for other people to see.

Also, simply put, it’s fun. It’s fun to think outside the box, to experiment and play. Whats better than that!?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenoceana.com
• Instagram: @jenoceanaphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenoceanaphotography