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

Hi Jenae, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege to work on involves photographing Alicia Partnoy and her family over the past decade. Alicia is not only an author and human rights activist but also a survivor in the truest sense. Her story of resilience and strength is deeply touching and has left a lasting impact on me.

Alicia’s journey is one of unimaginable hardship. In 1977, she was captured by the military dictatorship in Argentina and imprisoned in a concentration camp known as “The Little School.” During her time there, she endured starvation, beatings, and inhumane conditions. After surviving the camp, she was imprisoned for another three years before being forced to leave the country and come to the United States as a refugee. Her book, The Little School, later served as crucial evidence in bringing her perpetrators to justice. Over 30 years later, her story continues to inspire and educate.

Throughout the years, I’ve had the honor of capturing Alicia’s portraits for her books, gathering historical photos for the documentary series Belonging in the USA, and contributing to the theater adaptation of The Little School. It’s a humbling experience to be involved in preserving and sharing her story, a narrative that speaks to survival, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.

But my connection with Alicia’s family extends beyond her. I’ve also had the privilege of photographing 2 of her daughters, Eva and Anahi, who live in Los Angeles. They are both incredibly creative individuals, They give back to their community in such inspiring ways, whether it’s by organizing events like “Summer Sunset Sessions,” where people gather to do yoga on the beach, or by fostering dogs in need of a home. Being part of their lives and having the opportunity to amplify their amazing work is something I cherish deeply.

Photographing someone with the resilience and strength of Alicia Partnoy is a profound honor. To then also document the lives of her daughters, who carry forward that same spirit of creativity and community, is incredibly meaningful to me. Their stories and their contributions to the world remind me of the power of art, resilience, and the importance of using our gifts to uplift others.

Jenae, 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?

My name is Jenae, and I’ve been a Los Angeles local for the past 17 years. I originally moved here for college to pursue theater, but after graduation, I found myself pivoting into the world of small business. I started working at a small tea store, where I got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a business. Though it felt misaligned with my creative passions at the time, I realized later that I was essentially earning an MBA on the job, learning skills that play a big role in my life today.

After leaving the tea company for financial reasons, I transitioned into recruiting for a few years. Around that time, Instagram really took off, and my love for photography—which had always been a constant in my life—began to flourish in new ways. Photography became a way for me to capture and remember the special people and moments in my life, especially since I grew up moving a lot, mainly in Southeast Asia. Before Facebook and social media, these photos were my only way to stay connected to the people I met along the way.

I’ve always been the friend with the camera, capturing the moments that I wanted my friends to remember. For me, photography has also been a helpful tool in managing social anxiety—a camera is something to focus on and hold onto. My dad instilled in me the belief that beautiful images can be found anywhere, not just in far-off places, and that perspective has become a core part of my approach to photography. It’s all about finding beauty in the everyday.

Around 2018, I got involved with a magazine called These Streets Magazine, created by Josh Zamudio and Kemal Cilengir. It was a platform to highlight photographers, and I jumped on board to help with the selection process, panel discussions, and producing. This project evolved into a core team that I still rely on today for various creative endeavors, including video production projects. During the pandemic, when many film labs in L.A closed, my friends and I, who are avid film shooters, found ourselves in a tough spot—especially with the Black Lives Matter movement in full swing and the need to document what was happening in our city.

In response, we decided to start our own film lab, called One Stop Film Lab, in downtown L.A. It’s a small shop, but it’s become a consistent source of revenue for our team, allowing us to continue supporting the photography community. The lab was born out of a love for photography and a desire to provide a service that wasn’t available in the area. Although we face challenges like longer turnaround times due to processing offsite, we take pride in the quality of our work. Every person who handles the film is a photographer and artist themselves, and we all share a commitment to producing the best possible results for our clients.

Aside from running the lab, I’m also deeply involved in my own creative work, which has been a powerful tool for healing past traumas. For instance, my Love Bugs series came from a challenging time in my relationship, and these pieces are a constant reminder to lead with love and compassion. My artwork is always created with intention, whether or not that intention is immediately apparent to others. I also incorporate a personal code, called Kikukako, into my art—a secret code language I developed in the fourth grade as a way to process difficult experiences. This code has given me a safe space to express myself, and I often include it in my work, even if it’s hidden on the back of a piece. It’s a way to infuse my art with meaning and power.

I’m particularly proud of the work I’ve done in producing creative content for campaign measures across the city, especially those surrounding homelessness. This type of work is close to my heart, and I’m committed to continuing it. Homelessness is a complex issue that requires compassion and a case-by-case approach, and I believe that through photography, I can help share the stories of those affected and inspire others to get involved.

When it comes to working with clients, I’m deeply committed to bringing their vision to life. I’m always open to making edits, changes, or even reshooting if something isn’t working. I understand that my style might be unique, but I’m also flexible and can adapt to different storytelling approaches based on what the client needs. This flexibility comes from years of experience behind the camera, and I’ve come to accept that not every piece of work will be perfect. Sometimes, you just have to produce, even if it’s not your best, because creating is part of the process.

Ultimately, my work is about finding beauty in the everyday, healing through creativity, and using my craft to make a positive impact on the world around me. Whether through my photography, my artwork, or the film lab, I’m dedicated to producing work that resonates with people and contributes something meaningful to the community.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

To best support creatives, artists, and a thriving creative ecosystem, society must first recognize the profound value that art brings to our lives. Art is more than just an aesthetic experience; it carries messages, inspires change, offers hope, and brings meaning to our daily existence. When a community collectively acknowledges the impact of art, we can begin to implement measures to bring more art to life.

One way to do this is by allocating city funds specifically for the arts—whether it’s creating spaces where art can be made or offering grants to artists who need supplies. Imagine an organization where artists could apply for the materials they need, like an iPad, a studio space, creative tools, paper, pens, or any other resources essential to their craft. Such initiatives would be invaluable in empowering creatives to continue their work.

Additionally, cities could do more to showcase art in public spaces. Los Angeles, for example, does a commendable job with projects like painting electrical boxes or even community art projects that bring creativity into the everyday environment. Expanding these efforts would not only beautify our surroundings but also bring artists out from their creative hubs and into the public eye, making their work more visible and accessible to everyone.

It would be amazing to see more companies engage with artists as consultants. Artists offer unique perspectives and interpretations of the world, which could bring fresh insights and add significant value to corporate environments. By listening to and incorporating the viewpoints of artists, businesses could benefit from the innovative thinking that is often found in the creative community.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I believe creativity is inherent in all of us. Whether it’s problem-solving, designing a marketing plan, or crafting something new, creative elements find their way into every facet of life. Since we’re all naturally creative, we all understand what it’s like to be in a creative flow. However, what some may not fully understand about the journey of a creative, at least in my experience, is that this creative brain of mine never switches off. It’s always on, which can be both a blessing and a challenge.

There are moments when my focus is clear, and other times when my creative mind takes its time, exploring every angle seeking new perspectives. Unlike conventional careers, where promotions or milestones mark progress, the journey of a creative is more introspective. It’s something I have to recognize and nurture from within. I must be honest about whether certain pursuits are worth my time, and if they hold any value, especially as I juggle various responsibilities from business and family to my own artistic endeavors. This journey is endless—a continuous process of self-discovery and honing in on skills and asking myself what do I want to leave behind.

One thing that often feels at odds with this creative journey is the structure of the world we live in. From a young age, we are conditioned to sit for long hours in school and later in jobs, which can suppresses our natural creativity. We’re taught to conform to societal norms in order to survive—get a job, earn an income, maintain a lifestyle. While this may be necessary for living in today’s world, it doesn’t always align with the innate human trait of creativity. I often find myself challenged by this conflict—choosing to follow my internal compass, which goes against much of my upbringing and the societal expectations that surround us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jenaelien.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenaelien/

Image Credits

Jenae Lien, Matthew Nordman, Sergio Clavel