We were lucky to catch up with Jenn Beene recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenn , thanks for joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

Most wedding couples book their photographer a year in advance, giving us ample time to build rapport and understand their dream wedding. However, this past May, I received an urgent phone call from a frantic mother of the bride. Her daughter’s wedding photographer had just canceled, citing an inability to find a hotel for the wedding, which was only seven days away.
By some miracle, I had the next Saturday available, so I could potentially step in as their wedding photographer. After discussing the details with the bride’s mother, we scheduled a consultation with both brides to discuss the vision for their wedding.
I started our conversation by explaining that the original photographer’s action did not meet with high standards our industry demands and apologized for all the trouble and distress they had been put through. Then I expressed to them that even though unfortunate events had led us here that I confident that I could capture the magic of their wedding day so they would be able to cherish it for many years to come. After discussing details, both brides and I instantly clicked and began to build a trusting relationship. They felt I was the hidden gem they had been searching for, and I couldn’t wait to for their special day.
I booked the wedding and immediately got to work, creating a custom timeline and diving into planning, ready to do what I do best.
A quick seven days later, the wedding day arrived. I had all my gear packed, my assistant by my side, and I was ready for the adventure of capturing their dream wedding. On the day itself, I navigated an outdoor wedding with sporadic rain, a large wedding party, two bridal gowns that needed to stay clean, and a whirlwind of emotions.
My nine-hour day couldn’t have been more perfect. Both brides were a joy to be around, and their families were there to celebrate the love and joy of their daughters’ wedding day. My assistant and I received numerous compliments on our seamless work around the venue, handling all the emotions, people, and various aspects involved in capturing the wedding. While I’m sorry they had to endure the initial stress and panic from their previous photographer canceling, I’m grateful for the opportunity to step in and be part of their special day.
After the wedding day was over and the brides received their sneak peek photos, I finally learned what had happened with their original photographer. The photographer had found the couple through a Facebook group and reached out to them, never disclosing that she lived out of state and required a hotel room. She was based in Georgia and had not arranged accommodation until the week of the wedding. When she couldn’t secure a room, she chose to breach her contract and cancel, leaving the brides in a difficult situation just days before their big day. As my brides put it “100% the most stressful biggest blessing I ever had”.

Jenn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always been extremely creative and clever, which drew me to photography. I took several classes when I started college, but I needed to become a business owner to make a living from my craft. Building a clientele was slow, and I soaked up as much knowledge as I could as a novice photographer. With the help of my husband and a supportive family, I dove headfirst into building my business, one photograph at a time.

Seeking out mentorships was crucial in my journey, guiding me through the world of portraits and the business aspects of photography. After experimenting with different types of portraits, high-volume work, and pursuing further education, I discovered my passion for weddings and creative portrait sessions.

I’m a very quiet and shy person until a camera is in my hands. At that moment, the world fades away, and I can bring the visions in my head to life. I’ve had purple hair for nine years now; it serves as my unofficial shield, making me memorable and a great conversation starter at bridal shows.

One of my proudest achievements is becoming a master photographer, a title I earned after five years of hard work and accreditation through Professional Photographers of America. During this journey, I submitted my work for critique from elite photographers, which was challenging but ultimately made me better.

One of my greatest adventures was being hired to capture a couple’s wedding in Alaska. It was a wonderful experience, and I’m still great friends with that couple.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Maintaining a strong rapport with my clients is what keeps them coming back. Social media and texting are vital tools I use to stay connected, often with a simple message like “How are you?”. Whether I’ve met you at a bridal show or you need senior portraits for one of your kids, I genuinely want to understand why you’re in front of my camera. I’m interested in the important aspects of your life, your vision, and your needs and wants from me.

It’s not uncommon for me to drive around town in search of the perfect prop for your session, or to help bustle your dress when no one else can. I also assist creatively when you’re struggling to find the right words to describe what you want. Although I have time limits for sessions, I’m willing to go the extra mile—whether that’s getting a toddler to smile or giving a newborn a bit of extra time to fall asleep. My goal is for all my clients to feel comfortable and at ease with me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My career choice is very rewarding but I can nail down two of my most memorable. I am able to be the timekeeper and capture moments that would have been lost to time. I love seeing my clients as they go through different aspects of their lives, start families, and as their kids grow up, that being stated, my job is not without heartache, and I have capture beautiful moments that I didn’t know would be their last. The second most rewarding aspect of my work is knowing the stories behind the photos. Sometimes, it’s a secret between the maker and the subject; other times, the story is very clear. Each photo is truly worth a thousand words and I am lucky enough to have found my place in this world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studioj.photo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_j.photo?igsh=b3dwc3FkOHI4aW1o&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/2AdQhdvk916yJYWz/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@purplehairphotographer?_t=8oUXvik8huI&_r=1

Image Credits

All images are by me, Studio J Photography.
Headshot is by Domi with Captivated Images