Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Schoenefeld. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jenna, 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 photojournalist, documentary photographer, portraitist and storyteller. I go by many things to the clients who hire me to take photos, but I think “photojournalist” is the root of it all. It’s about telling stories of all kinds from all over the world, and I take that identity to heart.

I’ve been in LA for over a decade now, and I’m proud of the life I’ve built here. I started interning at newspapers around the country after studying photojournalism in college. Once that chapter ended, I moved to LA and began freelancing. That was… terrifying. But I have a good work ethic, I enjoy meeting people and I love taking pictures of all sorts.

I’m also a decent businesswoman. I can’t emphasize enough how much even “decent” helps. Understanding budgets, yours and theirs, is a must. They have needs, but you have to get by and live your life comfortably. I think people are afraid to admit that last part, but your mental health and work will be better because of it.

People also enjoy working with me. I aim to be fair so that my clients will be too. I listen. I stick up for myself when needed, which can be frustrating, but it’s necessary. I think this comes across when I work with others, and I find that respect seems to follow when it’s mutual.

Alright, Jenna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

This is a scary question for any business owner, particularly perhaps those like myself in the creative field where a reflection of your success comes from not only the amount of calls and hires you get, but was what you made for them beautiful? Did it fulfill their needs, make them happy, but also stay true to your voice as an artist?

I’ve reflected on what kind of job I would want for myself, and why I feel that way when it’s on my mind. Often, it comes from seeing the pay raises my friends enjoy from their corporate life that you don’t get freelancing for news outlets with set budgets that never seem to change. Often, it’s the stability of that pay, whether raises or not.

But I love my independence. I love the variety of clients who come to me looking for portraits, documentary photos, interiors, etc. And I love that variety of life. It’s why I do what I do. It slows down the passage of time. It offers me the ability to see the world through other peoples eyes consistently… but only when it’s consistent. The times when it’s not are the times when I reflect and wonder. But when it’s busy, it feels more fulfilling than any job I’ve had in the past, and certainly more than any I can picture myself in in the future. This is where I’m happiest. For now.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Email! Email is the best. You can look at it on your computer, phone, and it can be big and loud or small and brief. I try to send out a newsletter with updates a few times a year, and even skimming through it, they see pretty photos and are reminded of my name and talent. I try to throw in a few jokes for the brave few who read the whole thing.

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

I think it’s important to remember that business is business, and it’s challenging no matter what the product is that you’re trying to sell.

From a creative standpoint, that product is fluid and ever-changing. From a photography standpoint, you can only imagine it in your mind before pointing the camera and hoping all your planning and research has led you to good results. Especially when those things have to happen under a tight, last-minute deadline.

Contact Info:

• Website: jennaschoenefeld.com
• Instagram: photojscho

Image Credits
© Jenna Schoenefeld