We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Cole recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

If you know me, you know how passionate I am about breastfeeding, helping mama’s, and supporting both mom and baby during their breastfeeding journey. As a nursing mom I have learned so much and have developed such a strong passion for supporting mom’s during their breastfeeding journey. As a nursing mama, I LOVE the bond that is formed, the connection, the beautiful memories (among many tears, cracked/bleeding nipples, engorgement, and so much more that we experience as nursing mama’s).

I am so excited to say that I have started a project to capture these precious moments! I am working on a breastfeeding storytelling project where, through photography I can be that support and encouragement for mama’s and we can document together this amazing journey in motherhood. I incorporate nursing shots during my newborn sessions, but I want to also be able to capture these memories for every mama, no matter what stage they are at in their breastfeeding journey! I would love to provide lactation support for those that need it and just be their support person.

When I had my second baby seven years ago, it was my first time breastfeeding and I struggled so bad. There were lots of tears, pain, feelings of failure, and so many questions unanswered. With nursing three of my children I have experience with a severe lip and tongue tie, colic, GERD, EOE, and severe food allergies. I felt so alone and did not have any support along my journey. I was all on my own. I don’t want any other mom to feel this way! I am so excited and so passionate about this new project that I am working on and look forward to meeting so many mama’s and babes along the way!

Jennifer , 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 am a mom to four beautiful babes! I have two girls (an almost 12 year-old, and a 7 year-old), and two boys (a 5 year-old, and an almost 2 year-old). They are my world and I am so blessed to be their mama! I am a sucker for a beautiful sunset and summer days!

Ever since I was little I have always loved taking pictures. It wasn’t until I had my first daughter that I purchased my first DSLR camera. I wanted to be able to document all the little moments and memories of my new journey into motherhood and all the little firsts. So, I taught myself how to use my camera and started practicing. I am still learning every day! I am figuring out my style and what makes me ME!

I am a lifestyle newborn and family photographer. I am not a big posed, prop, studio photographer. I love the candid, raw, unplanned moments of life. I love going to client’s homes or their favorite places around town and capturing them in their element.

I love helping new moms and newborns. I was a volunteer years ago for the parenting program at RO Beaumont Hospital where I helped with postpartum support for both mom and baby. It was a dream! After all the education and training I received through the program, I loved it so much that I went on to shadow lactation consultants. Not only am I passionate about photography and capturing these precious little moments that go by way too fast, I have a deep passion for helping new moms and babies.

I want you to know that I see you and I’ve got you mama! I am here for all the mamas and babes. I am dedicated to doing just this. It is my passion and I am so proud of it.

I want my clients to know that when you book a session with me, it is more than just taking pictures for you, I pride myself in the connections I make with my clients and hope to be a part of your journey for years to come. Not only documenting memories for you, but being your support as well!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being a photographer brings me so much joy and fills my soul. I am so blessed! There are so many rewarding aspects of being a photographer, but the most rewarding is giving my clients the gift of time and memories. My images are a snapshot of time when my clients are creating these wonderful memories. They are able to look back at these images 10, 20, 50 years down the road and are brought right back to that exact moment in time. It is almost like having a time machine. They are able to re-live these memories even after years have passed and loved ones have passed.

Seeing pictures brings people all sorts of feelings. That right there. Nothing compares. Those moments that you want to hold on tight to and not let slip through your fingertips. You don’t have to let them go. They can always be with you. You just have to document them!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media has been a huge tool for me and has helped me to build and grow my business. I have met so many amazing local photographers along the way. I am so very grateful for their support, education, and inspiration. The community support has been such a breath of fresh air. I have met some wonderful clients from Facebook and Instagram and I am so honored to be able to be a part of their journey!

I post my work and put myself out there. It can be so intimidating to be present on social media and try to establish yourself. But don’t get discouraged. Just be yourself! Everyone is so unique and different and we all bring such a wonderful thing to this world and this industry.     

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercole_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenColePhotography

Image Credits
Jennifer Cole Photography