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

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes — this year actually marks 20 years since I officially started my photography business. In the beginning, I was a young mom looking for a creative outlet. I had always had a gift for photography and connecting with people, and someone close to me encouraged me to turn that passion into something more. That nudge led me to pursue certifications, invest in education, and commit to building a real business — not just being “another mom with a camera,” as the saying goes.

For the first several years, it was a side hustle that grew steadily as I raised my kids. But about 10 years ago, after my divorce, everything shifted. I had to take a hard look at not just the business, but the life I wanted to create — and figure out how to rebuild both from the ground up. I essentially relaunched myself as a business owner: same skillset, deeper portfolio, but a new mindset. I became more intentional, more focused, and more strategic — and that made all the difference.

If I could go back and speed up the process, I would’ve spent more time early on learning the back end of running a business — things like pricing for profit, understanding systems, and protecting my time. I invested heavily in education, traveling internationally to refine my craft, and attending conferences that taught me not just how to take great photos, but how to be an exceptional business owner. That combination — artistry plus strategy — is what allowed me to turn my creative passion into a sustainable, full-time career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a portrait photographer, creative entrepreneur, and mentor with a deep love for stories, connection, and helping people feel SEEN. I’ve been in the photography industry for over 20 years, and while my business has evolved over time, at the heart of everything I do is a desire to create experiences that are both meaningful and memorable.

I started my business as a young mom looking for a creative outlet. Photography came naturally to me — not just the technical part, but the ability to connect with people and capture who they really are. Over time, what started as a passion turned into a full-time career. I pursued professional certifications, traveled extensively to further my education, and built a business that now spans multiple cities, including a satellite studio in Denver, Colorado, in addition to my home base in San Antonio, Texas.

Today, I specialize in high school senior portraits, brand photography for entrepreneurs, and mentoring for other photographers and creatives. My clients often come to me because they’re looking for more than “just pictures.” They want an EXPERINCE that reflects their story, their growth, and their personality — whether it’s a graduating senior stepping into the next chapter, or a business owner ready to elevate their brand.

What sets me apart is the level of personalization and intention I bring to every part of the process. From in-depth consultations to custom-designed albums and artwork, I create space for clients to feel celebrated, confident, and cared for. I’ve also reimagined my sales process into something I call IPS 2.0 — a hybrid model that blends emotional connection with strategy, simplifying decisions while boosting client satisfaction and sales.

In recent years, I’ve expanded into coaching under the name The Declutter Coach — helping overwhelmed entrepreneurs bring clarity, structure, and momentum to both life and business. Whether it’s creating systems that actually work for creative brains, or designing intentional offerings that align with their values, my goal is to help others build a business that feels like theirs.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built, the clients who trust me year after year, and the freedom I’ve created to do this work in a way that aligns with my life. My brand is rooted in authenticity, creativity, and clarity — and I want people to know that when they work with me, they’re absolutely not getting a cookie-cutter experience. They’re getting someone who listens, who sees them, and who’s committed to helping them show up in the world with confidence. It’s not just about the images, the art, or the coaching, it’s about how it all makes them feel.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that being creative and loving the work somehow made it harder to ask for money — like being paid well for something you’re passionate about was uncomfortable or even selfish.

For a long time, I found it difficult to say no, to hold boundaries, or to confidently communicate the value of what I offered. As a mom and a creative, I would’ve given it all away if I could. But when I became a single mom, I had to get really honest with myself — this was not just my passion, it was my profession. This was the work that supported my family. And undervaluing it wasn’t helping anyone — not my clients, not my business, and certainly not me or my kids.

It took time to fully embrace the idea that just because something comes from the heart doesn’t mean it isn’t also a business. What I provide isn’t just photos — it’s a meaningful experience, a visual legacy, and a way for people to feel seen and celebrated. That has real value.

As I expanded into coaching and mentoring, that lesson deepened. I had to stand behind the messaging, the transformation, and the investment. We may not be neuroscientists, but what we do — helping people clarify their story, preserve memories, or build confidence — matters. In a world flooded with images, the printed photograph is more sacred than ever. And holding space for someone to show up fully and feel proud of who they are? That’s worth something. Actually, it’s worth a lot.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely. At the heart of everything I do — whether it’s photographing high school seniors, brand sessions for entrepreneurs, or coaching creative business owners — is a desire to help people see their worth, embrace who they are, and show up confidently in the world.

As a photographer, my mission is to create images that help people see themselves — not just how they look, but how they shine. I want them to feel beautiful, powerful, and worthy of taking up space. That’s true for the creative entrepreneur launching something bold, and it’s especially true for my high school seniors.

This generation of teens is growing up under a constant microscope. They’re bombarded with messages telling them how to look, act, or be — and unlike when I was a teen in the ‘80s, there’s no escape from the comparison game. I saw firsthand, through my own kids’ high school experiences, how damaging that environment can be. It can chip away at confidence and distort how they see themselves. That’s why it’s such a core part of my mission to pour into these kids. I want them to embrace their individuality, to fly their flag, and to be proud of who they are — out loud. And yes, even the ones who claim they don’t want big pictures of themselves — they deserve to take up space too.

The same is true for entrepreneurs — especially women — who are stepping out, taking risks, and building something from scratch. I love creating brand imagery that tells the story of who they are and why their work matters. Because it does. And so do they.

In my coaching, the goal and mission is the same. I’ve been the overwhelmed creative, struggling to stay organized, afraid to charge what I was worth, trying to fit into someone else’s blueprint. I had to unlearn a lot of things, and in the process, I developed systems that work for people like me — people with big dreams, busy lives, and beautifully wired brains that don’t always follow traditional paths.

Now I help others do the same — not by handing them a template, but by guiding them to create systems, messaging, and workflows that align with who they really are. We dig into their values, their strengths, and their style — and we build from there.

At the end of the day, my mission is pretty simple: help people feel seen, celebrated, and supported — whether that’s through the lens of my camera or inside the heart of their business. I believe that when someone truly feels aligned and confident in their story, they show up differently. And that kind of clarity? It’s powerful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jenniferdenton.com
• Instagram: @jendentonseniors, @heyjendenton (and @jenniferdentonphotography)
• Facebook: @portraitsbyjenniferdenton (Jennifer Denton Photography)

Image Credits

All images were shot by me, except the image of me, which was taken by Melissa Raelynn Photography.