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

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Being a business owner has completely changed my life, in the most positive way! I always knew I was suppose to work for myself. I love being able to work at my own pace and time. I don’t think I could back to working for another person, it’s just not in me. It’s not what I like, I always tell my friends to somehow or some way work for them selves. I know some people are ok to work for others and I think that’s great, but if you could have the opportunity to make your own schedule and YOUR own money. Why wouldn’t you take that chance?
I have only once thought about going back to a 9-5 since I started Jennifer Valentine photography , it was back in August 2023 when it was my slowest month. One client only. I have never had that happen to me in my 5 years of being a business owner, it pushed me to a dark space. I was thinking of working as an esthetician again. Thankfully I just worked harder on my social media. Posted old images and posted discounts. That month really pushed me and taught me we will have really hard times when you have your own business. I have worked harder from that month on like no other. And even than I look back and think that month actually just tested me, and being my own boss still will always be the best.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Jennifer, I’m a motherhood photographer based in SW Florida. I have loved photography since I was in middle school, I did classes in high school and eventually came up with my business in 2018 as soon as my son was born. My son is my muse, the reason for Jennifer Valentine photography. I took his newborn images posted them and immediately had people messaging me to take their pictures and so I did. From than to now my business has made 6 figures, I’m so proud and so amazed how far I’ve came. Motherhood Photography became my primary focus in 2021. I just wanted to focus on that and that only. Maternity is such a beautiful concept, so being able to work with that all the time makes me even more excited to create new things.
Being able to create art with a camera is something I never thought I could do, and to get paid to be creative is another thing that just blows my mind.

Photography is a beautiful way to express your self, and I love being able to show empowerment to all pregnant women!
I focus on motherhood mostly to prove you are beautiful, and sexy. Society time after times tries to say women aren’t beautiful because of stretch marks and weight gain. “You are so much more than a mom” is what I try to say in each and every image that I take.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There’s so many things that I was taught when first getting into photography. “Images must be the same vibe”, “make sure you stay with your style always”, or “your camera settings need to be like this” NOPE! What’s the point of being creative when you have to follow a rule! Photography is about breaking rules, figuring out how to be different from the rest! Play with your settings, play with light and shadows. That’s the fun part of this industry, is learning by your self and not learning from others. Take advice but twist that advice and make it your own.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I definitely think being in a small city that’s advanced within the years helped me a lot start a reputation. Word to mouth and social media has been number 2. I live in Cape Coral Florida, we are not very known so I think that somehow has helped a lot. Not a lot of photographers here have ONE speciality, I think being a motherhood photographer has made me pop out more due to just being able to focus on that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennifervalentinefl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifervalentinestudiofl?igsh=cXQ4anBxa3d1cm8%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifervalentinefl
• Other: Tik tok https://www.tiktok.com/@jennifervalentinefl?_t=8iyspkVVaNG&_r=1

Image Credits
JENNIFER VALENTINE PHOTOGRAPHY