Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Zmuda. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jennifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I learned to do what I do through a lot of trial and error. When I started photography, YouTube had only just launched, and it wasn’t the robust resource for photographers that it is today.
Looking back, I don’t think there’s a significant amount I could have done to speed up my learning process. I jumped right in, and while I didn’t have the budget for high-tech cameras and lighting equipment, it just meant that I had to get creative with what I could afford. Although attending a college program for photography would have been enjoyable, I think it would have formalized my learning too much and restricted my freedom to experiment freely. Ultimately, forging my own path has led me to where I am today.
In my experience, the most essential skills for my success have been adaptability and resourcefulness. They enabled me to make the most of my limited resources when starting out and strengthened my unique voice as an artist. As for obstacles, while I would have appreciated having a mentor in those early years, I don’t think the lack of one has been a major shortcoming in my journey. Overall, the combination of perseverance and creativity shaped my learning experience in a valuable way.
Jennifer, 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?
Jennifer Zmuda is an Emmy award-winning director and professional photographer in Columbus, Ohio; drawing on her national reputation as a dance photographer, Jennifer’s photography services showcase a passion for movement and storytelling that sets her work apart. From corporate video production to upscale commercial photography, her work is backed by an extensive portfolio of high-profile clients nationwide. Jennifer’s projects have been featured in The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Architectural Digest, Pointe Magazine, Dance Magazine, The Columbus Dispatch, CityScene, and many other local and national outlets. With a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine, she launched her photography business in 2006. She continues to shoot dance and family photography, product and lifestyle photography, corporate videos, and more.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson that I had to unlearn when entering this business was the necessity of abandoning the idea of perfection. In the world of art and creativity, nearly everything is inherently subjective, yet my background in dance instilled in me a relentless pursuit of flawlessness. In dance, we are often trained to achieve the highest standards, constantly striving to perform each move with precision and grace. This mindset became deeply ingrained in me, and I found it challenging to shake off the notion that perfection was not only desirable but essential.
As I transitioned into photography, I soon realized that the pursuit of perfection was not a healthy or realistic goal. In truth, nothing in art is perfect, nor should it be. The imperfections and unique nuances that each artist brings to their work are what truly make art fascinating and original. I came to understand that the very essence of creativity lies in its diversity and its ability to reflect individual experiences and perspectives.
Initially, I was hindered by the belief that I needed to create flawless pieces before allowing anyone to view my work. This mindset was not only paralyzing but also would have prevented me from sharing my journey and evolving as an artist if I had allowed it to continue. Looking back at my early photographs, I can see the rough edges and the signs of my inexperience, but rather than feeling discouraged by them, I now embrace these imperfections. They remind me of the growth I have experienced and the lessons I have learned along the way. Each piece represents a step on my path of exploration, capturing the raw authenticity of my artistic development. Ultimately, I have come to appreciate that the beauty of art lies not in its perfection but in its ability to connect with others while celebrating our shared human experience.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I’m an introvert, but somehow, I have found a way to create a pretty large network within the dance world. I began my early dance training at Lake Erie Ballet and continued at Deane Dance during middle school and high school. During this time, I also attended summer intensives with Sacramento Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The Rock School, and BalletWest. After high school, I decided to pursue dance at the collegiate level, receiving my undergraduate degree from the University of Utah and my masters from the University of California-Irvine, both of which are known for their prestigious dance programs. All of these years of disciplined training led me to become extremely well-versed in dance, so when I bridged into photography and video (which logically pairs really well with dance and the needs dance has to market effectively) – all of that knowledge and those contacts in the dance world gave me opportunities to work with talented dancers that much more proficient and well-known photographers at the time would have dreamed to work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenniferzmuda.com
- Instagram: @jenniferzmuda_dance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferZmudaDancePhotographer/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferzmuda/
- Youtube: @jenniferzmuda
Image Credits
In order the photos are uploaded:
Dancer: Izzy Ayers
Dancer: Caitlin Valentine
Dancer: Katherine Saburova
Dancer: Darcy Mcloughlin
Dancer: Karen Wing, BalletMet
Dancer: Karen Wing, BalletMet
Dancer: Izzy Ayers
Dancer: Brooke Bendict