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

Jenny, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

In order to find success in any field, I believe, that if you have passion for the field, you will find the motivation and discipline necessary to carve a path forward. My personal passion for photography began when I took my first black and white photography class in high school. Many years later, I was able to turn my passion into a business when I was suddenly inspired by the artistic side of event photography, which ignited my business ambitions.
After observing the photographer at my niece’s wedding, I was awakened to the excitement of photography in an event setting. With a feeling of awe and even envy, I watched as the photographer was given absolute freedom (naturally, of course) to capture all the gorgeous wedding details, all the touching and romantic moments between the bride and groom, and all the beautiful and emotional moments between the family members as the wedding day unfolded. I never looked at the photographer’s role so closely as I did that day, and I was inspired.
In fact, I took out my own camera, at the time, and started to take some photos of my niece in her wedding gown. I edited and perfected those photos with so much excitement and determination that those photos became the foundation of my early portfolio work. That’s when I realized I wanted to create an event photography business of my own.
My passion fueled my determination to make it happen no matter how bumpy the road ahead would be. This ambition was absolutely necessary because, as it turned out, I had a steep learning curve to conquer. From mastering the art and technique of event photography, to developing a portfolio, to creating a website, to gaining marketing skills, to developing my own clientele, the list of skills seemed almost endless. Yet, the long path never bothered me, because I was so passionate about the art form and fascinated by the business side. And I still am! Each day, I strive to improve my business model by learning the newest photography and editing techniques, the newest software and social media platforms, and networking with professionals in my industry. My passion and motivation are still fueling my trajectory forward.

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.

My name is Jenny Stein and I created my event photography business 14 years ago.  In addition to photography services, I am also able to provide videography and photo booth services, because I have made wonderful connections with amazing vendors in these fields. We are able to offer inclusive packages with all three services included at a great rate.

My passion for photography began when I took my first black and white portrait in a high school photography class. Since then, I’ve always carried a camera at my side, continuously learning the art of photography and perfecting my skills. As a wife and mother of three, I love photographing the precious family moments that unfold each day in my own home.

As a professional, I feel so fortunate and honored every time I am asked to photograph major events in peoples’ lives and provide the visual memories. Whether it is the gentle look of love a bride gives her groom as she walks down the aisle, the emotional glance exchanged between parents as their child reads from the Torah, or the pride gleaming from a father’s eyes as he dances with his daughter at her Quinceanera, I love capturing the beautiful and precious moments at each special occasion.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is by referral. Most of my clients are referred to me by previous clients, other vendors and the coordinators at the venues. Nurturing these relationships is very important. I am thorough and conscientious through all stages of my work.
When I first meet with my clients, I take time to get to know them, so I can understand their needs and photo wishes. A few weeks prior to the event, I work with the client to establish a photography timeline that works for them, and photo shot list. On the event date, I am always flexible with the needs of my clients. If they would like to alter the timeline, for a variety of reasons, I work with them to ensure all the photos they want are captured. I don’t limit the number of images I take. If a beautiful moment unfolds in front of me, I’ll take a succession of photos to make sure I capture everything. During editing and postproduction, I take time to ensure a beautiful product, and I always offer a second phase of editing once my clients have selected their favorite images. I also provide edited images for the venue and vendors who helped make the event a success. In this way, I am able to capture business through referrals.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During Covid, I had to pivot my photography business. When Covid came along, my livelihood as a photographer in the event industry was completely disrupted. The beautiful occasions that my colleagues and I worked so hard to create were suddenly considered dangerous events. Large gatherings were discontinued for well over a year. As a result, I had to consider a new direction. Instead of developing a new career altogether, I pivoted and found a way to use my photography skills in real estate. Photographing real estate was a natural fit and allowed me to work on my own in a solitary setting.

The initial challenge was learning the technique for producing quality real estate photos. Both the photography, itself, and the post-production were very different from event photography. I had a significant learning curve, but I found it interesting. The second challenge was developing clientele in the real estate industry. I was fortunate enough to train with a real estate photography company, and did develop clients. However, when the world opened up, I was fortunate enough to be able to pivot back to event photography, my first passion,

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennysteinphotography.com
• Instagram: @jennysteinphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennysteinphotographer
• Linkedin: www.facebook.com/jennysteinphotographer

Image Credits

Jenny Stein Photography & Company