Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Eggers.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Photography is my second career! I worked as a professional dancer for 10 years – starting at Disney World and retiring from Broadway. It was an exciting part of my life. I knew it wasn’t my “forever” career, but I didn’t know what would happen next. I’ve always had a camera in my hand – even as a little girl. As part of my performing jobs, I was often photographed for advertising/ promotional purposes. My curiosity about what was happening on the other side of the camera motivated me to think of photography as a possible second career. Upon retirement and moving from NYC to Florida, I studied at a local college and took every photography class offered. This is where I gained a solid understanding of how to use a camera and a basic introduction to lighting. In retrospect, I followed this more disciplined approach to learning the basics.
Having a professor and classmates to learn with was valuable compared to learning alone at home. Soon after completing my coursework, I was married, and we started a family. This second career would wait to take off. It would be 5 or so years before I felt the timing was right with my littles (I have two boys) and gained the courage to start my own business. I had the basics from school but needed a developed style. As I started taking on clients, I needed more confidence to charge sustainably. Because of that, I had many clients – too many. The silver lining is that I learned more and developed my style in a trial-by-fire fashion. I never knew that was possible as I grew up studying dance, which required formal education. I’m grateful for my early years; they made me who I am. Fast forward to today – 12 years in business. I’ve learned so much – everything from lighting to business, customer service, and networking. I’m in my 6th year in a commercial/ physical studio and always working toward the type of business and the kind of art I want to make. The learning never ends, and I like it that way.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s only sometimes been a smooth road. I’m a slow learner. I have to learn the hard way by struggling with the same thing too often or for too long. My biggest obstacle was learning how to run a sustainable business. That meant I needed to work on my money mindset, self-value, figure out the cost of doing business, and all the pieces. It’s black & white – numbers. But throw in self-value, and it makes everything a little grey. The black & white part is still there; it just gets hard to see because feelings get in the way. It’s good to be empathetic and want to serve everyone, but at the end of the day, you need to know why you’re doing what you’re doing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to be more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As I mentioned, I’m in my 6th year operating in a studio. I love working in the studio – the lighting control thrills me the most. Plus, I love the look of studio photography. About 1/3 of my business caters to professional headshots. These days, everyone needs them. My superpower when working with clients is my connection. I have them feel relaxed and comfortable so that I can capture true expressions. As a former dancer, I believe I can “shape” my clients to maximize their potential in front of the camera. It sounds a bit much, but the little tweaks and details of posing that help take their images to the next level. I’m a geek when it comes to lighting. Learning to improve what I know sets me apart – I don’t settle. Prospective clients see my work and like it but need help to nail down why. It’s a combination of posing, expression, and lighting, but the lighting is the key ingredient.
How do you think about luck?
No luck. What helps, and it’s been proven, is to be optimistic and likable. If there are two candidates for a job and all things are equal, save for one being optimistic and one being pessimistic, the optimistic candidate will likely win the bid.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jennyephoto.com
- Instagram: @jenny.e.photo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyEPhoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-stetor-eggers-b84bb7146/
Image Credits
Jenny Eggers
