Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Stein
Hi Jen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was a kid, I was visiting my grandma in Bulgaria one summer when she mentioned that if there was ever a house fire, she’d grab one thing: the photo albums. That statement had a profound impact on. me when I lost my Dad at 20 years old and was combing through all the albums and boxes full of pictures to hang onto any memory of him I had left.
My Dad was always into photography and in high school he gave me one of his “nice” cameras to take along to our vacations. While this hobby started in those early years, it wasn’t until several years out of college that I started my photography business.
I studied Finance in college and went into Wealth Management after graduation, even earning my CFP® designation. I didn’t even know about the wedding industry until I got engaged myself in 2019. I fell in love right then and there and jumped right in! Starting with small wedding packages and working with families, I’ve slowly built up my business over the last 5+ years. When I had my daughter in 2022 I went full time and really saw momentum pick up when I had more time to dedicate to my craft. These days, I’m thrilled to be doing more destination wedding work as well as seeing my past couples take on the next stages of life with growing their families and getting to capture it all!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think every business owner can attest to challenges along the way! I started my business just as the pandemic was ramping up and businesses were shutting their doors as I was hoping to open mine. Furthermore, I was still working my finance job while trying to build my clientele on the nights and weekends. There were stretches where I’d be working for 20 days straight, or I’d be waking up to do a sunrise session and then heading into a full day of corporate work and editing long into the evening afterward. Those early days really build a resilience in me that I believe has taken me far.
These days, challenges look different navigating being a working mom to a toddler, but I love being an example for my daughter and want her to grow up knowing that she can find success in anything she wants to do!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Jennifer Kamen Photography is a wedding and family photographer based in Minneapolis but often traveling to Tampa and other destinations across the nation to capture you’re most precious memories. We pride ourselves in serving couples and families who cherish these times in life and don’t just want to have photos sitting on their phone, but rather line their homes with artwork. Our photographs tell your story, are family heirlooms that will be looked fondly upon for generations to come, and leave behind a lasting legacy.
I am proud of the client experience that we provide and the relationships we build with our clients. I am often growing with my clients throughout their lifetime and getting to know them on a much deeper level than just a photographer who shows up for the session and leaves. We go above and beyond in our work to really understand each individual client’s vision and help bring it to life.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a first generation American. My family immigrated here from Bulgaria, and most of them still live in Europe. I get a lot of the inspiration for my work from my heritage and know firsthand what it’s like to not see your loves ones on a day to day basis, but instead live through the photographs that they share.
Pricing:
- Weddings starting at $4,750
- Family sessions starting at $600
- Mini sessions offered 3 times a year at a discounted rate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenniferkamenphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferkamenphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferKamenPhotography
