Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Grap
Hi Jenna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Jenna. I grew up in Wisconsin, and that’s where my journey into photography began. I started out second shooting weddings for local photographers, while also capturing family, senior, and prom portraits. After a few years, I decided to pursue photography more seriously and enrolled at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) to further my education in the field.
Moving to Minneapolis came with its challenges, including starting from scratch to build a client base. I started with an internship at Ashley Berry Photography, and from there, I landed various gigs as a photographer for companies, specializing in event and dance photography. Working in these different environments, outside of weddings and family portraits, opened my eyes to new possibilities and sparked a deeper interest in exploring other types of photography.
The knowledge and experience I gained at MCAD also exposed me to aspects of photography I never would have discovered on my own, and it really broadened my creative perspective. Over time, I gravitated toward fashion and developed a strong passion for editorial portraits and commercial photography. I began shooting for small businesses and restaurants, which allowed me to expand my portfolio and refine my skills.
While I still photograph weddings, my primary focus now is on portraits and commercial work. I also continue to travel shooting dance photography for competitions and take on shoots for other small businesses. My work has been featured in Marika Magazine (a fashion publication) and Unboxed Photo Magazine.
Though I’m not yet working full-time as a photographer, I’m incredibly grateful for how far I’ve come. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far and excited for what’s ahead.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a photographer comes with its fair share of challenges. First and foremost, the industry is highly competitive, which makes it crucial to carve out a niche and develop a unique style that helps you stand out. Personally, one of my biggest struggles is with social media marketing and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. It’s easy to fall behind. As a photographer, you often find yourself doing free shoots to build your portfolio, all while juggling a 9-to-5 job. It’s a balancing act—finding time to shoot regularly, create new work, and keep up with social media expectations. Holding yourself accountable to all of this can be overwhelming at times. So it has it’s ups and down but you have to find what works for you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is centered around portraiture and attention to detail. I’m particularly drawn to editorial portraits, which, for those who may not be familiar, are styled shoots typically created for publication. While I haven’t had many publications yet, I truly enjoy the creative process of curating each photoshoot—choosing the design elements, lighting, and composition to bring the image to life. What excites me most is collaborating with a design team to shape the final photograph into a cohesive, meaningful piece. It’s a chance to have full creative control over the look and feel of the image. I also love experimenting with different objects, shooting through them to create unique effects that add another layer of interest and depth to my work.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I always knew I wanted to move to Minneapolis after growing up in a really small town. I love the diversity of the city and how community-focused the city can be. Moving here, I felt there would be more opportunities for my career but also just being able to start in a new environment. I love Minneapolis because there is just so much to do and so much to explore, but Minneapolis does have a few downfalls, just like every city. Something I don’t love about the city is the cost of living is so high, and it makes it hard to sustain a safe living environment and adds to the large homeless population, but that is also just everywhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennagrap.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jg_photo618/
