S9E5: Courthouse Weddings Don't Have to Be Boring
Who says a courthouse wedding can't be personalized, beautiful, and super fun?
Jen's dishing with us about how to make your elopement stunning - and why you should always have a photographer there with you!
You can 100% infuse your personality in a courthouse wedding and have a super fun, beautiful celebration!
Guest: Jen, Weirdo Weddings
This week, we’re dishing about…
how to infuse your personality into a courthouse wedding
how to create unique, exciting photographs before, during, and after your ceremony
fun ideas for post-elopement celebrations
Jen’s super cute vow renewal (pics below!)
... and more!
Meet Jen!
Jen is a passionate artist & photographer that welcomes the weird, celebrates imagination and makes space to belong! Jen has a passion to encourage others in their craft & voice and bring a spirit of love & creativity wherever & whenever possible! She is the Lead Wedding Photographer for Weirdo Weddings (& Pink Light Weddings) and Conceptual Portrait artist with Pink Light Images.
Business Info
Location: DFW and beyond
How long have you been in business? 16 years
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I started my own business after being laid off from a data entry job and pursuing my creativity as a passion and making a business of it. Like so many photographers, I started learning about all forms of photography here locally with portraits, landscapes, still life and more. Fast forward to now, I'm really zeroed in on weddings, some conceptual portrait work and branching out into inspirational speaking to enhance the world's mind and creativity! Starting my own business was a way to be my own boss, but not without that learning curve right? The first few months were really hard to get my bearings as I had to grieve my "old life" and embrace the new. When I think about it now, truly the things I missed about office life was consistent coworkers I saw everyday, you do not always get that when running a business as a solopreneur. The world becomes your coworker and can change as you change and ALSO as you niche down.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
I do love having the freedom to be very creative in how I approach my art, photography and manage time around family and running the business. I'm able to do things now I probably wouldn't be able to do if I was in a cubicle at an office (or remote). I also oddly enough enjoyed the initial process of trying to NAME my business and had undergone at least 3 names in the 16 years. I also feel that over time, I truly see this now as a calling - not even a "job" or "career" - I feel like I'm truly making a difference every time I speak, create and share.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Most of my challenges have been internal. Not feeling good enough or worthy enough to pursue your craft when everyone else seems to do it better makes you feel a bit defeated and unwilling to push past. I never stopped pushing, but I also understand the internal struggles of many artists and photographers as we consistently are our own worst critics. Additionally, 2 of my miscarriages from 2015-2016 were at Photography conventions. Not many I know would be open enough to go through that in a public place, much less keep creating art and connecting with others. Some day I do hope to find a platform for that story. It was amazing. I don't look at my art with regret and sadness, I look at them as empowering and part of my story.
Do you have a favorite story to share?
I had the most fun recently catching a plane to NYC to surprise a friend at her art show. It was the funniest gift I gave myself (and her) to where I actually went without my camera and just enjoyed the time and environment. It was so strange to not be packing my gear! I'm so glad I did it, it is ok to put the camera down every once in a while to really see others face to face and talk. This was VERY recent and so much fun!!!
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
I would suggest figuring out what you might love about photography and see your current strongest point. If you are starting a business, you may want to start very simple with portraits that are personal, family or anything within that. Many people need updated headshots for their marketing and branding and families are ever-growing & changing too. The cycle of life and death is captured in an instant in photography! P.s. also understand the seasonality of much of creative services in general. There WILL be slow times and fast times depending on how you schedule your time/sessions.
What's the most memorable thing you've seen happen at a wedding or celebration?
Here recently, we watch Capn Jack Sparrow crash my wedding that was pirate themed. I loved seeing the smiles on everyone's faces when he showed up! I have never seen a happier groom then when he walked in asking for the Rum! ah hahaha
Daily Life
What is daily life like in your household?
Our first year of school has begun (we made it through kinder) so my weekly life was get up at 640am and get her to school by 720 and I would either go back to sleep or work on leads, marketing and followups. My husband takes over my office every day (yes i think its still MY office) and his schedule is pretty consistent. My schedule, I keep organic and let it flow with a variety of meetings, networks and some personal fun.
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
My hubby had a pretty bad health crisis end of 2021, so we had to really stop and evaluate life, health and everything. We overcame by steadily talking things out, crying and venting. His health vastly improved as he completely changed his eating habits and is much improved diabetic-wise.
What advice would you offer to other business owners in a similar situation?
Remember if you are married to laugh together. Find ways to enjoy quality time without fear, anger, and frustration taking over. Remember the little things and find bits of thankfulness as you go along. Stress is NOT necessary to live.
Watch Jen’s Vow Renewal!
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