Check Out Jen Roy’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Roy. 

Hi Jen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Art has always been my “thing”, my special interest, my safe space, my cool factor. And I was good at it. I went to college on a substantial art scholarship. No one really explained to me that I still had to do Lit, Bio, chemistry, etc., etc., so I just happily and ONLY went to my art classes. When I was asked to leave the school, I found myself following my parents to Grand Rapids Michigan where they had relocated while I was still in college in St. Louis MO. I reluctantly said goodbye to all my friends and came here, for what was meant to be a temporary stay. I was going to save up and move to NYC and become a famous artist and live in an industrial loft and all my dreams would come true!!! But instead, I bounced from bartender to nanny for many years until I got married in 2009. I was never one of those girls that dreamed about what her wedding would be like or what my dress would be like, or how I would decorate, etc. so I of course had no idea what I was doing planning this wedding. I hired a wonderful woman off of Craigslist to be our photographer. She showed up, did her thang, made me look and feel beautiful, yucked it up with my family and friends, and I was like… heeeeeeeeeeyyyyy… I could do this!!! My husband encouraged me without an ounce of doubt, “do it! Buy a camera!!!” And the rest is history. As is that husband… lol. But what I got out of that marriage is my one true love. Photography. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, it’s been a smooth road, yes, until Covid. Watching your wedding numbers along with your bank account numbers going down is never fun and was a first for me. I wish I had seen this career path sooner for myself, but everything happens in its time. Building this business is definitely one of my proudest life moments. And I may actually be even prouder for sticking with it!!! I sort of have j.o.b ADHD. I get bored easily, (which is why I don’t choose to JUST do weddings. Or JUST newborns) The staying power of this career is limitless and generational. I hope one day to be shooting a wedding of a human that was once one of my newborns. How trippy would that be?!? People just can’t get boring. Nor can I. I have to constantly reinvent myself which is so awesome!!! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think what sets me apart from other photographers, is that I view photography relationally and as our history as people. For me, and this might sound like, totally cliche, but it’s all about the relationships. Hands down. Sure, if there’s perfect light awesome, if I had thousands and thousands of dollars in gear, sweet! (But also, my back would be sore) If I rocked a cool edit, it feels good, yeah, but the things that feel the best to me is catching something special. Changing the mood of a whole group of people from anxious to calm and free. Helping a toddler know they can trust me and I’ll listen to them and we’ll have fun. To make an awkward husband that’s dreading picture night to say at the end, “well that was sort of fun actually” It’s EVERYTHING to me!!! It’s always always been very important to me for people to be comfortable around me, and I’ve always really liked being trusted with something. I know, codependent much??? hahahah! But seriously, to be allowed in people’s lives, over and over again, trusted with their biggest day or most special moment, or document their family yearly for years! To help them relax, drop the shroud of “perfection” to love the way they look, or how their face looks when their meltdown town 3-year-old, turns it around and we get a million good shots. It’s the best part of the job for me, it makes me feel the most me. I just want people to feel loved, safe, and a little free, Free to be exactly who they already are in front of my lens and for them to trust me with that story, is just the best feeling. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, how to be more go with the flow when it comes to scheduling… and rescheduling… and go with the flow I am NOT hahaha. I like to know what my days look like and I don’t always cope well with the changes in schedule. But again, I think that’s also what keeps me in this field. It’s everchanging!!! 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jenqphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenqphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenQphotography/