Daily Inspiration: Meet Jen Birchmeier

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

Hi Jen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started Visual Poetry in 2008 after having my first child. My passion for photography started waaaay before that, though. I picked up my first manual 35mm film camera in high school – while my photography classmates were taking photos of landscapes and pretty flowers, I was ripping lampshades off and learning how light moved across faces I loved. I still have some of my first portraits hanging on my wall to this day – they’re some of my most treasured possessions. 

Early on, I was drawn to journalism-style photography. I was shooting on black and white film, which I developed and printed myself in the school’s dark room. I loved capturing imperfections and having people I loved show up on film just as I saw them. Over time, people noticed and fast forward to 2008, I had a friend ask if I’d photograph her brother’s wedding. That’s when it all started. Throughout 2008-2018 I juggled running a full-time job in finance and a full-time side hustle with photography. 

In 2017 I lost my 26-year-old sister. This immediately uprooted everything I thought about why I love photography and gave it an entirely new meaning. I spent so much time thumbing through photographs, and the hard reality was that those photographs were all I had left. It’s SO important for me to provide this for others. I don’t feel biased at all when I speak about the importance of photography; I’ve lived it first-hand. 

At the tail end of 2018, I dove face first into being 100% self-employed, and in April of 2022, I opened up Studio Owosso, which serves as my photography studio AND a creative beacon to other area photographers and artists. I host other photographers’ projects, workshops and classes, parties and gatherings, meetings and community events, beginning this month, yoga classes as well as micro weddings. I believe wholeheartedly that we all thrive best in a supportive community, and that was my goal with Studio Owosso, to create that community and to nurture, inspire and motivate other artists alike. Community over competition all day, every day. I’m lucky to have found many other artists in my industry that feel the very same way. 

My favorite things to photograph are weddings, boudoir, and lifestyle branding work. I do work with a lot of seniors and families, which I love as well. Everyone asks… what’s your style of photography? Are you light and airy, are you dark and moody, are you true to life color? My response is always this… My work doesn’t like to be given boundaries with titles like that. I prefer to keep myself out of the trends that will outdate my work in 10 years. If you want me to describe my work, it won’t be by the visual aesthetic it creates… it will be by the feelings and emotions it evokes. My goal in everything I photograph is to get people to feel something when they look at it. That’s all I really care about. 

I’m an optimist, a mother of 5, a wife, and a diehard entrepreneur. My husband is an archery enthusiast, and we now co-own, alongside a friend of his, the IAA (Independent Archery Association), and we’re both very excited to breathe new life into that. Watching my husband become more interested in the entrepreneur lifestyle brings me a lot of happiness. I like living outside of my safe zone. I’m always learning and growing, and absolutely love that photography (and archery) gives me the opportunity to meet incredible people and see such beautiful places. I’ve photographed weddings not only in Michigan, but also NYC, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, Indiana, Ohio, and have every intention to hit as many more places on the map as I can. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When you’re self-employed… If you don’t put the work in, you don’t bring home a paycheck. Being responsible for your own success is HARD – but I love every bit of it. The pressure it brings pushes me harder. I’d say my biggest struggle has been juggling my work/life balance. Because of the pressure, I’m always on the clock. I don’t have normal business hours and can’t clock out at 5 pm every day. It sounds ridiculous, but making sure I get some “me time” and turning off this brain of mine can be a job in itself. I love what I do, but it’s not easy. I left the 9-5, 40hr work week only to take on an 80+ work week instead. But the hours feel like much less of a burden when you’re living your dream every day. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a photographer that specializes in weddings, boudoir, and lifestyle branding. I photograph seniors and families, as well, and also love creative editorial projects. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
When I first started out I read, listened, and networked as much as I possibly could. I wasn’t afraid to ask questions… and I asked a LOT of them. My biggest advice would be to surround yourself with people that inspire you, pick that camera up often, let your own experience teach you what works, what doesn’t, and let it show you what you’re driven towards. Experience is the greatest teacher. 

I’ve always had such a powerful drive towards creating art and connecting with people. If I could go back in time, I’d tell little Jen NOT to be scared and doubt herself. I wish I could have pushed myself away from my salary day job and into this adventure sooner. TRUST YOURSELF. If you want it bad enough, it can’t not happen. But also know it’s hard work, and you need to be willing to put the time in. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenbirchmeier.com
• Instagram: @visual.poetry.photo, @vpboudoir, @studioowosso
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/jenbirchmeiervp