Daily Inspiration: Meet Jennifer Hecht

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Hecht. 

Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I picked up my first polaroid camera as a child and I was hooked. Of course, in the 80s, cameras were not as easy to come by so I didn’t have a clue what a professional camera looked like or that this would become my identity. 

In high school, I would carry disposable cameras with me everywhere and take as many pictures of people as I possibly could. I even asked my high school best friend to model for me and we now laugh because of one image where I had her pose but we didn’t move the hairbrush that was lying by her leg. 

Fast forward to 2008, the recession. I was a single mom, laid off from my full-time factory job, and surviving on unemployment and child support. One evening, while riding in a car with a friend I was staring at the sunset and I remarked, “wouldn’t it be amazing to travel the world and photograph the sunsets?” They replied, “why don’t you?” I sat baffled for a moment thinking why don’t I? 

Those words stayed with me for weeks but I didn’t know how I would ever afford to buy a brand-new camera while living on just enough to pay the bills and feed the children. I finally made the humble decision to ask for help. I called my best friend at that time and asked if she could assist me. She agreed to finance my first camera – a Nikon D60 kit that came with two lenses. Asking her to do this was not easy, I knew I had to prove that I could make this work but she believed in me. 

A savant I was not, so I started off by learning as much about my camera as I could by taking photos of my children and all the things, I found amazing. I also began to learn photoshop and the technical side of photography. 

Then one day someone asked me to take their photos and I can remember asking them if they were sure and they said yes! I was so surprised! This was in the day of myspace so once they posted their pics to their profile word spread fast! People started messaging me to take photos of their families, children, pets, and even a wedding. I had no clue what I was doing but people liked it! 

I chose a business name and made a website. I was working a full-time job, raising my children, and photographing sessions in my spare time. In the winter of 2012, I approached my boyfriend who is now my husband and told him that I was going to use my tax returns as a cushion to quit my full-time job and work toward building a career as a self-employed professional photographer. He was not on board but I told him if it didn’t work, I would go back to 9-5 life. Thankfully it worked but not without some major hiccups. I have survived a lawsuit that I won, hard drive failure that almost bankrupted me but the images were saved, and Covid. My business evolves every day but I love it. I will continue this journey until the universe shows me a new adventure to try and hopefully that path will also include taking photos. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I said before, I have had some major hiccups. Equipment failure, a lawsuit, the quick-changing industry, the demands of being available, and learning how to set boundaries has really taught me that this life isn’t for the weak. I also struggle with the reverse sexism of the wedding industry and the waste weddings create. 

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 photograph seniors, families, and weddings. I am known for having a clean and classic style while still capturing authentic emotion. I use sony gear and off-camera lighting for my senior photography while doing my best to capture the real moments of weddings. I strive to help my clients to feel calm and comfortable with me and my camera because who really likes having their photos taken? This has been a challenge of its own because I am known for being loud and outgoing so I have learned how to be professional without losing who I am. I want my clients to have an amazing experience they talk about forever while capturing their visions. I also want to make the world just a bit prettier than it already is by taking beautiful photos and showing others how to do it too! 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
This question makes me giggle a little. I am certainly a risk taker. Going full-time in such a saturated market is one of the biggest risks I have ever taken. I am thankful for the support I have had over the years. I am kind of a serial entrepreneur and I am trying to start a small dahlia farm also. I love pretty things and want to share them all with the world. 

Contact Info:

• Website: jennihecht.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jennihechtseniors and instagram.com/jennihechtfotoco
• Facebook: facebook.com/jennihechtseniors