Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Whalen.
Hi Jennifer, 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 backstory with our readers?
My photography journey started when I was in college at the University of Minnesota. I started photographing weddings in college and assisting other photographers. By the time I graduated, I had become a full-time wedding photographer! I photographed many big weddings in Minnesota and also in California when I moved in 2013. During the pandemic, many couples were either forced to cancel their big wedding or downsize to have a micro wedding with just immediate family or elope. When photographing micro weddings and elopements, I fell in love with them! Since then, I have completely pivoted to photographing exclusively outdoor adventure elopements!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, it’s been a pretty smooth road for me the entire time. I feel like I was made for weddings and now, outdoor adventure elopements. When it comes to weddings and working with real couples, I just “get it.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Adventure elopements, specifically in California. I serve Yosemite National Park, Redwood National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Big Sur, Catalina Island, and the surrounding beach areas. I’m known for the quality services that I offer each couple that books with me. I’m not just a couple’s elopement photographer. I help them plan their elopement from start to finish. I help them with obtaining permits, vendor recommendations, checklists for their location, and getting their marriage license. I’m ordained too, so I can legally pronounce a couple married! This has come in so handy since we are often in remote locations! What sets me apart from others is that I’m an expert in the locations that I work in very well because I’ve been to each place so many times. I also know photography very well. I’ve been a wedding photographer and working with couples for almost 20 years now!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve taken a few major risks in my life. The first one was to major in fine art in college. There are no guarantees for jobs or a viable career when you major in fine art, but I knew it was right for me. Another risk was to move to California after I had established myself in Minneapolis. I knew that a change of scenery was the right thing for me. Another risk was to niche down from general big weddings to adventure elopements. Niching down can be scary, but I knew my heart was really in it, so the risk was worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenniferwhalenweddings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwhalenweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferwhalenweddings
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferwhalenweddings
Image Credits
portrait of me was taken by Megan Moore
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