Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Puranen.
Hi Jenny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always loved photography as a kid and took classes all the way from Elementary school and through college. I started shooting with film and did not transition to digital photography until after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a BA from the School of Journalism. After college, I started photographing covers of local magazines and editorial pieces in the local newspaper where I lived (Melbourne, Florida). When I wasn’t doing that, I was taking photos of my two children and my friend’s children. After a few years, I was one of the most in-demand family photographers in town. I combined my film and journalism experience with portrait photography to give my clients a unique editorial feel to their family photos. I opened a studio and loved every minute of capturing these real moments in time for my clients and their families. We ended up relocating to the Los Angeles area for my husband’s job in 2019. I had just started building clients and got a job working for the Acorn, a Conjeo Valley Newspaper, when Covid hit. My business was shut down for close to two years while I home-schooled my children. During that time, we moved down to the South Bay, where my kids and I have taken up a passion for theater and acting. I am now in a studio in Palos Verdes and am slowly rebuilding my clients all over again. I still am finding the joy and passion of being able to give my clients a unique photographic experience.
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?
Being a photographer is one of the hardest jobs these days and I don’t think it is smooth for anyone. Covid hit my business very hard and moving so many times didn’t help. I grow my clients by word of mouth and referrals. The Los Angeles market, especially The South Bay is so saturated with photographers. I go to photo locations around the holiday and there is literally a line of photographers. It is easy to get lost in the shuffle. You have to find what makes you stand out, what makes you unique and show that to potential clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well, I am primarily a family photographer now. It is almost impossible to get an editorial job with newspapers and magazines anymore so I have given that up. I always found my joy in photographing families. I always say “I am my client’s photographer for life” because they will hire me for one shoot such as a maternity session then the next thing you know it’s been five years and I am taking photos of their family of 5! I get so attached to my clients. It is not just my unique style that sets me apart from other photographers, it is my connection with my clients. The moms and dads and I have a blast at our shoots, laughing and having fun and they tell me how much their kids adore me and look forward to getting their photos with me again. I think when you truly care about what you do and the people you do it for, you can’t fake that. I feel my genuine quality and connection is what get that referral sent on to future clients
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of my favorite things is Networking with other photographers. It is such a big market and every photographer has a different style and brand that I don’t feel the competition. So if you let that go and just meet others in your field, you will learn so much. There is always room for growth in everyone and by opening up to others not only can you teach them something new but you will learn new things from them as well. Such as a really great shooting location, and things like that. Not to mention you will be making a new friend that you already have so much in common with.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JennyPuranenPhotography.com
- Instagram: @J.Puranen_PhotographyLA & @J.Puranen_ActorLA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyPuranenPhotography
Image Credits
Brittney Jean Photography
