Meet Jenn Beene | Portrait Artist & Wedding Day Story Teller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenn Beene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenn, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My most important factor behind my success is being stubborn enough to not give up. It would be easier to create art & capture beautiful moments but I need to be a business owner first. I have the advantage of having a wonderful support system & continuing education in both the artistic & business sides of being a professional photographer are imperative.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art style is colorful & full of emotion. I love not only capturing the moment in front of my camera but the meaning behind it. I pride myself on creating a relationship with my clients. Walking them through every session to be uniquely them. With my wedding clients, a relationship is a must. I want to know their love story, their milestones, & the important details from planning to the last dance.

My greatest adventure to date was being hired in Lubbock to go with a couple to Alaska to capture their wedding. Words can not express that journey. My proudest moment was becoming a Master Photographer. It took 5 years to achieve.

Being where I am in my career was not easy & am happy with my progress but I am not done yet. I want to continue to grow in education & become one of the most sought after wedding photographers.

My biggest challenges have been the lessons learned while on a job when weather didn’t cooperate, equipment failed, learning social media advertising, & the different hats I must wear to be a business owner. Mentorship was & is crucial for my success. A quote I love is “photography is art with technology. To get to the art part, I must know the technology part first.” Lastly a hard lesson I had to learn is, not every client is my client.

I aim for the world to recognize my creative distinctiveness, appreciate the value I bring to each capture, and acknowledge the strength of women breaking glass ceilings.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Lubbock, Texas, is a vibrant big-little city with numerous restaurants, shopping, and local businesses to explore. A week-long trip in the fall offers the quintessential Texas experience of a Texas Tech football game. Top dining spots include the oasis-like Escondido Grill on the Escondido River, the uniquely designed Funky Door with a two-story wine tower, and my personal favorite for Mexican cuisine, Picosos. Enjoy exceptional cocktails at The Nicolett, Stella’s, and Dirks. Lubbock also offers famous wineries’ a wine tasting is a must. A short drive leads to Palo Duro Canyon, offering hiking and breathtaking views. Our stunning sunsets show how truly expansive Texas skies are. The beautiful hues are vibrantly displayed over the cotton fields. Accommodations would be the unique hotel Cotton Court and an amazing Airbnb The Silos. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My support network, my “tribe,” plays a pivotal role in my personal narrative. My mother, my biggest fan since day one, gifted me my first DSLR camera and dedicated countless hours to my studio. My sister lends a listening ear to my outlandish ideas, while my best friends, fellow photographers, and women-owned business owners, provide support, constructive criticism, and valuable mentorship. Finally, my little family—my supportive husband and understanding son—brag about and stand by me in every way.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_j.photo

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/StudioJ.LBK

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@purplehairphotographer?_t=8jsi2Mw7Zxm&_r=1

Image Credits
All photos are of my own creation. My headshot is by Domi with Captivated Images