Jenna Joseph Photography

09/27/2020

It has been a few years that my business has been having a problem...
A “quality problem” as would say. 😉 I was getting far more couples inquiring for their wedding photography than dates I had avaialble. It’s the dream... but it also sucks, because I hate saying no to good people!
I know the generic solution to this is to just hire “associates”--offer packages that couples can book without me being there.
I’ve got to admit to you, this just did not feel right to me. My brand has always been about offering a boutique + personal experience built on relationships. The idea of sending a stranger to a couple's wedding with my name on it didn't feel right to me. I do know that it works well for other wedding photographers, and that is great! I'm just talking about what is right for my brand.
I believe strongly in the magic that happens between a photographer + clients when there is the comfortability of a relationship that is built before an intimate day such as a wedding.
Then Shari came along! She has been working behind the scenes with me since 2017, assisting, designing, and shooting! It was the perfect opportunity to team up with her as another lead photographer for my brand. She is so sweet, patient, + talented!
Mollie + Garrett inquired last March, but I would be in Costa Rica for their special day. I told them all about Shari. They booked a call with her, LOVED her, and the rest is history! It warmed my heart to see them build a relationship with her. Garrett even said the engagement session was a blast!
I was so nervous to take this big step but I am so glad I did! And due to COVID I got to tag along to their wedding as the "second shooter" to help Shari capture their day, which was a blast!
Thank you M+G for your trust in us, and thank you, Shari for being such a gem! Love these photos! @ Temecula, California

05/09/2020

I had actually typed up a completely different story for this blog post. It was all about Megan and Dean’s engagement session and how excited I was for their wedding day. I hit publish and was about to share on social media when all of a sudden the world drastically changed before our eyes.

Fast forward.

Today is May 9, 2020. You may also call it “would-be wedding day” for Megan and Dean! I’m thinking about what the day would feel like if COVID-19 was just a dream and our realities were that it never existed. I’d be waking up, pouring my coffee, and prepping my pre-wedding breakfast packed full of nutritious goodness.

Instead, we’re all home with our families. And although I would love to be getting ready for the wedding they originally planned, I am so impressed and inspired by their immense optimism and focus on what matters most… the marriage. And spoiler alert... they did get married!

Today I’m sharing all about their story on the blog. Happy would-be wedding day, Megan + Dean! Thank you for inspiring and encouraging me through your choices and your attitude.

03/01/2020

I know this doesn’t perfectly fit into my curated feed but this is us! Fresh out of bed. Makeup from last night’s engagement session because I just passed out after I got the baby to bed and stayed up late to edit sneak peeks. Shower time doesn’t come until Ayden’s first nap today. Baby boy is eating chicken for breakfast instead of “breakfast foods” because we ran out of eggs and avocado and I need to get this leftover chicken eaten up before it goes bad. Justin is up early for Sunday which never happens the rest of the week. And this little baby in between us is giving these tired eyes a reason to smile all day.
This right here is my reason for everything I do. I recently did “The Seven Layers of Why” exercise that I found on the and my deepest level of why at layer seven was “Because family is everything.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about send me a DM and I’ll tell you all about it!
These guys are my everything. They are the reason I have this Instagram account to grow my business. They’re the reason I do business so that, together, Justin and I can accomplish our family dreams. They’re the reason why I say no to so much business when it’s not the right project or the right season. They’re the reason I say no to checking my emails when we are having family time. They are the reason I have set a limit on work hours per week.
And they’re the reason why I’m going unplugged today. I’ve been loving getting more into my creative passions the last few weeks but if I am being honest it’s pulled my focus from them.
Come Monday during nap times and Grandma time (for Ayden) I’ll be fully present in business.
But today. Today I’m being fully present in them. Because ambition, goals, and dreams are absolutely nothing if you have no one to share them with.

03/01/2020

Tonight I swapped out my veg time on the couch with my hubby’s Nintendo 🎮 Switch for some editing and I think it was a good call! 😏 Had a blast with Megan + Dean at their engagement session today and can’t wait to blog this one!!

02/28/2020

Not everyone will agree with me, but that is okay.
I firmly believe that, as photographers, we should be giving our clients the utmost support in selecting their location for a photo session.
I know that everyone does business differently, and that’s the beauty of being a business owner. You get to make it work however you choose. But hear me out.
As photographers, we are the ones constantly shooting in different settings.
We have experience handling permits and access to information in whether we need to obtain them for certain locations.
We know which locations photograph best and which are more challenging.
It only makes sense that we provide some options for our couples with all of this in mind!
Bonus for you?
Your clients will appreciate and trust you so much more for each extra step you go to support them, AND you’ll get to shoot at the best locations since you’re sharing your list of favorite places with them!
It’s not just the photo we take but the experience we create that leaves a lasting impression on our clients and all of the seemingly little things truly add up.

02/27/2020

We know how stressful wedding planning can be! What doesn’t get spoken of often is that planning an engagement session can be a mini-event in and of itself and sometimes can add to the anxiety couples already have with all of the wedding decisions on their plate.
“Where do we want to take our photos?”
“What? You need a permit at this place?” (Mid-shoot)
“What should we wear?”
“Do we match or not match?”
“What colors to get?”
“Where to shop?!”
As photographers, we have the power to make this as simple for our clients as possible and leave a lasting impression of support during their experience working with us.
As the years have gone by I have refined my process to help take as much stress of my couples when planning their engagement session, and this week I’m sharing 8 Tips to Up-Level Your Clients’ Engagement Session Experience!
The was written especially for wedding photographers, but portrait photographers, wedding planners, and engaged couples can all get some helpful insight as well.
I’ll be hopping on stories to share a bit from the blog over the next couple of days but if you want the full scoop now, you know where it’s at!

02/26/2020

Last night Chelsea and I were on the phone chit chatting about wedding planning, specifically the aspects surrounding photography like colors and whatnot, and it’s got me so excited for COSTA RICA!
But as I am thinking about our trip that also brings me to one big question: WHAT TO WEAR?!
I’ll be shooting the wedding as well as a part of family photos so I need something formal but also comfortable and lightweight for the tropical weather. I’m looking for a floor length dress in a soft blue with a neutral floral print, hopefully with short sleeves or sleeveless, and most definitely in a lightweight material. I’ve been shopping on Lulus and found some cute options but nothing JUST PERFECT. (Swipe to see one of my top picks.. it’s just too aqua and I’m wanting more slate blue! BONUS swipe for the cutest little outfit I’m thinking of for Ayden, just in short sleeves instead!). Any recommendations for your favorite places to shop for something like this, ladies?! @ La Jolla

02/19/2020

If I could go back to 2009--the year I launched my very first, all-black website with the longest domain in history, there are just five things I'd want to tell my nineteen-year-old self.
The first? "Don't give up or get discouraged. You're going to do great and somehow your wildest dreams will come true. And hey, they'll come true even faster (let's say, about six years faster in your case) if you listen to these next four big things you need to really start succeeding..."
I shared all four of these on my blog today (you know where to find it!).
Can you guess what one of them may be? 😉
📷 from Haley + Chris’ special day!
Credits:
Wedding Venue
Planning
Floral Design
Hair + Makeup
Gown Designer
Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaid Dress Designer:
Bridesmaid Gowns Boutique

02/19/2020

If I could go back to 2009--the year I launched my very first, all-black website with the longest domain in history, there are just five things I'd want to tell my nineteen-year-old self.

The first: "Don't give up or get discouraged. You're going to do great and somehow your wildest dreams will come true. And hey, they'll come true even faster (let's say, about six years faster in your case) if you listen to these next four big things you need to really start succeeding..."

I shared all four of these on my blog today (you know where to find it!). Can you guess what they might be before you go looking?

You know that question you sometimes hear during an interview that goes something like: “What advice would you give your younger self if you could go back in time to when you first started?& #…

02/14/2020

Heading to Costa Rica with my fam and these two in just a few months! Yesterday I posted on my stories asking for tips and you all delivered! Thank you for not only telling me some must-knows about our destination but also traveling with a one-year-old! One of the biggest takeaways: bring bug spray. 🤣
Also how cute are they? I love Chelsea's dress. Since we're becoming sisters soon, does that mean I can steal things out of her closet now?

01/13/2020

I love to write. I wouldn’t say I’m the best at it; I often get compliments on my writing, but I think people are looking past the many typos and referring to the colloquial/friendly, conversational-feel of my writing, maybe? 🤷🏻‍♀️
Regardless of my writing skills, I just enjoy it! It’s a creative release. ⚡️ Sometimes my brain is bursting with things to say. I could write a million miles a minute if I only had the time to sit and get it all out. Other days—many days—I have writers block. I feel I have nothing to express. That’s normal and fine, I think!
Today I’m full of thoughts and inspiration. I’m channeling it all for the excitement of getting together with my friends at Tuesday’s Together tomorrow at Temecula Creek Inn. I’m honored to be on a panel of speakers with and as we dive into tips for Goal Setting + Vision Casting.
If you are a small business owner or aspire to be, you should come! We’re gathering at 10AM. I’ve linked the details and RSVP link in my bio. Oh, and by the way, it’s free!
Are any of my friends joining me?
PS this stunner of a ring is by the one and only placed in my favorite on top of invitations custom made by the stationery queen ✨

01/01/2020

TRAPPED IN TRANSITION—but learning to be okay with it.
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Last year was the year of CHANGE. This year will be the year of TRANSITION. What’s the difference?
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I recently learned that the words “change” and “transition” are distinguished from each other in the world of psychology.
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Change is what happens to us. Transition is what happens within us.
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Sometimes they don’t happen at the same time; sometimes we can become “trapped in transition” as puts it—being stuck between the outer change of life and the inward transition—sometimes even when it’s good change!
😯
Having a baby, entering parenthood with my best friend and the love of my life, getting to know our sweet Ayden and the amazing person he is, has been one of the BEST changes I’ve ever gone through, right up there with marrying Justin. 😍 They are MY BOYS and I love them so much.
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Now I’m trying to figure out how to transition into the new me and how to practically apply the values I have as a wife, mother, and career-driven woman into my day-to-day life.
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All I know is I want to be the best version of myself for the people I love and the clients I treasure, and I’m in the in between of learning HOW to apply my values to my daily life.
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And that’s okay.
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So here is to the transition of 2020, the grace and self compassion I give myself on the days I feel I am failing, the high-fives I give to myself on the days I feel I am winning, the clarity I find in seeing the big-picture-juggle between the two, and the people (aka “my village”) who get me through.
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I’m hoping 2020 will not only be the year of TRANSITION in my personal life but also the year I PIVOT in my career. So there are my two words for this new year! Do you have any *words* or resolutions for the year?
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Photo of my bride Annie and me at the last wedding this bump made an appearance at before my world was turned upside down in the absolute best way imaginable. Shot by who helped me keep my clients very happy during all of the change. 😊️