Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Wright.
Hi Jennifer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My photography journey began simply by capturing everyday moments with my two young children and photographing landscapes during family travels. The true spark ignited after a disappointing experience with a hired photographer for my own vow renewal in late 2013. Realizing I could do better while creating a flexible career to stay home with my kids, I decided to master the craft myself. I dove into books, videos, and seminars, including traveling to Nashville, Tennessee. I self-taught the technical elements, and bought second-hand but good quality gear. Then, I formed an LLC in 2014.
I started with weekend portrait gigs, a few complimentary photoshoots for friends, discounted rates for small weddings. My business quickly grew into a bustling wedding and portrait business. It truly took off after our family relocated to Virginia. To prevent burnout, and protect my health, I intentionally scaled back my schedule to just a few select weddings per year.
Today, I still happily shoot a limited number of engagements, and special weddings. Scaling back has allowed me to balance family, faith, work, and passion. For me, photography remains a joyful creative outlet rather than just a job.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. There was a time when I booked so many weddings that I injured my wrist, but I have still never canceled a job. To adapt, I found ways to lighten my gear bags, always kept a strong assistant by my side, and switched to using monopods during receptions. That experience also taught me to book fewer jobs, allowing me to selectively choose the weddings I truly want on my calendar.
The pandemic brought a new set of challenges. I faced cancellations and experienced fewer bookings overall. Couples who moved forward with their weddings chose to wear masks during both the ceremony and reception. Photographing clients while maintaining social distance was a unique hurdle, but my business endured. It forced me to become more resourceful and creative. In the post-pandemic market, booking trends have shifted, requiring constant adjustment. For instance, I recently canceled my primary advertising platform due to rising costs, but I have successfully relied on word-of-mouth and social media marketing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Jen Wright Photography, LLC?
Jen Wright Photography, LLC specializes in capturing authentic moments for wedding couples. Founded in 2014, my business was built on the belief that high-quality wedding photos should also be affordable. While I specialize in natural photography, I am best known for framing couples against breathtaking backgrounds and capturing spontaneous, candid emotions. Whenever I spot a beautiful mountain or a stunning piece of architecture, I love placing the bride and groom directly into the heart of that landscape.
Unlike photographers who rely heavily on digital editing, excessive props, or rigid poses, my style remains effortlessly natural. I steer clear of overly dramatic or purely journalistic approaches. Instead, working with me feels just like spending time with a close friend—one who happens to be a creative, talented professional with the perfect camera equipment.
Brand-wise, I am incredibly proud of the extensive portfolio I have built over the years. I am equally grateful for the beautiful reviews and heartfelt thank-you notes my clients send via email, text, social media, and WeddingWire or the Knot. Hiring a professional photographer does not have to break your budget. I am currently welcoming new couples for the upcoming wedding season and would love to connect with you through my website.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in the Philippines surrounded by a dozen cousins. My childhood memories are painted with long days of playing in the streets until dusk. I vividly remember my mother always snapping photos with her film camera, later printing them to fill dozens of photo albums. Meanwhile, my father taught me to read and write in both English and Tagalog simultaneously. Although I deeply love my own culture—especially the literary works of José Rizal—I was always fascinated by Western media. I devoured books by Michael Crichton, Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Ayn Rand, Nicholas Sparks, Mitch Albom, and Emily Brontë. My playlist was a mix of Michael Bolton, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, and Bruno Mars.
When I moved to Singapore for work, which is where I truly fell in love with photography. I only had a simple point-and-shoot camera back then, and sadly, those early photos have since been lost. By 2007, I decided to resign from my IT career and relocate to the United States to start a family. Seven years after that pivotal move, I finally turned my lifelong passion into a reality and became a professional photographer.
Pricing:
- 1500 to 1800- 6 hours wedding coverage
- 2000 to 2400 – 8 hours wedding coverage
- 200 to 300 – Engagement session
- 200 to 300 – Portrait session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jenwrightphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenwrightphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenwrightphotography
- Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/jen-wright-photography-llc-manassas/9e3ec3d1660356c4.html
