Meet Janelle Henningson of Janelle Joy in Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Henningson.

Janelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started 12 years ago when I had this need and desire to create beautiful images of my first daughter. I wanted to capture it all! I quickly found that I had a passion and a knack for photography and it took off from there. I have done it all from babies, families, seniors to weddings. Fast forward 12 years later and I have now expanded my photography business into a private photo editing business. I work with wedding photographers from all over the world editing their gorgeous images. It’s amazing and very magical for me to open each and every new wedding catalog that comes in. Although I no longer take on weddings of my own, I feel so lucky to still be apart of the wedding industry and work with such talented photographers. Private editing has, essentially, become my main focus and where I dedicate most of my time. When I am able to, I still try to take on my own portrait work, working still with families and senior clients. I love that my 12 years of professional photography has given me such a solid foundation and experience that I now share with my wedding photography clients.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish I could say that it’s been a smooth road, but not at all! I definitely made many mistakes along the way. A lot of it with not pricing myself right as a photographer or not knowing how to really market correctly. I think what became key for me early on in the business was learning how important branding yourself right was. Along with branding is also really knowing my target market and who I wanted to serve. After I launched my Private Editing business, I had learned from my past mistakes and the launch went much much smoother. I put my business plan in place as well as some serious goals and it’s really served me well. I’m grateful for the mistakes I made in the early years of my photography business because without them I wouldn’t have grown to where I am today. I love this quote by John Powell “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” Mistakes are apart of life and I can either let it cause me to fail or I can pick myself up and try harder.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Janelle Joy story. Tell us more about the business.
So, Janelle Joy is a private photo editor to wedding photographers. I also do portrait photography work when time allows me to. I am the founder and owner of Janelle Joy and I specialize in private photo editing for wedding photographers all around the world. Basically, what I do is my photographers send me their weddings for me to edit and this, in turn, allows them to free up major time and dramatically increase their profits. This also allows them to quickly turn around a wedding for the clients, which makes for some super happy couples!

I think what sets me apart from others is my attention to detail and excellent service. I also have amazing processes I’ve created that make it so I’m able to edit for all kinds of editing styles. Not everyone can do that or have the systems in place to do so. I’m also unique that for an editing service, my clients work with the same editor and are not passed around from editor to editor who just does not have the time to really learn their style or have the ability to create that one-on-one relationship.

My clients truly become my friends and I’m rooting for them and their success in the photography industry.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Hmmm… I would say that luck and hard work have definitely played a role. I think it’s all about finding that right client who just LOVES you and wants to tell everyone about you. Referrals are the very best way to gaining new clients and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with clients who love me and are willing to pass my name along.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.janellejoy.com
• Email: janelle@janellejoy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellejoy_photo_editor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Janelle-Joy-Photography-141949693468/?ref=bookmarks

Image Credit:
Trish Allison Photography, Amanda Meg Photography, Valorie Darling Photography, Shelby Lea Photography, By The Hedges, TrèCreative

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.