Meet Jenna Karwoski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Karwoski.

Hi Jenna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The beginning of my photography journey began in 2005 when my husband (then fiancé) wanted to start a wedding photography business. He was the photographer and I hadn’t used anything other than a point-and-shoot camera up to that point.

So I picked up a digital SLR and began learning the technical side of photography. For the first couple of years, my husband was the primary photographer and I was the 2nd shooter, capturing candids and details, and additional perspectives.

After about 10 years and over 300 weddings, under our belts, my husband decided to step away from the business and concentrate on his primary career.

Our daughter was very young, and I chose to move towards portraits and leave weddings behind. I spent several years just photographing the occasional portrait session (mostly the growing families from our many wedding clients) but mostly, I was enjoying being fully immersed in the life of our growing daughter.

When she went off to kindergarten, I decided to take my portrait business more seriously. I found a mentor, and really dove into my craft. I studied how to pose ALL women of ALL sizes, shapes, colors, and most importantly, ALL comfort levels in front of a camera.

I wanted to debunk the myth that says you must be photogenic to take a good photo… because that is MY job, as your photographer, to get to know each of my clients, so that I can remove any obstacle that may have kept them from feeling confident in front of a camera, in the past. I will change the way they feel in front of a camera, every single time.

I have now spent the past 6 years providing my clients with the most extraordinary experience, followed by the most incredible photos they have ever seen of themselves.

My business is not about photography. It is about the people I have the honor to serve, through my photography.

Up until early 2021, I resided in Washington State, where I built a beautiful business. Then in March of 2021, I moved to Mesa AZ with my husband and our daughter.

I began building my business here while also continuing to fly back regularly to Washington, where I still have a working studio so that I can continue serving my clients there.

Currently, my business here in Arizona is just as, if not more, successful than it was in Washington State. I attribute that to the incredible networking groups in the Scottsdale area and to connecting with the right people. I am on track to have my best year in business yet!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am a firm believer that when you have to work really hard for something, you appreciate it all the more.

That is 100% the case with me. From my marriage to our family and absolutely my business, that has been the case. I don’t take a single thing for granted, because I was forced to work so hard for each success.

I am not a technical person. Learning the technical aspect of photography was SO challenging to me. Once my husband decided to step away from the business, I had to learn HOW to run a business. Something that he had done before. But no matter the hurdles that came my way professionally, I rose to the occasion and found my way over each and every one. Even though I often found myself jumping over the same hurdle, I didn’t give up and eventually got to the other side.

I 100% attribute my ability to push through, even when it was hard or seemed impossible, to how much I just love to serve people. And the better I was at running my business and the better I got at my craft, the better I could truly serve my clients as they deserved.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Jenna Karwoski Portrait?
I am a headshot, personal branding, and custom luxury portrait photographer.

I am not your run-of-the-mill photographer. Every custom session is just that. Custom. I get to know my clients through an extensive creative planning process where I will listen to them, find out who they are, and what their needs are, and then I will help to bring their vision to life.

More than just a fun photoshoot, I offer my clients a luxury experience. From the planning process through the photoshoot itself and then in the delivery of their images. Whether their needs are purely digital, (business/branding, etc.) or if my client wants heirloom quality products, I offer beautiful studio quality print enlargements, heirloom albums, and pretty much anything they could want.

My goal is not to be the best photographer out there… but instead, to be the BEST photographer that I can be for my clients. That means that every single step of the way, from initial contact, through the delivery of all their images/products, my clients will receive the luxury concierge service, that I offer.

I think you can see, in the photos that I take, that they are authentic, natural, and genuine. And I 100% believe that is only possible 100% of the time if you truly get to know your clients before you take their photos.

My client’s feedback, raves, and testimonials have taught me SO much about who I am as a photographer, and really, their words say it all! I have gained the confidence I have today, because of their feedback.

I am so honored to get to do what I love while providing a service to people that can really change how they see themselves!

What makes you happy?
I love seeing people happy! In my personal life as well as my professional life. And anytime I can have something to do with their happiness, makes me happy!

Pricing:

• I offer simple headshot sessions for $500, including a 30-minute session plus your choice of 3 digital images, delivered within 24 hours
• Full custom sessions (branding or portrait) range between $875 and $5100

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennakportrait.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennakarwoski
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennakarwoskiportrait