We’re very excited to introduce you all to the multi-talented Jen Thompson! She will be with us all month long and is ready to help members out in anyway she can. Thank you Jen for taking the time to hang out with us – we look forward to all the ideas + tips you will share!
I am Cooper and Cohen’s mommy. I am a follower of Christ. I am a girl who feels things deeply and passionately. I have way too many ideas. I am fueled by coffee. I am fiercely loyal. I always feel so self inflated when I answer this question, so….I thought it might be easier and more authentic just to ask those those who know me most to speak on my behalf.
Jen is the epitome of a professional in her field. Jen is both a gifted artist and a talented photographer. Her eye and attention to light, setting and her subject make her one of the most sought out portrait photographers in Oregon. Leveraging her design background, Jen has spearheaded complete rebranding projects for hundreds of photographers– including some of the countries most renowned.
On a personal note, Jen is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Her ability to be wholly and completely about those she loves is a blessing to behold (and experience). Jen pours every ounce of herself into those relationships and projects that prove beneficial and reciprocal. -Mike Caston, BIG Folio, Inc.
Asking me to describe Jen in just a few words is like asking me to fit all of Costco into my fridge. It can’t be done without MUCH abundance. She is one of the most dear people I’ve ever known and the footprint of her existence is on my life every day. While it’s true, she is beyond fun, and crammed from head to toe with personality, she’s also absolutely real too–genuine and loyal to her core. In the many years that I’ve had the privilege of calling her my friend, the seasons of life have changed again and again. I’ve watched her go from Top Ramen eating college kid, to doting mother and brilliantly talented (yet humble) photographer and designer. There is no one like her. Not in all the world. -Lori, lifelong friend
Jen is best described as one part photographer, one part designer, and four parts triple-shot coconut soy latte. She is recognized for having an excess of creativity (and caffeination) which overflows into every area of her life, work, and waking moment. Her acute eye for detail and design could be likened to a dog’s hearing. A tour through her studio, located on several wooded acres in Central Oregon, provides a glimpse into her heart for beauty and originality in the details. There isn’t a stapler or a file folder that’s mundane or average–ever object has been strategically chosen for its artistry and function. She is an inspiration to everyone that knows her. Cheryl McIntosh-Studio Absolute
Photographer | Graphic Designer | Creative Consultant | Designer & Marketing Director for BIG Folio
When did you decide to become a photographer? What does being a photographer mean for you?
I’m not sure I ever really made a choice and set out to DO it. It sort of evolved into being. Documenting stuff has always been a passion. Even as a kid. I’ve always been hugely sentimental. I actually went to school for Graphic Design and spent all my free time in the dark room and fell in love with the process. I worked for about 12 years as a graphic designer before I took a side job retouching for a photographer in Boston. I basically learned the business backwards. Almost in what NOT to do, instead of what TO do. I did however, learn the art of offering an invaluable product, how to create a premium service for a very targeted client type. I think the decision to become a photographer sort of transpired over the years of documenting my own kids and falling in love with the storytelling aspect. I learned quickly that my three loves, design, photographic art and creative presentation harmonized pretty well.
My typical day is organized chaos. I don’t have a set series of days I work, or days I have off as I’m typically “working” just about everyday in some way or another. My day usually lasts anywhere from 8-15 hours. I tend to be most productive at night and I take advantage of every sleeping hour my kids give me before I collapse at around 12 or 1am.
My normal work day usually consists of getting up around 6:30 to get ready before my littles get up. My morning typically starts with a very large cup of strong coffee, followed by about seven more. Then quickly creating a breakfast concoction for the boys, getting them dressed and ready for their day and hopefully not having to answer too many questions before 8am. I am absolutely NOT a morning person. I would give my espresso maker a name if it weren’t creepy and weird. After getting morning mommy duty cleared, I typically spend a good hour in the morning going through emails, keeping up on Facebook & Twitter (ok, I do that ALL day long) touching base with branding or photography clients, connecting with the crew at BIG Folio regarding any projects in the pipeline and outlining the day in front of me. (insert cup of coffee here) I set small goals that I know I can accomplish in THAT day. Since my projects are all over the map, my day always involves, in no specific order, various attacks of the following depending on the load that week: sessions, culling or editing images, preparing for ordering appointments at the studio, laying out the next BIG Folio site design, sketching logo concepts for a branding client, assembling customized marketing collateral, maybe working on our next tradeshow material for BIG Folio, client deliveries, cleaning/organizing the studio, blogging, invoicing, ordering studio supplies … really… the day is full of scattered bits. (insert more coffee here) I always work around my deadlines and tackle things in that way. I’m a huge list maker. The contentment and satisfaction I get by simply crossing something off is probably unhealthy. Usually, I’ll have a “design” day, or set the next day aside strictly for proofing and photography clients. I’ve recently been asked to write for a photography publication and hope that I can manage to contribute consistently. A lot of design work ends up being in print collateral, so a lot of time goes into organizing stock orders, printing specs, letterpress details, assembly, etc. I travel for work about once a month either for out of area photography clients, creative consulting, trade shows or educational retreats/conventions. (more coffee) I spend 2+ days a week physically IN the BIG Folio office working hands on with the team there. It’s a great break from being at home, or at the studio working and considering it’s such an awesome gang there working all together, somedays it hardly feels like labor at all. Plus, my favorite coffee house is right downstairs. I feel blessed to have so many creative branches to be involved in. Truly.
Tell us your most memorable photoshoot.
Anytime I am asked to shoot a birth, I am beyond honored and humbled and amazed at the opportunity to document the arrival of new life. Holy freaking awesome! The emotion and wonderment during an event like this completely overwhelming to me. The best part … is seeing those tiny’s come waddling into my studio year after year as they grow.
What are your favorite subjects to photograph? And how would you describe your style?
I want to say fresh newborns, (under 2 weeks) just because I love the pure and timeless simplicity and detail I like to create in those sessions, but if I’m honest, I think I have to say right now, (creatively speaking) I’m really digging my seniors! The kids coming through the studio have been such visionaries and are so expressive. Year after year I’m amazed at the polish and poise these graduates have!
Where do you find your inspiration?
Where do I NOT find it? I think inspiration (for me) comes in the details of things all over, everyday. Product packaging, brands, design in all it’s forms, fashion, texture, nature, light. I keep an “INSPIRATION” folder on my desktop (both on my actual desk and on my computer) and both are completely jammed full of ideas, clips, magazine tears, color schemes, rooms, graphic design, powerful photography, whimsical elements, etc. I’m hugely inspired by home decor and creative interior design and architecture. I love unique uses of everyday objects as decor or elements in photography. I am hugely inspired by other artisans in ANY medium and find a huge amounts of vision and flare on sites like Etsy or Flickr and creative blogs from all over the world. I also love random catalogs | magazines like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, HOW, Domino, Filter, Paper Source, Design Aglow, Sunset, Dwell, Print, etc. I’m in love with unique uses of typography. I love blending approaches in just about everything related to photography and design. I like the marriage between things that are organic and ultra modern. Creative pops of color against something rustic and earthy. Things that are a fresh or new approach to things that are retro. Casual, tattered elegance. I love blending random things in places they might not really belong. I’m not afraid of doing things that may or may not make practical sense. Being practical is usually pretty boring.
This quote pounds loudly in my head most days:
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…” – Jack Kerouac
A few spots I spend wayyyy too much time:
If you could buy anything for your studio, what would it be and why?
This one is easy. Although I swoon over lots of discovered pieces in vintage stores or flea markets, without a doubt, I would want nothing more than a vintage photo-booth in my studio. If I’m ever at a carnival, boardwalk or theme park, I am constantly on the look out for a photo-booth that produces black and white photo strips. (They are hard to find!) I absolutely love their nostalgic feel and I would love to have one in the studio for clients (and me!) to enjoy. I envision an entire wall plastered with strips of giggling, silly, beautiful faces accumulated over the years.
What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face? Anything you’d do differently?
Easily, professionally speaking, the challenge I think a lot of us face now is the shift in the economy which has also catapulted a huge over saturation of uneducated, amateur-gone “pro”-overnight-photographers who lower the perceived value of the premier products and service we’ve polished and enhanced with experience. I think this un-education and lack of industry knowledge is extremely damaging. The upside is that it motivates us all to be innovative creators constantly stepping up our game to offer our clients a supreme and exclusive experience.
To continue offering an invaluable and priceless product for my clients, focusing on a low volume, boutique, high sales business model. I’d like to continue refining who my earmarked clients are and hone in on perfecting the service and experience they receive from me.
I want to fine tune my time and workflow. I start spinning when I have too many projects on my plate. Learning to hone in on what my immediate priorities are and work less towards saying yes to everything that presents itself is top on my goal list.
I’ve been working on creating a boutique/couture packaging and administrative line of products for photographers and other creatives and hope to be able to put more focus into getting that into production as soon as possible.
I’d love to continue to grow my business (both design and photography) while still remaining small. I get so many requests for creative consultation and hands on workshops at our studio. When I’m able to give 1000% heart and mind to that, I’d love to someday be able to offer more help to up and coming photographers to get them started off on the right foot right out of the gates or even for those stepping up to committing to a studio space and need help approaching that.
Advice for other photographers?
* Never. Stop. Learning. (even if you think you already know it all) Invest in your head.
* Every artist was first an amateur. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Stick your neck out. Be a trailblazer. Go against the grain. Do the unexpected.
* Under promise and over deliver.
*Cherish and invest in your photography industry mates. Some of these wonderful friends have become like family to me and at any given moment, would have my back.
*Quit worrying about what everyone else is doing. Have confidence in your work and don’t evict your OWN ideas. They are probably far better than you give yourself credit for.
* This quote is a favorite of mine in that regard:
“My Darling girl, when are you going to understand that ‘normal’ isn’t a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.” ~Stockard Channing
*Don’t take yourself too seriously. The only one who deserves as much credit and stroking as we often give ourselves, is the big guy upstairs. Seriously, how flippin’ blessed are we, that we get to do this every freaking day?
by Katie Loerts
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