Rewind.
Its 2013.
And it happened again.
It was the 9th time I was responding to a cute engaged couple that I couldn't photograph their wedding. At the time I didn't think I could help them. So there I was about to turn down another bride and groom because their wedding date overlapped with my due date for our sweet baby girl Kaiya.
But for some reason, when it happened for the 9th time - it really hit me.
Why did I think I couldn't help them?
Sure I am prego, but I have worked with my second shooter Shannon for three years; and she takes just as great photos as I do! (And honestly a lot of times nails the shot better than I do from a different angle! For real. )
A little lightbulb went off and I thought, what if........
What if I could do all of the backend stuff; the client consultation, set up their timeline, create their personal wedding website and gallery... What if I could add my Jenn Wagner touch to the wedding photos through all the editing, but count on Shannon to be there physically capturing those perfect moments on the day of the wedding?
Would people even want that?
Turns out they did. They booked Shannon and Ryan.
I thought "Okay lets try this"...
So to be honest, the day of the wedding I was waiting by my phone, thinking that at some point I'd get a call that they need me and I'd have to rush in to save the day. I was nervous, I was scared. It was the first time Jenn Wagner Photography was photographing a wedding... without Jenn Wagner. What?
The phone never rang, no disaster ever happened. In fact, quite the opposite!
Not only did I get back memory cards full of unbelievable photos, but more importantly a bride that was thrilled and even more, the brides mom that wrote an email saying how much they loved Shannon and Ryan.
Wait what? But I wasn't even there?!
That... a ... good ... thing... right?
Yes. Yes it is.
I thought "Okay lets try this"...
So to be honest, the day of the wedding I was waiting by my phone, thinking that at some point I'd get a call that they need me and I'd have to rush in to save the day. I was nervous, I was scared. It was the first time Jenn Wagner Photography was photographing a wedding... without Jenn Wagner. What?
The phone never rang, no disaster ever happened. In fact, quite the opposite!
Not only did I get back memory cards full of unbelievable photos, but more importantly a bride that was thrilled and even more, the brides mom that wrote an email saying how much they loved Shannon and Ryan.
Wait what? But I wasn't even there?!
That... a ... good ... thing... right?
Yes. Yes it is.
(See their gorgeous wedding here. )
_____
So it worked. A month later another inquiry came in that I wasn't able to do.
Sure enough; they booked... and then another booked... and then another...
_____
While all of this was happening over the past year, I never really announced it or put it up on the website; to be completely transparent, I kind of hid the fact that brides were booking someone other than me.
Why? I don't know... I wasn't sure if it would really work and it was new and scary and something I had never tried before. I guess when you name is on the business and its been your brain child since day one, you kind of take ownership and hold on. Maybe it was a little blow to my own ego that I'm not quite as essential as I think I am. That the selfish piece of me wanted to think it wouldn't work without me there day of, it would all crumble. But it isn't true.
Its thriving.
The amount of brides wanting the Jenn Wagner Photography Experience has grown, this baby of a business is ready for that next step. To make it Facebook official shall we say.
While all of this was happening over the past year, I never really announced it or put it up on the website; to be completely transparent, I kind of hid the fact that brides were booking someone other than me.
Why? I don't know... I wasn't sure if it would really work and it was new and scary and something I had never tried before. I guess when you name is on the business and its been your brain child since day one, you kind of take ownership and hold on. Maybe it was a little blow to my own ego that I'm not quite as essential as I think I am. That the selfish piece of me wanted to think it wouldn't work without me there day of, it would all crumble. But it isn't true.
Its thriving.
So I put my ego on the shelf, took a step back for a minute and realized that the sweat, blisters and energy I've put into this baby of a business of the last 4.5 years truly has turned into a well oiled machine that does right by our brides, serves the heck out of them, and most of all; finds joy in photographing weddings! We are able to offer our clients the best technology, customized wedding websites, the best albums, personalized attention and the best streamlined services that allow them to share their photos across distance and time. (Thanks Pass and Showit!) From a brides' first inquiry, to our awesome engagement session, to gifts in the mail and then their final album delivery; its seamless.
And its more than just amazing photos; its an experience.The amount of brides wanting the Jenn Wagner Photography Experience has grown, this baby of a business is ready for that next step. To make it Facebook official shall we say.
This well tuned machine is working.
And it is working well.
It has been such an eye opening and humbling experience to realize what a great thing we have going on. That I am surrounded by such talented artists and servant hearted photographers on my team that shoot with the same philosophy I do. That we have brides that truly respect and love our art and that by the end of the wedding night we are all giving each other HUGE hugs bye!
I hated when I had to turn away brides; feeling like I couldn't offer services to all of those brides because I was booked or not available. So this idea evolved and took root. Now it is a part of our identity.
Its not I, its WE.
And we now have the ability to serve more brides with all three of us shooting. We've been doing it for a year under the radar; but now its official.
Its out there! No more hiding, no more being egotistical.
So Jenn Wagner Photography has grown. Our mission has grown along with our purpose and our goals. Our team has expanded, and with it so has our image.
I hated when I had to turn away brides; feeling like I couldn't offer services to all of those brides because I was booked or not available. So this idea evolved and took root. Now it is a part of our identity.
Its not I, its WE.
And we now have the ability to serve more brides with all three of us shooting. We've been doing it for a year under the radar; but now its official.
Its out there! No more hiding, no more being egotistical.
So Jenn Wagner Photography has grown. Our mission has grown along with our purpose and our goals. Our team has expanded, and with it so has our image.
So it is with a tear in my eye and joy in my heart that I change from Jenn Wagner Photography, to Jenn Wagner Studio. (Thank you Taryn Pollack at Serendipity for your advice and push to rip the band-aid off and go for it!) I feel like this better encompasses our team atmosphere and represents our brand as a cohesive unit. Thanks to Elizabeth Langford Creative for the new logo and feel; we absolutely love how it turned out!!
What it comes down to, is this:
We love our brides, grooms and their families. We believe that serving you is our top priority. We fall in love with your stories and get giddy when we get to capture them. We tear up on weddings day when you say your vows- and the day after your wedding we are reliving what your crazy bridesmaids did at the reception. In our eyes, we are more than a vendor and your wedding is more than a transaction. We are there to serve you on one of the most important days of your life and capture those moments you didn't even know we were watching. And when its all said and done, handing over your wedding photos and hearing how much you love each and every photo; well that, that right there makes us happier than you could ever know.
Thank you for reading along, and for following our story as we help tell yours.
Much Love,
The Jen Wagner Studio Team
From left to right:
Cayla- Assistant
Ryan - Lead Photographer
Jenn- Owner and Lead Photographer
Shannon - Lead Photographer
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