I’m Jen. I’m a photographer (that’s obvious, right?), the mother to a headstrong, independent, hilarious little girl who looks JUST like her father, a darling preschooler who’s my carbon copy, and wife to said father, who happens to be my best friend and one of the most charming individuals you’ll ever meet. We listen to music the way people binge watch shows on Netflix (although we are guilty of consuming “Making a Murderer” in a single day), and if the TV is on it’s likely tuned into something in the true crime genre. Hands down, my favorite bands are Foo Fighters and 311 (I’ve seen them live 14 times), I’d choose The Beatles over The Rolling Stones, I think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest hip-hop artists to ever live, and firmly believe Beyoncé should have gotten the Grammy for “Lemonade.”
I’m a planner and communicator who lives and dies by her Google Calendar, but all of my to-do lists are written by hand in my Day Designer. I’ve spent the last year trying to start my day off with yoga and meditation (because I don’t run unless someone’s chasing me), but as I mentioned earlier I’m a mother to a headstrong child so sleep, followed by LOTS of coffee, usually wins. When I shoot, I like to keep it comfortable, easy, and fun for my clients and my team. A killer soundtrack for the shoot is always in order, which typically leads to bad dancing and even worse singing, which then leads to tons of laughter and a really good time. And that, my friends, is the whole point.
Photo by: Nicollette Mollet
ABOUT JEN
FINDING+
OWNING MY STLYE
As a kid, I became obsessed with Annie Leibovitz’s work, and I was convinced I would be the “next Annie.” I loved how she created different, clever, out of the box celebrity portraits that gave the viewer a glimpse into who these people were without having to say a word. She had and still has the ability to make you see them differently, even after seeing them so many times before. I was captivated, inspired, and beyond sold. THIS. THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE.
Since my good ol’ college days in the Photojournalism Department at UT Austin, I’ve explored different areas of photography – weddings, events, families, headshots, maternity, newborns, high school seniors…you name it, I shot it. Creative stagnation led to photographing what I thought people wanted to see, not what was in my heart. And that lead to a ton of self-doubt.
When I found out I was pregnant in May of 2015, though, my soul shook and my heart beat heavy with purpose. It was the first time in my life I truly felt comfortable in my own skin. I finally felt like…well, me. I was no longer afraid to be my true self,
no longer fearful of what anyone else could or would say about me. “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill had become my anthem. WHERE HAD THIS VERSION OF ME BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE?! My focus had shifted, and I was changed for the better. When my daughter came into this world, I was told, “Get ready. The days are long, but the years are short.” Truer words had never been spoken. I realized quickly that life is just too damn short for the mundane. What is art without soul? And, what is life without fun? It was then I made the decision that my vision had a place in this world, and it was time for it to be unleashed.
That’s why Jen Bertrand Photography is focused on creating editorial, magazine-style imagery that speaks to the individual. I believe we all deserve to make our mark in this world and to be documented. The editorial imagery I create speaks to that special mark of each individual, and it comes with an unforgettable experience that changes you for the better. It makes you see the best version of yourself, and we all deserve to feel like the badasses we are. So enough about me! Let’s talk about YOU!