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Meet Jen Zambrano of Jennifer Linnea Photography in Lakewood

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Zambrano.

Jen, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a photographer in the Denver area specializing in music, sport, portrait, and wedding photography. I was born and raised in Colorado, from Greeley and Fort Collins to Alamosa and Pueblo before landing in Denver after college. I grew up playing sports like every other kid my age and took up music as well, considering my father was a music teacher. After moving to Pueblo in middle school, I started picking up family cameras for gatherings. I never thought anything of it, I just wanted to capture memories. I didn’t get my own camera until my graduation day when I purchased my first digital camera. I have always enjoyed taking candids of family members and friends at events; yet, I didn’t notice that I was any good until I went to my first concert in Denver in 2009, it was the Jonas Brothers World Tour and I was the fourth row at the end of one of their catwalks. This was also the beginning of becoming an avid concert-goer.

In college, I decided to take a photography class, turning into taking all three at CSU-Pueblo. There, I learned all the camera basics, how to use studio lights, and challenging myself each week with the assignments. I took my first shot at portraits, which I ended up being pretty good at, and I decided to try out some sports photography as well. While in college, I was asked by a high school classmate and former dance company member to take photos at her wedding. I wasn’t sure how well it would turn out, but I’m glad she and her now ex-husband liked the photos even though I was just dipping my toes in the water.

I decided to softly brand my photography once I started doing photography for more than just myself. It started as Jenzie Photography (thanks to a nickname a high school friend/classmate gave me in a choir) before I settled on my name: Jennifer Linnea Photography.

Throughout the rest of my schooling in Pueblo, I started contributing my time to taking photos for the music department for dress rehearsals and performances to share with the students and for the department to use for whatever they needed. I even ended up taking junior and senior recital portraits as well, which really turned me onto destination portraits. I spent a football game day with the marching band and took everything from rehearsal and behind the scenes photos to their halftime show performance.

When I had a few moments throughout the game, I turned around toward the field and started taking action photos of the football team. When I started reviewing the photos that evening, I not only found that I loved my shots of the band but my shots of the football team as well. From there, I slowly started taking my camera to Colorado Rockies baseball games and trying out my talent there, even if they were just from my seat. I still continue to take photos at games, but I’ve evolved my approach, not wanting to attempt many action shots from the seats, but to find those in-between moments of a player that we aren’t accustomed to paying attention to.

Since I’ve moved to Denver, I’ve continued taking portraits and doing music and sports photography. I’ve recently started working for a company doing studio photography for schools around the region and it has helped me tremendously in not only dealing with studio lighting, but I’ve learned even more about the camera itself and how to pose individuals and groups for a photograph. I have always been a natural light photographer and bask in the beauty of having natural light fill a photograph, but have also learned the beauty and importance of using studio lights, indoor or outdoor, as well.

Even though I continuously feel inferior to others, and wish I would be able to take photos as well as another person, I still love what I do and I absolutely love the community I’m in. Becoming a member of the photography community has been incredibly rewarding because we know nobody is perfect, everyone is still trying to make their work better, and they’re not afraid to help others in every way possible.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It most definitely hasn’t been smooth at all. There are amateur and professional photographers everywhere and trying to book a client or find a job could possibly be harder in this profession than any other. I’ve definitely had potential clients ask me to do a session for them, then end up seeing a shoot with them in it by another photographer. My emotions definitely take a hit, but in the end, I’m glad the person received the photos they wanted, regardless who took them. I wouldn’t say that I’m always optimistic about booking clients, I’ve definitely had my doubts since I decided this is what I want to do, but it doesn’t stop me from doing what I do and finding new ways to stand out from other photographers.

I follow countless photographers on social media and subscribe to YouTubers who post video tutorials and guidance that continue to help me every day. I work with a portrait photographer who gives me unsolicited advice whenever we have free time and I could never be more thankful for that. Even one of my friends from high school, who is a world-renowned model and wedding photographer, gives me any advice she has when we get to spend time together; she not only helps with the camera and photos but also with how to run the business.

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
While taking photography classes in college, I was encouraged to go out and try anything. I attempted portrait, landscape, product, music, and sport with both natural light and studio lights. I knew what I liked and didn’t like in my first semester and started diverting away from still photography and decided I wanted to work with people even though I’m an introvert.

I specialize in music and sports photography and I’m still working on specializing in portrait and wedding photography. My followers on social media are always eager to see my new work in music and sports, so I supposed that’s what I’m most known for. I’m a part of the Colorado Rockies fan base and other than the team photographers, they love seeing my new photos on a regular basis.

I consider myself a Jack of all trades, but a master of none. Not specializing in one form of photography sets me apart from the others, but it keeps me learning and even I can see when I look at my older work to my most recent, that I’m constantly progressing and I’m always excited to try new techniques in the field and in the editing process. Regardless of whether I’m a master or not, my passion not only to do what I love but to also connect with my clients and capture memories they will cherish for a lifetime. I love to learn about my clients like they’re my own friends so we can bounce ideas off of each other for their session. Trust is the most important aspect in anything, including photography. There are a lot of individuals who don’t like being in front of a camera lens, including myself, and being able to trust your photographer to take photos you’re going to be proud of is the biggest confidence boost for both the client and the photographer.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I honestly don’t believe I’m successful because I don’t have an even flow of work. It is important to be professional from beginning to end, but being able to relax and have fun is most important, whether you’re successful or not. If you’re smiling, your client is smiling.

Pricing:

  • Portrait sessions begin at $100
  • Professional sessions begin at $150
  • Weddings begin at $800

Contact Info:

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