Life & Work with Jennifer Henningsen

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Jennifer Henningsen again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us again. Just to level set a bit for folks who may have missed our last interview together, can you briefly introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Jennifer Henningsen. My photography studio is Keepsake Photography in Castle Pines, CO. I am a portrait photographer. I have been in the business in this community for 23 years. I started with a story similar to that of most photographers. I love to capture moments in time and make them art. I just have not given up on it as a hobby. I loved it so much that I could make a thriving business out of it. It didn’t come without dedication and tenacity. I do what I say I will do and follow through with clients, helping with the process from the first phone call to receiving their products.
Sometimes artists are known to be ‘flakey’. You have to be ambidextrous in your capacity to do organizational tasks and finances, as well as the artistic side of creativity and insight to understanding your clients. During the cold season, I use my studio more for headshots and families with small children so we don’t have to worry about time of day and temperatures!

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
Well, AI has helped me save a lot of time. Clients seem to appreciate online galleries, where they can pick their favorites in their homes when they have time. That frees up my time to do more shooting or have time for things that balance my life, like pickleball, hiking in Fraser, CO, or cooking. I continue with education at the state and national levels. I have entered my images into many magazines for publishing and have had over a dozen chosen for publication. My clients love that!
My next goal is to have extended time in Costa Rica and provide portraits for ex-pats in the Guanacaste Region when they are on vacation with their family. We will have a place there in Las Catalinas in 2o26!

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

• Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump and The Proposal both for emotional storytelling and charming humor
• Favorite Book: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls for it story about resilience, family, and finding strength in adversity
• Favorite TV Show: Sex in the City or Seinfeld… now you know I grew up in the 80s!
• Favorite Band or Artist: Morgan Wallen. His story telling in his song really tells us who he is plus they have great energy
• Sweet or Savory: Savory of course
• Mountains or Beach: I need them both. I can hit the mountains anytime but we have to fly to the beach so it seems a bit more special.
• Favorite Sport (to watch): Gymnastics during the olympics but football is always on TV in our house.
• Favorite Sport (to play): Softball but I haven’t picked up a bat in a while…
• Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): I varsity lettered in 5 sports and received 12 letters. I am in our Portsmouth High School Hall of Fame
• As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: in the AIrforce and jump out of planes but settled for being an occupational therapist before I started my photography career
• French Fries or Onion Rings: Onion
• Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: I haven’t seen Billions yet but I bet I would side with Bobby
• Favorite Cartoon growing up: Scooby Doo-
• Favorite Childhood movie: Wizard of Oz
• Favorite Breakfast Food: Avocado toast with a fried egg

When you look back on your life, what are three things you expect to be proud of?
My high school accomplishments are probably the most important. Although that may sound odd, they set the stage for my discipline, work ethic, friendships, and healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life.

Putting my family and children first by making them my priority. They have grown to be kind, intelligent, and ambitious adults.

My photography business. Having my own business flourish has shown my kids all the things I mentioned I learned from high school. They saw me dedicated to my craft, building relationships, occasionally assisting me, and learning life and business lessons. I am an open book. It has also been a way for me to give back.