So This Is Me!
Hi there!
It’s me, Jennifer Catherine.
Ok, I couldn’t be ANY more excited to say that I’m finally here, starting this blog! (Insert my happy dance!!!) And I’m doing it for SO many reasons.
Most importantly, I want to connect with you lovely humans better.
But also, sharing!! I feel it’s time to share more of my stories, more of my struggles and triumphs, and more of that thing called knowledge I’ve gained from all of the in-betweens.
Oh, and of course I’ll be spilling more looks into the beautiful moments I capture.
But first, who is Jennifer Catherine?
Well, I’m a 30-year-old female entrepreneur from Iowa. Though I’ve lived in Chicago now for over 12 years, and this place is my home. I’ve gone through the momentous steps of getting my degree here, falling in love here, starting my career here, making friends here, but most importantly, starting my wonderful little family here.
YES! I am a mama bear to the sweetest girl in the world, Adelaide. She has taught me so much about who I am, where I want to go, she’s given me patience, and has shown me what true unconditional love is. I spend my days chasing my 22-month-old around while (somehow) balancing my photography business.
I have gotten really good at time management, it’s sort of a right of passage when you become a mama. And yes, it is possible to do all of the things; loving on my LO while loving on my clients & business.
On top of being a mama, I am a wifey to the best human ever, Phil. I would not be where I am today without this amazing person; over the past decade together, he has supported my dreams, believed in me, and has loved me for me. So if your reading this babe… thank you.
Now I could keep gushing about my incredibly musically talented hubby and my adorable daughter, but I’ll move on to other things.
Like my (slight) addiction to coffee, my need for the perfect tunes to set the mood while I edit, or all the uplifting and inspiring podcast I listen to (like The Goal Digger Podcast). Give me those things and I am TOTALLY set.
And the thing that fully rounds out who I am, the thing that has brought me here, is my photography.
Photography is so much a part of who I am, I wouldn’t be able to honestly paint a picture of myself for you without it!
It’s true, my time as a photographer has progressed immensely over the years. But I’ve found my stride along the way, and when I’m in the zone it all feels so natural. With each shoot and each session, I capture real moments + real love. There is so much beauty in the small in-between moments and all the pretty little details;
The way a bride looks at herself in the mirror before her wedding, the way a couple holds hands as they walk down the aisle together, the way a mother cradles her baby growing in her belly, and so much more.
REAL TALK
I’ve definitely made my share of mistakes (which I’ll be sharing in a future post). But who hasn’t?! And I’m not gonna lie to you guys, messing up doesn’t feel good in the moment. Heck! Sometimes it doesn’t even feel good thinking back on them, but the thing I’ve learned is that those mistakes are PART of the process. Mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before. It has made me better.
Life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking all those missteps in stride. It’s about being brave. Being authentic. Being true to yourself.
My sense of authenticity and transparency is through photography.
Photographing those raw, emotional, real love stuff moments is what I live for. It's incredible to witness these love stories unfold. And to document it in such a pure + intimate way is what I do best.
This documentation of love brings joy to so many of my clients and in the end, that is truly what I hope to do. I want to spread joy as far as I can and to as many as I can. I think a way to do that is by what I’m doing here. Sharing my life, with all of its beauty and all of its imperfections. Perhaps this is the start of leaving a positive footprint in the world.
As I begin to sign off, I’m thinking of all of you. You wonderful, beautiful humans. I’m hoping these weekly posts will bring you a piece of joy and a piece of inspiration. And I can’t freaking wait to see where this blog takes us together.
Thank you for being here, and welcome to my story.
xoxo,
