Jennifer Andresen has always worked in creative environments, starting out at the Guggenheim in New York City, then moving on to an interior design firm. But it was her work at a photography studio that made her realise her photography hobby could become a profession. Jennifer now runs Jennifer Andresen Photography, photographing weddings and families in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jennifer has had a great support network to help her turn a creative endeavour into a cash-generating business. Her fiancé is a former business consultant, and her mother is a strong female role model who taught her there is no limit to her potential success in life and business.
“I feel very fortunate that I get to have a business in a creative field. Photography gives me the best of both worlds. I know first and foremost, it’s a business and that I need to make money, but I also get to indulge my creative side.”
Jennifer has built her business with a measured approach, accepting the limitations of a one-person enterprise and using technology to assist where she can.
I used to meet with my clients in person after photo shoots and present their images on a screen, which meant I was focusing a lot of time on one client. I want to be able to work with a larger number of clients but still provide them with the same level of quality, personalised service. Presenting my galleries online with Fotomerchant really helps me maximise my time with my clients and sell more prints. PhotoMerchant marries online galleries and print sales perfectly.
Image: Jennifer Andresen Photography
The success of Jennifer’s business relies on keeping her brand strong and clients happy by doing the highest quality work she can. That means she doesn’t have time to work with complicated platforms when it comes to delivering galleries quickly to her clients.
The PhotoMerchant system is very intuitive and I feel very much in control. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but not a mountain to tackle. I can pinpoint what I want to do, and complete it quickly and easily. It’s exactly what I need, and my clients love it.
Jennifer plans to continue growing steadily, trying to service as many clients as she can.
“In an ideal world, I’d open a studio with room for other photographers, and as I begin to expand, I have no doubt support staff would become a necessity. In the short term, I’ll continue to strengthen my brand and build a strong client base. My future is open and I’m excited for the adventure.”
See how Jennifer uses Fotomerchant for proofing her wedding photos online: jenniferandresen.photomerchant.net/galleries