Jenn Spain | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenn Spain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenn, did college have a meaningful and positive impact for you?
College certainly had an incredibly positive impact on my life because of the people that I met during my time there. I formed bonds that manifested into life-long friendships however, I use exactly zero of my two (very expensive) degrees. Our country holds this standard notion that you need to go into debt to get ahead and it is both absurd and damaging. While I deeply value the relationships that came out of my college experience, I’m certain I could have made friends without spending 100k. Ultimately, my talent, hard work and commitment to my clients is what built my business…. not my degrees.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a photographer who specializes in boudoir, portraits and weddings. A turning point in my career happened in January of 2019, when I launched my boudoir studio. Creating a beautiful, safe space for women to tap into their beauty and express their sensuality is an immense source of pride. I wouldn’t describe the process of opening a studio as “easy” but it was an incredible labor of love. Just as important as having a physical space was developing a way to communicate to my clients that gets them to open up and really be comfortable expressing themselves in a vulnerable way in front of the camera. Developing my skills as a director ended up being one of the most crucial points to the success of my business. I unlocked the secret to finding that “magic moment” when a woman shifts from being a little shy or stiff in front of the camera to being a confident bad-ass who takes joy in her own body and that sets me apart from other photographers. My brand is all about inclusivity, self love and taking a chance on yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
LA is a beautiful gold mine of places to explore and visit. I’m an absolute foodie and I love getting outside so most of my recommendations revolve around those two things. Move your body and then stuff your face! My favorite hike in Griffith Park is a must for all my guests. I love driving them thru the canyons of Topanga and up PCH to hit El Matador State Beach and then lunch at Malibu Seafood. When we go downtown I love to show off Grand Central Market and the Last Bookstore and then cruise over to Republique the best dinner of your life. A concert at the Hollywood Bowl is a must for any music lover (and if they’re friends with me that’s pretty much a guarantee!) My own neighborhood, Atwater Village, is a true gem that has charmed the pants off everyone who has ever explored it with me. I love grabbing brunch and blood orange mimosas at Momed or if I’m in the mood for something a little simpler, I opt for the best breakfast burritos in LA over at Tacos Villa Corona. Atwater has so many incredible boutiques, shops and bars that its easy to spend the whole day wandering up and down Glendale Boulevard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have found my path as a photographer no matter what but it wouldn’t have happened as quickly as it did without the support of my husband, Josh. His endless support, encouragement and absolute belief in my success lights a fire in me like nothing else.