Jen Huang of Jen Huang Photography is a medium format film photographer based in the USA. Her photography style can easily be described as light, fresh, clean and beautiful. Nothing is overworked and every image I've seen from Jen could be a stand alone art piece.
In a time when photographers get told to succeed you must specialise for Jen, it's different. Her specialty is the look and style she creates, shoots and captures…. within her style, any subject is available and open.
Weddings, portraits fine art, travel, lifestyle all photographed in her beautiful style and all in a style that's in demand and clients are looking to pay handsomely for.
In this interview, discover more about Jen Huang, her business, her success, why it's so important to find your style and how to attract the right clients to you once you have.
Here’s some of what we cover:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more content and we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed for and include:
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interview with Jen, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
Plus, access to a members only Secret Facebook group where you'll connect with other members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take what you hear in each episode and put it into action. You will not find more friendly, more motivated and caring photographers online.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
If you are going to increase your rates you have to take that gamble – Jen Huang
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Jen or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
The NEW Photo Xperiment Podcast is live and available
Following the success and support shown by listeners after the experimental format of the recent interviews with Ian Weldon and Roberto Valenzuela, the new Photo Xperiment Podcast has been launched and is available on this site and in iTunes now.
Interviews are underway and I'll be looking for new guests, not restricted to wedding and portrait photographers. If you have someone you think would be a good fit, let me know in the comment area below or email me, andrew@photobizx.com.
I don't think wedding photography should be trendy. I think it should be classic – Jen Huang
The idea behind these interviews is to get into the headspace of the photographer and find what makes them tick, what drives them, their thought process, philosophy on shooting and how they achieve what they do with their photography. So yeah, a little technique type content too.
These interviews will not focus on the business of photography – that'll be preserved solely for the weekly and unchanging format of the PhotoBizX podcast.
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Want to Meet Up in Paris?
I'll be heading to France in July to see the Tour de France and ride my bike with a bunch of mates but have a few spare days at the end of July in Paris if you want to meet up?
I'll be free from the 28th – 30th July. At this stage I have no accommodation booked or any real plans except to go exploring with my camera.
If you're around or can be in Paris on one or more of these days, let's meet up for a couple of hours or more and go exploring together.
Alternatively, if you have any recommendations for me, things I must see, do, experience or photograph, please let me know in the comments area below or by email, andrew@photobizx.com.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
I just love the ability to roll the film, wait for it to wind, you know take one image per scene and really think about it and that's kind of the way that I am – Jen Huang
Equipment:
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/3.5
Ilford Delta 3200 120mm Film 10 Roll Pack
Kodak Tri-X 400TX Professional Black & White Film ISO 400, 35mm, 24 Exposures
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Jen for coming on and sharing what you did – so many takeaways and you truly are an inspiration!
I am really deliberate about everything. Anything that you might question whether that was deliberate or not, is was definitely deliberate – Jen Huang
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Hi! I can’t seem to find Jen Huang’s book as mentioned in the podcast? Only the “Workshop in the Box”. Do you have a link to purchase the book…
Thanks in advance for your assistance!
Hi Nina – I just heard back from Jen in regard to your question, she says:
There was the option to purchase the book on it’s own but it has sold out! I will try to put it up again as a solo product soon.
Thanks so much Andrew for your prompt response!
No problem Nina. If you don’t purchase the box, I’ll add a comment here when I hear Jen has the book back in stock as a solo item.
Hi Nina – just heard back from Jen, she says:
I just put it up again, and I have my printer fulfilling it straight from them so it’ll take a little longer to ship, about a week… but it is available 🙂
Thanks so much, I will go and check it out!! Thanks again!
Hey Andrew and Jen,
Loved this chat Andrew and I have to totally agree with you Jen, film and digital do have a totally different look. I too, have been shooting film for over 25 years and have been drawn more and more back to film. I recently purchased a new (2nd hand) Nikon and shoot more and more film with every shoot. I also shoot medium format. I too, could never get really passionate about digital,I still use it, but still use film at any opportunity.
Great interview guys, great content. Well done.
Chris
Thanks for taking my suggestion Andrew and bringing Jen on to your podcast!!! Fantastic interview!! Loved every minute. I would love to hear more about her idea of props to weddings too!!! That was different!!! Maybe someday you can have her back.
I bought her book last year and it is full of photos and info.
You are amazing Andrew!!! You always keep up the good work and ask the best questions!!
Dawn
Hi Dawn – what a terrific suggestion Jen was – thank you!
Yes, I should have explored that aspect of props more, must have been sidetracked. Does Jen cover any of that in her book?
A follow up interview is definitely on the cards!
And thanks for your kind words Dawn! 🙂
Hi Andrew
No she does not cover the props in her book. That was actually the first I have heard about bringing your props besides maybe some glitter scrapbook paper to shoot the rings on and little things like that. So I Googled it and there are more and more photographers doing this. Cool idea.
I contacted Jen about her book because I did not recognize the photos. She told me that she had changed the photos out but kept the same content. I bought the book last year.
Thanks again Andrew. I enjoy the photographers talking about film and digital both. There seems to be more and more film photographers out there.
Dawn
This was also the first time I’d heard anything like the before – it is a cool idea!
You have a great track record now Dawn… If there’s another photography you;d like to hear, let me know. 🙂
Hi Andrew, I just finished listening to this podcast with Jen. In fact I wasn’t going to listen to it as I no longer shoot weddings and I’m feeling so nostalgic for the “old days” when I shot film. In 2009 all my film camera’s were stolen from my studio, my Hassleblad, and my 2 cannon 35mm. At the time, I just thought, oh well, I hadn’t used them in years it doesn’t matter. Now, after listening and looking at Jen’s work I’m feeling so sad that I dismissed them so readily. Actually the only wedding I shot on digital was my last, I hated it! Perhaps I’ll find an old Hassleblad and start over, or a Contax! Jen’s work is amazingly beautiful, I feel like I need to step up my game.
Thanks for sharing Jen and Andrew
Hey Elaanor – love that you enjoyed this one, Jen is an amazing photographer and business woman.I can just imagine how you must miss those old cameras, especially the Hasselblad!
You need to check out the interview with Sandra Coan who shoots portraits on film and is equally inspiring: https://photobizx.com/Portrait+Photography+Business+with+Film+and+No+Props+Sandra+Coan
Make sure you listen to the Premium version of the interview.