Meet Jennifer Starr

We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Starr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Someone wise told me once that your career is a marathon, not a sprint. After nearly 2 decades in the marketing & communications industry, I finally feel like I’ve found the perfect work/life balance as a digital marketing consultant and pet photographer.

Starr Creative Solutions LLC was formed to house all my services under one umbrella. This includes private and commercial photography, Going with Grace© sessions for aging and critically ill pets, social influencer services, social strategy, copywriting, content creation and digital marketing consulting. As a wife and mother, I’ve learned it is possible to follow your dreams and have a career without missing moments with your family.

Once upon a time, I wanted to be a Vet. I longed to help animals, comfort pet owners and work with furry creatures in my career.  While I am not a Vet and I don’t save lives – I do hope that my photography brings peace to pet parents experiencing the pain of losing a pet. After a Going with Grace session, my heart is heavy but also humbled with gratitude that God chose me to help others say goodbye to their pet.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
With nearly 2 decades of expertise, I am an internationally published pet photographer, animal enthusiast and photo restoration artist, born and raised in Kansas City. I specialize in digital artistry and natural light photography of dogs and cats. I also opened a studio space inside Melissa’s Menagerie in Olathe earlier this year. In 2012, I founded Going with Grace© to honor and celebrate the lives of aging and critically ill pets.

Going with Grace photo sessions are what is closest to my heart. I strive to make these sessions lighthearted and not as ominous or depressing as it might appear. After 20 years I still don’t know how I manage to make pet parents giggle or smile during these sessions, but I do. And I’m so thankful for each of my clients who finds me and trusts me with their heart.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Persistence, discipline and passion. I’ve always had the mindset to never give up. I’m so thankful for all the great leaders that I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. One of my mentors once told me “Remember what gives you energy and lean into that.” After that conversation, I dug through some old boxes and found my Junior Writer Award medallions, perseverance recognition plaques and even drawings of dogs from when I was my daughter’s age. It all started with my childhood dog, Galahad. We were inseparable from birth until he passed away of old age. I drew him and I wrote about him. 28 years ago, in the late 90s I was furiously typing away on my Brother word processor just hoping to see my name in print one day. I submitted my articles to various pet publications, only to be rejected time after time at the mere age of 13. But I was persistent and finally one editor saw something in my writing. But she rejected my article too, with the caveat to re-write it from a different perspective. And that re-written article was not only published, but went on to be submitted to the Dog Writers Association of America writing contest (and win!) in their junior writer category.

My biggest advice is to recognize and thank mentors who take the time to lift others up and help them succeed.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking forward to making new connections. I work with small and large business owners looking to grow their social presence and hope to see their brand soar to new heights! I have a deep-rooted history in the pet care market, leading social strategies and media campaigns for a variety of clients. I’m a well-respected leader, best known for photo sessions honoring critically ill and aging pets, editorial photography, social influencer services and animal rescue community involvement and advocacy.

Please contact me for a complimentary virtual or in-person meeting to explore your needs and see if we are the right fit together!

www.starrcreativesolutions.com
[email protected]

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