We were lucky to catch up with Jena Ulriksen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jena, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is a tough one to overcome. I’ve noticed almost everyone goes through it, and it’s a totally normal thing to experience. For me, it’s all about remembering that I am unique, how I relate to and care for people is unique, and what I create is unique. I am worthy of obtaining everything I dream of, experiencing all things I want to, and creating the life I deserve. Reminding myself that I am inherently unique and inherently worthy helps me overcome imposter syndrome.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a wedding and family photographer focused on capturing love stories and preserving your most sentimental moments for years to come. I am based out of Colorado, but I also travel to my couples and families to capture their stories. What makes me different is the way I connect with people. I am intentional and interested in you- my client, my peers, anyone around me. I began photography many years ago, but built it into a business of April 2023. My brand’s name Sunshine Sentiments is based off of the nickname my dad gave me, Sunshine. He (and my mom!) has always supported my goals and dreams and encouraged me to go after new things. When he passed away in March of 2023, the very first thing I did was go looking for photos of him, of us, of our family. I realized that all of the photos I had of him were from the 90’s, and wished I had taken more as an adult. This drove me on the mission of capturing everything- for all my clients- and myself.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
There are so many qualities and lessons that are impactful on my journey. I’d say three most important skills or qualities are passion, grit, and people skills. You can have all the knowledge in the world, you can know how to use a camera or editing software, but what you oftentimes can’t teach is how to care for your craft, and how to care for people. I would recommend focusing on who are you, who you want to help, and how best to support them. From a business perspective, you must be courageous and have the grit needed to navigate all the difficult times that will inevitably come your way. You must learn how to grow a business from the ground up. And never forget that you must also be humble, as you will continue learning every step of the way.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with! I am a big advocate for wanting to surround myself with other brilliant humans. It is so important to have community, to have mentors, to have peers and other people who you can bounce ideas off of, or turn to when you need support. I love working with other creatives, it inspires me to see other people’s ideas come to life. If you are a model with an idea you want to bring into the world, let me know! I’d love to help capture it. If you are a wedding photographer and need a second shooter for the day, I’d love to hang out and work to help you capture love stories. If you are a makeup artist or hair stylist and need branding photos done, reach out to me so I can provide you with some stunning imagery. You can message me on instagram @sunshinesentimentsphoto or email me [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunshinesentimentsphoto.com
- Instagram: @sunshinesentimentsphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunshinesentimentsphoto or Sunshine Sentiments
Image Credits
These are all my images! 🙂
