Story & Lesson Highlights with Jennifer Bond of Alexandria

Jennifer Bond shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I feel like I’m power walking down a walking path most the time but yet find myself wandering a bit when I see something that catches my eye lol if that makes sense. It makes sense in the chaos of my mind.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey yall, Jennifer bond here! Owner of SunnLayne photography. I’m a self taught photographer from Los Angeles Ca newly moved to Alexandria La.
I’m a homeschooling mom of two Married to a hardworking blue collar man.
I’ve been doing photography for about ten years, and still madly in love with it. We loved to Louisiana about 2 years ago, so I had to start my business from scratch, which was tough but I feel like it’s almost to where I would like it to be again. I have met some incredible clients that I can now call my friends and have gotten to work with some great businesses, one particular favorite is doing jiujitsu photos for Genesis Martial arts.
Branding session have my heart but family sessions run the roost around here. I love working with families , especially when they trust me and allow me to use my creativity. Documenting the small moments and tiny movements between family members is still so exciting for me.
I make my clients move, laugh, and play with one another. I want them to leave their session smiling and out of breath.
My motto is “capture the madness and make it magic” so that means I gotta drive you mad first right? Hahaha

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Woah that a rough one. As a child I believed I had no talent, no power and I was stuck in the hole I was in forever.
Well that was true perhaps, that little girls maybe wasn’t talented, wasn’t powerful ….but now she’s 40 and beyond what she ever thought she could be.
It took a very long time to learn and heal that little girl. I’m humble about my talents and gentle with my power and in return I have found an amazing community that surrounds me with love and support.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Weekly! The imposter syndrome is a real creep. I doubt myself and beat myself up all the time. I’m terrified of letting my clients down or someone being disappointed in me. Making art out of the images of people is a very tall order. You want so badly to show them what you see from behind that camera, all that beauty and light! The way their eyes catch the light, the way a husband smiles at his wife while she swings their toddler onto her hip, the watery eyes a mom gets when her husband lays their newborn on his bare chest, the smile from a toddler when I make their daddy pick their mommy up and swing her around. These moments I want them to see! Not to focus on the double chin when you laugh (cause let’s face it, it’s natural) not the one piece of hair that is out of place, or the crocked shirt. Let’s switch the perspective.
So yea….sometimes I think about quitting cause sometimes I can’t get a client to focus on the beauty, but than I have a client that is brought to tears by their moments and it recharges me all over again. I can be a little Emo

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Unfortunately yes lol would be a lot easier if I could just fake it But it ain’t in me. I spent way too long not knowing who I was and even longer faking it.
This is me!
I talk to much, I cuss, I drink way too much much coffee, I’ll hype you up, I’ll cheer for you, I’m mean, I’m kind, I’ll protect you, I’ll tell you the truth…..I’m a mixed bag of glitter and razor blades

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
In some things. Photography I will give my best all day everyday without praise because I need to be happy with the product I put out there! Don’t get me wrong, I love a good “omg Jennifer these are perfect” after sending a gallery. I have to give it my all because this is what I love to do. I feel it deep down in my bones, the passion and love I have for this is almost painful.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ink2flesh tattoo

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