Experimental archiving that records the messy truth through story
Services
Portrait and event photography based in Nashville, TN, available for sessions, celebrations, and creative projects of all kinds.
Don’t see your project listed here? Send me an inquiry with some information, and we can talk more about your budget and your vision. I’m open to anything, one time I shot a heavy metal music video in a dojo. (True story.)
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$300-600
Great for engagements, content creators, small businesses, families, and more
Includes film coverage (Polaroids, 35mm)
Not time-based, usually runs for 1-2 hours at one location
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Photos starting at $300 + Video starting at $1000
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Approach
“Photojournalism” has lost a lot of its meaning in recent years because everybody throws that phrase around as a buzzword for the concept of candid portraiture. Many photographers have started leaning into “authenticity,” capturing events like weddings as they see them, aiming for some kind of “real” that is hard to find when we’re all trapped behind our screens or relying on things like AI. It’s why film photography has had a recent boon: people want true-to-life imagery, and they want it to look like a movie.
And hey, I’m no different.
But the truth is, life is messy. Things do not go the way you plan them. And all that chaos deserves to be captured too.
My shooting style is chaotic. If you hire me to shoot your music video or take photos at your wedding, I will show up with upwards of five cameras, and at some point I will probably end up on my knees, on the ground, frantically trying to find another Polaroid cartridge because I forgot how many shots I had left. I like wide-angle lenses so I can be up-close and personal for all the action, and I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself to get The Shot.
I want my photos to feel diaristic, like you’re stepping into a memory rather than a magazine. Though each image can stand alone, I prefer to think of them working in tandem as a series, so some photos feel more atmospheric and abstract than others. I photograph sincerely and honestly, and most of all, I aim to be an archivist. That said, I do hope to capture the special moments with artistry and a dash of creative flair. Just because we’re documenting life with truth, it doesn’t mean we can’t make the truth a little bit beautiful.
Photography is an experiment, even when you’re doing something as controlled as a wedding or a portrait session. This is the joy of film, that you may or may not get the shot you’re hoping for - and you might end up with something better than you imagined.
Whether I’m shooting on film or on digital, I want to see what kind of magic I can make with a single moment in time. I want to tell a story, and I want it to be real, but I also want it to feel like a memory from your favorite childhood summer: hazy, nostalgic, and probably a little bit messy.
My hope is that I capture images in a way that feels earnest, if only because that’s how I like to live my life. I’m not afraid to adapt, to try something new, to fail spectacularly. (And believe me, I do.)
Testimonials
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Absolutely! I usually visit one or both US coasts annually, and I’m always visiting loved ones near Chicago. I also have a soft spot for the mountains out west and pretty much any place that’s near a National Park.
Dream locations: Thorncrown Chapel and/or Anthony Chapel in Arkansas, Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Minnesota, Germany, Italy, Greece, Scotland, Switzerland
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I’ve had plenty of clients highlight the need for privacy when working with me. Sometimes that means their images don’t get shared online, but more often than not, it means supporting clients while they navigate their identity and all that entails in relation to our project. I’ve done proposals with people whose families don’t know they’re queer, I’ve photographed couples who cannot publicize their identities due to their careers or communities, and I’ve worked with clients who are actively worried about where they should take photos because they fear for their safety in Tennessee specifically. Whatever discretion you need, and in turn, whatever support you need to deal with that discretion, please know I have your back. I appreciate when people are upfront about their needs so I know how best to support you, but trust that I’m always cautious when working with queer and marginalized identities as I know just how dangerous the world can be. I love you!!! I’m rooting for you!!!
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Film coverage looks different for every project and client. I have a collection of analogue cameras that I love hauling to shoots, including a vintage Nikon, a toy Holga, and a variety of instant Polaroids.
While I’m always open to preferences and suggestions from clients, I generally like playing around with stocks and cameras to find something uniquely tailored to each project. My analogue style leans more towards the experimental and less towards fine art, so even though your film photos may not be cohesive, I promise they will make you feel something. Polaroids get scanned and mailed to you, and you’ll get HQ film scans of everything that you can save and post accordingly.
Even though film is already included in most of my packages, if you’re interested in primarily using film for your shoot or your wedding (or adding film to digital shoots), please let me know so we can plan accordingly!
Read more about analogue photography here.
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My trusted lab for developing is Boutique Film Lab in Nashville! They often scan my film, but sometimes I do it myself with a little help from Negative Lab Pro. My favorite place to buy film is Reformed Film Lab.
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I include film in most of my shoots because I enjoy shooting film, but if you’re looking to ease the financial burden of a wedding or a photoshoot, we can absolutely talk more about pricing a digital only project.
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I’m always looking to support up-and-coming indie artists, particularly those with marginalized identities like trans, queer, or BIPOC, so if you’re looking for a creative collaborator but don’t have a big budget, please tell me your wildest dreams! Check out my archives page to see work I’ve done for indie artists with small budgets and send me an inquiry about your specific situation.
My repeat artist clients are Frances Praet, Jacque Jordan, and the band mercury.
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For weddings, I’ll draw up a contract to protect you and me from The Great Unknown (hopefully, not another global pandemic), and then once you sign that and put down at 20% nonrefundable deposit, you are officially booked on my calendar!
For all other projects, I tend to forgo a formal contract, but I’m happy to write one up if you so desire. Usually for photoshoots booked more than a week in advance, I’ll take a 20% deposit to get you on my books.
Note: any deposit goes towards your final total, so it isn’t an extra add-on.
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Even though I have been known to take on last-minute shoots and weddings, the earlier you can get on my calendar the better! On average, most portrait shoots will book a month out, and weddings will book anywhere from 6mo-1yr in advance. My weekends fill up pretty quickly for summer and fall.
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Absolutely! Even though I haven’t mastered the art of prints and albums, I do give you free reign to go crazy. My galleries offer high-quality prints and products, but you’re welcome to shop in your budget and take my photos with you. Please print (and back-up) your photos!! Seriously!
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As long as you tag and/or credit me, you’re welcome to share wherever. Please tag me on Instagram @jennaclarek or use my business name Jenna Clare Photography and spread my good name!
