Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Zmuda.
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I started my path with dance as a pinkie (3-year-old in a pink leotard) in Florida, moving through a more serious ballet training as I got older. I had the privilege of training with noteworthy summer programs like Ballet West, Sacramento Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. I went on to receive my B.F.A. in Ballet with a teaching emphasis from the University of Utah, and my M.F.A. in Dance with a choreographic emphasis from the University of California, Irvine. I picked up photography as a fun side hobby when I needed to create visual marketing assets for my thesis performance in grad school. After graduating I taught and choreographed for local studios, ran a community college dance program, and started my own small modern dance company. Through all of which I continued to integrate photography and film work to support and document dance. From there it was a slow transition as I began to refine my photography through self-study and practice. I began to take paid work photographing dance unrelated to my own dance projects. From there the transition continued to where I am now photographing and filming amazing dancers, choreographers, and directors in the professional sphere as well as creating and directing my own creative projects. I also photograph families and people at all stages of life and serve businesses both large and small.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I suppose looking back it’s been pretty smooth but within the moment I felt all the fear, anxiety, and self-doubt I think most people feel when they’re pushing through into new territory. I still do struggle with imposter syndrome from time to time and question if I really have a handle on what I’m doing or not. Thankfully I have a strong network of friends who will give me a gentle shake and remind me of what I’ve accomplished so far and that I must be doing ok if I was able to achieve what I have.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a single mother by choice who runs a woman-owned small business providing photography and video services to three types of clients – commercial clients ranging from non-profits and small businesses to fortune 500 companies, dancers and dance companies both nationally and internationally, and families from newborn babies, families, seniors, engagements, weddings, and expecting new parents.
My main goal is to amplify the story of my subject and bring out the beautiful qualities I see. I want to help my clients create stunning visuals that help them to launch their products & services to project their business into a success, to bring out their unique skills and artistry to help them connect with dance companies and their community, and to preserve the most valuable of our family memories and moments, In effect, I want to make tangible the qualities that make us unique, relatable, and beautiful. I’m known for creating vibrant and stunning images as well as rich story-telling.
My brand is all about serving you and meeting you where you are. I want my service to be accessible to all and am able to scale my services to different budgetary and project needs.
What’s next?
Oh, a lot. Inspiration strikes pretty frequently and it’s hard to decide which idea to pounce on first. Some short-term goals include developing new relationships in my community to serve those who could benefit from what I offer and continuing to develop my skills in new techniques through collaborative projects with some fellow artists. Pre-Covid I had plans in place for a national dance photography tour to reach out to dancers in all corners of the country and plan to reignite that idea once Covid becomes a bit more contained. In the mid, to long run, I’m working to expand my team and hire additional associate shooters, editors, and project managers as well as find the ideal space for an official permanent studio.
Contact Info:
- Email: jzmuda@jenniferzmuda.com
- Website: www.jenniferzmuda.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferzmuda_dance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferZmudaPhotography
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jz_dance_photographer
Image Credits
Jennifer Zmuda
