5 minutes with... Denver wedding photographer Jenna Wren

We're starting off the week by chatting with Denver wedding photographer JENNA WREN and finding more about what makes this lovely lady tick! Jenna loves celebrating the joy of her couples wedding day and creating heirloom portraits to be cherished for generations. Inspired by nature and a dream to capture every detail of her clients’ wedding day, she creates imagery that tells a story of their love. As a Colorado and destination fine art photographer, Jenna is excited to create beautiful memories with you. Read on to learn more about her.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER? When I was a little girl, everywhere we traveled I wanted to take photos to remember everything. I always had a disposable camera in my hands as I hiked with my parents and siblings in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I have always been so moved by light. Growing up in Tennessee, I remember stopping in my tracks so many times as the light danced through the massive oak leaves around me each season. I noticed every detail of how the light felt, shaped, and created such changes in the leaves and in nature no matter what time of year. I think photography truly found me. I graduated with an English education degree in 2010 with a huge desire to change the world. As a gift, my husband Steve bought me my first camera. I took it everywhere. We hiked 14ers as a young couple, and once again I’d find myself stopping to feel the way the light hit the trees. This time as I captured the light, I knew I felt something different. I began my career that same year, while I taught high school in Monument, Colorado. As I continued to fall more in love with photography, I left teaching in 2014 to pursue my photographic career. I truly feel like photography has been a part of my life for decades. Now it feels as natural as breathing. I love every moment behind the camera.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PATH TO GET THERE. My path to reach this point in my career hasn’t been completely smooth. When I first began, I photographed everything as so many photographers do. I quickly realised that I love working with couples and celebrating their love story. I grew by trial and error, and I read every book I could get my hands on in those early years. As I jumped into the film world a few years ago, my path allowed me to seek out the top professionals in my industry to learn from. I am constantly learning and growing because I know there is always a next step in my photography journey. I am grateful for this journey. As a mother of 3 children, I hope my children see they can chase their dreams and find true joy in the process.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? My style has always embodied some form of movement, and I love seeing my couples dance together. I see my style as romantic, joyful, and serene. I love the softness of film, and the calm that the mountain air brings to my clients. I love seeing them completely wrapped up in their love, and I love capturing their joy as newlyweds. As a hybrid photographer, I treasure the opportunity to create a work of art for each of my clients that embodies their unique love story.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? At my clients’ weddings, I love seeing the joy of their family and friends as they say their vows. Those moments always make me cry, and I feel so honoured to hear their vows in person. I love that weddings allow my beautiful couples to share their joy in front of their loved ones.

SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGE WITH US AND TELL US WHY. I truly cannot pick just one! I have so many moments that I hold near and dear, and I feel like each of those images and moments hold a special place in my soul. Some of my favourite images are when the groom first sees his bride, and I get to capture his raw emotion. I adore first looks because it is such a special moment just for the couple. I know for me each time I receive my film scans back that I feel like a child on Christmas morning. I can’t imagine that excitement ever dissipating, which makes me fall in love with weddings over and over again.

CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? One of my favourite wedding experiences was actually from a wedding last year in 2020 that of course was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After postponing their ceremony, Tiffany and Skyler shifted their attention to planning an intimate portrait session with me. We had planned to photograph their couple portraits the week before their wedding on a gorgeous pass somewhere in the mountains. So once they realised their ceremony was no longer an option, we threw our energy into creating the most memorable session. She hired a florist to create a lovely bouquet, put on her stunning Rue De Seine gown, and joined me on a private estate in Golden, Colorado. Despite so many setbacks and changes, Tiffany and Skyler had the most joyful hearts. Those moments with them highlighted the entire year for me, and I saw the beauty of resilience in my clients. As we move into a different season of life within the parameters of the pandemic, I found myself so inspired by their strong love and resilience.

ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Strong coffee, nature, and my faith.

WHERE WOULD WE FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? Sunday drives have become quite the thing in our home. We love to grab a warm cup of coffee, strap the kids in their carseats with a good book, and turn on a podcast about marriage. We tend to drive wherever we are feeling inspired in the moment and wherever we can take the quickest restroom break for our kids! In the summertime, our family is often on our boat enjoying the lake together.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? I would spend time at my favourite local coffee shop reading a book then join my family for a quiet walk around our neighbourhood. Steve and I would put the children to bed a little early, cook dinner together, and enjoy a quiet, romantic evening on our back deck as we watch the sun dip below the mountains.

Denver wedding photographer JENNA WREN is a valued member of our vendor collective. A southern girl born and raised with a strong love for sw
eet tea, Jenna is a wholehearted romantic who believes in a forever love. She has a passion for capturing breathtaking love stories for joyful romantics. Jenna has an insatiable wanderlust that keeps her traveling year round, and she is so grateful to call the beautiful state of Colorado home. See more of her portfolio here.