01 OC Mag 01-24

found her.
“When the Northwestern
Beacon needed a photographer,
I joined and
eventually became the
photo editor of the newspaper
for my junior and
senior year,” Jenni said of
the student-operated publication.
It’s a passion that Jenni
was a natural at.
“Photography came
easy to me. I love all mediums
of art and still practice
some and am always picking up and learning
more such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic
painting, embroidery, line art and a lot more.
But photography is just what makes sense to my
soul,” Jenni said. “I don’t know if I ever planned
on it paying the bills, but it is now my full-time
job that feeds our family.
“I did other jobs through 2012 as well while
JENNI O
PHOTOGRAPHY
www.jenniophotography.com
I was building up my
business. It never felt
like a decision I actively
made. It has always
been something
I love doing that also
happened to end up
being my full-time
job.”
She officially started
her business in 2008
and photographed
senior portraits and
weddings. She and
her husband, Kyle, relocated
to Texas while
he attended graduate
school and then it
was onto Minneapolis
for two years while
he interned. All the
while, she continued
to photograph special
moments.
Jenni and Kyle moved back to Orange City in
2012 when Kyle was hired at Northwestern in
the college’s strength and conditioning program.
While the couple settled down back in Orange
City and started a family, they have a 5 and
3-year-old, Jenni’s business has enabled her to
indulge in one other of the great loves of her
life — travel. She photographs special moments
in and around Orange City but often is hired for
weddings and photo shoots in faraway places.
“I have always loved to travel. Before I went to
college, I had already seen more than 45 states
thanks to all the camping trips we would go on,
and now I’ve made it to 49 and many countries
too,” Jenni said. “I’ve learned to be comfortable
sleeping anywhere if I have to, just for the experience,
getting up early for the best light, staying
up late for the Milky Way in dark sky country,
etc. Being uncomfortable for a little can help
make incredible lifetime memories.
“My parents love to travel, especially my
mom. She’s the reason I’ve been to Alaska, and
I hope I can go back with her someday. On our
wedding day, she told Kyle to please, instead of
giving me things, give me experiences. And that
is pretty much all we do. I’ve always treasured
my memories of seeing and experiencing the
world with my parents, and now I get to do the
same with Kyle and the kids.”
While it is true Jenni loves to travel, she’s
44 OC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2024