Hi, I am Jen, but MOST people call me “Jolly”, which is truly a better descriptor of who I am, than just "Jen".

I am the owner and photographer of JollyJenPhotography located in the Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia area. The studio address is actually in Burnt Chimney/aka Wirtz but I am less than 10 miles from the water.

I am frequently asked "Why are you a photographer?"

Here you go...this is my WHY!!

It all began when I was the historian for the yearbook as a senior in high school

(not to mention just how long ago that was)

I became a photographer because I love capturing the magic of a moment. If you take a peek at the images on my website, you will see my passion. I love to preserve life for all. We all have a window of time to share, capture, and love. 

THAT is a TRUE story!

My fellow photographers often tell me to photograph what I LOVE... therefore my specialities are:

• high school senior portrait photography
• commercial photography
• corporate head shots/ commercial photography
• family portrait photography

My careers shifted from teaching elementary school (and attending grad school to become a principal) to pharmaceutical/medical device sales and now to what I always wanted to do.... PHOTOGRAPHY! It will be 10 years in June that I have been "living my dream" as a professional photographer.

I opened the studio in June 2013 and I have to say that I LOVE waking up everyday, asking myself, "What can I do to help my clients preserve their most precious memories"?

I ask myself, "What can I offer that no other photographer can offer?"

• Enjoyable shoot
• Tailor every shoot to the personality of the client(s)
• Provide products that my clients will proudly hang on their walls and cherish forever

I truly believe in always trying to get better at what I do. I do not look at other photographers as competition, I just want to be better than I was yesterday.

NEVER STOP LEARNING!

During my “downtime”, I enjoy boating at Smith Mountain Lake with family & friends, reading a GREAT book (life is too short for not so great books... I am a book-a-holic, working out with my "other family" at Body Shoppe Fitness,  traveling with my hubby/bestie, walking, and teeing it up!