We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Cortiella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what do you attribute your success to?
I would say the most important factor behind my success is being intentional with my clients. My business motto is: Say what you mean and mean what you say. This is my core business value and my promise to my couples. To be transparent, honest and constantly communicate with them. Trust and integrity are the keys to a great client experience and that’s exactly what I want them to have! I’ll build that trust by fulfilling every guarantee I make to them and I’ll show my couple my integrity by delivering exactly what and when I say I will and going above and beyond because I truly believe my job is more than one day of shooting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I consider myself to be the guru of capturing authentic moments. I was told I have a knack for making people comfortable with my quirkiness which helps with the authenticity of my photos. What sets me apart is that I will always go above and beyond for my couples. Trust is key. I spend time with each couple ensuring I build that trust, and I always stick to my mantra: “Say what you mean and mean mean what you say.” I am so proud of my recognized work, being published, and being featured in well known wedding magazines, but what I am most proud of is being part of non profit organization called Magic Hour Foundation. Working with this foundation I am able to provide free photo sessions to cancer patients. Helping them see their beauty in photographs is really fulfilling. Before I was a full time photographer I was a paralegal for 6yrs, and finally one day I got the courage to quit my 9 to 5 job to pursue making my dream my career. It was not easy. It was scary, but I was determined, driven and worked hard every day to get where I am today. I’ve learned many lessons on this photography journey,  which are: take a business class, hire a good CPA, network with local vendors, get a mentor, keep educating yourself, get out of your comfort zone, be humble, remember your word is your bond and believe in yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well Miami, FL has a little bit of everything and its so diverse! Let’s see our first stop will be Wynwood to check out the art murals and a quick bite at my favorite spot Zak the Baker, then we will go little Havana and indulge in the culture and maybe play a quick game of dominos with the locals and have lunch at Taquerias El Mexicano, dessert at Azucar Ice Cream Company and so we won’t get sleepy get a good cuban Coffee at La Colada Gourmet “THE HOUSE OF CUBAN COFFEE.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to Zack Glen my mentor from Bow Tie Photography, Photographer Robert J. Hill, and Photographer Joe Hendricks. My husband Walter for being there for me I don’t know where I’d be without him. From him, I learned what unconditional love feels like, how to get back up, even after you’ve been knocked down and that success looks different for everyone, which shapes everything I do today. My favorite book is How to Win Friends & Influence People.

Website: https://www.cortiellaphotography.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortiellaphotography/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cortiella-39641483/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cortiellaphotography/