Meet Jenny Nordstrom | Fine Art Travel Photographer

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

Hi Jenny, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I actually started my company a bit accidentally when I got laid off about eight years ago — clients started falling in my lap, and suddenly I had a business. My company has always been centered on creativity, but has evolved over the years. First, I was a graphic designer, then a portrait photographer — and finally I became a full time fine art photographer. And this finally feels like I’m completely where I am supposed to be.

I like to tell people that I am a fine art photographer because of Iceland. I had always been passionate about photography, especially travel photography. But when I visited Iceland in 2018, I was incredibly inspired — my mind completely blown by the amazing landscapes and wild beauty of this gorgeous country. One day on my trip, I had a massive lightning bolt moment — THIS IS YOUR CALLING. This is what you’re supposed to be doing with your life — capturing beauty to share with others. And the second epiphany that came moments later, is that — despite knowing how much I really wanted to do this — I had never really tried. I had let external voices convince me that the only way to make money with my camera was in portrait work, which I had never really loved.

So I came home from Iceland determined. I started taking art-specific business classes, refined my messaging, re-prioritized my efforts — and things started happening. I was awarded a couple of solo art shows. I was featured in some media, and won spots in group exhibitions. And finally, two years after Iceland, the game changer happened — I was invited to become a resident artist at the prestigious Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia. It has been a joyful and inspiring time — and I feel that I am finally reaching success that was out of reach before.

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.
A deep passion for color is at the very heart of my fine art photography. (My favorite color is all of them!) I am also hugely inspired by travel, and most of my best work happens overseas. However, I genuinely can be inspired by anything….a special door, a beautiful landscape, an abstraction, the curve of a road, or even a small detail. I am always looking for something authentic, and I firmly believe that even “ugly” can be fascinating and beautiful if you look at it the right way. I print most of my work on canvas, and as a result, my work often has a painterly feel. My favorite thing to do is to go to neighborhoods where there are no tourists and people think I’m lost. To me, this is magic!

I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my career is to do what you love — because once the pieces fall into place and your opportunity arises, you will be on fire to make it work! I have never had so much passion for my work before. It’s humbling to think how many years I spent doing things I didn’t love to do — but also, I do feel that my previous careers were stepping stones to where I am today.

I also think that, while it’s a bit of a cliche, there is a lot of truth in the saying that “luck favors the prepared.” I do feel that my success is due in large part to the fact that once my window of opportunity opened up, I was ready to step through almost immediately.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in the Washington DC area for over 30 years, and love my adopted home. There is so much here to do, see, and eat! I always am a huge fan of the Jose Andres restaurants, my favorites are Zaytinya and Jaleo. And I also love the Unconventional Diner — their pot pie poppers are amazing! I adore the vibrancy of Penn Quarter, which is like DC’s Times Square. But I also love the historical beauty and incredible community of Capitol Hill, where I lived for over 20 years — it’s SO much more than politics! One of my favorite “off the beaten path” places is the Washington National Cathedral — if you go, be sure to take the gargoyle tour, which is awesome, and takes you way up in the towers for one of the best views of DC. (Go with my friend Andrew if you can, he’s an amazing docent there, and gives a fabulous tour!) There’s a wonderful sculpture of Albert Einstein that many people miss, it’s on Constitution Avenue near the famous Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There are incredible (free!) museums everywhere — my personal favorite is the Hirschhorn. And of course, don’t miss Old Town Alexandria, with it’s beautiful historic architecture, gorgeous waterfront — and the Torpedo Factory Art Center! 🙂 (Come see me in Studio 320 on the third floor!)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout Judith Olivia HeartSong, the Owner/Executive Director at Artists & Makers Studios. Judith gave me my first solo show, and she is the wonderful Mama Duck for many, many artists around the country. She champions us, gives us wall space, and lovingly and intelligently helps further all of our careers. I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am without her faith in me. Thank you, Judith!

Website: www.jennynordstromphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennynordstromphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennynordstromphotography

Image Credits
Head shot by Gina Bjornlund Art photography by Jenny Nordstrom