Spotlight | Kate Linden Studios

I've had the pleasure of getting know to Jennifer of Kate Linden Studios over the past few months, and what can I say about her except that she's fabulous! I love her personality, her work and her ability to make me smile via Twitter every single day. Jennifer is an amazing photographer who works out of her studio on the East side of Michigan and I highly recommend her & her work.

I had the pleasure of doing a Q+A with her and I hope you enjoy getting to know Jennifer as much as I have.

Who or what inspires you as you work?
It sounds so cheesy and obvious, but I am most inspired by my clients. Their passions, personalities, and style just fill me with ideas! When I'm actually shooting, I am drawn to light, colors, and action. Those are the 'tools' I use to capture the passion, style and real life moments in a way that the client will adore.

What is your favorite subject?
Weddings, weddings, weddings! My biggest passion is weddings - I simply adore getting to know my clients and then capturing all the love and effort that has gone into their special day. In close 2nd are high school seniors and engaged couples because we can play around and try new things, so it's very experimental for me. It's where I can experiment with lighting or poses and get them perfected for the wedding day since I'm always trying to grow my work.

What would you be doing if you weren't a photographer?
I'd probably be a starving musician! I've loved music all my life (band AND choir during high school and then I majored in music briefly in college) but my talent is directly related to being behind the camera. Hence the reason I'd be starving!

If you could photograph any wedding --past or present--who would you pick?
This is a toughie! I'd probably say a wedding planned by one of my favorite wedding planners because details are my favorite thing to capture. So something planned by Pearls Events, Colin Cowie, or Sasha Souza. Aside from that, I love working with REAL couples so I'd take working with the sweetest, most fun couple over anyone famous or even a lavish budget. As long as the wedding is full of personality and style, I'm in!

What is your favorite location--near or far--to shoot?
My passion is for new locations because they inspire me so much, however, I love photographing on the coasts of Michigan. I have a very special place in my heart for destination Michigan weddings. I'm in love with every wedding I've ever photographed on the shores of Michigan! Coastal Michigan weddings are always so spectacular both in beauty and style and they are always brimming with joy and laughter!

What is a little known fact about yourself?
Most people don't know that I got in engaged while I was still in high school. Dan proposed while we were surrounded by my friends (planned) and the football team (unplanned!)--when I said yes, everyone cheered! We were engaged for a little over 2 years when we got married. Here we are 8 years after that, going strong! I married my high school sweetheart :)

Describe a perfect, non working day in your life
I love love love what I do so there's still probably a camera involved (I have a little point & shoot that I literally carry EVERYWHERE "just in case") Let's see...the perfect day would give me time to write, maybe curl up with a good book, catch up with friends over coffee, go exploring (I LOVE going and exploring new places, near & far) and then finishing the evening up with my love sipping some chai redbush tea (yogi tea). Though lately we've been wrapping up with wii...that's so much fun!!

Jennifer's Two Cents....
The heart of what I do is serving my clients. I want to know them so I can capture them in a unique and relevant way whether it's their engagement, senior pictures, newborn or wedding. When I work with clients, I spend a lot of time getting to know them and their style, personalities and preferences. When the wedding day arrives, we're like old friends which I love because it allows me to capture the day from the perspective of a friend but with the professional talent and everything that goes with that. I'm not the kind of photographer you hire and forget about and don't even recognize on your wedding day. I immerse myself in the details so I can capture the nuances of everything. First dances always get me, I usually have to hide behind my camera so no one sees the emotion--I just love how couples stare deeply into each other's eyes like there is no one else in the room. I have been blessed with the most amazing clients and I am grateful for every one. I often come away from a wedding with this insight into who they are at the core and just feel so blessed to have been brought into the inner sanctum of their love. It's totally amazing and I am always in awe of what amazing people I have the honor of working with.