Not everyone finds their way back to their teenage passions, but Kimberlee Jensen of Lovelee Photography isn’t everyone. Throughout high school, she picked up any change to add a photography class to her schedule but as she got older and headed off to college the dream of opening her own store and fashion took over. While that dream took a backseat she fell into the world of childcare. Being a nanny eventually led her not only to her husband with whom she started a family, but also back to her original love -photography.

“Throughout our relationship, we were always talking about our dreams and how we wanted to build a life together and I knew I didn’t want to make nannying a career, as I wanted kids of my own. So I thought about my passions and photography was there at the front of mind, and so it began. I started taking online classes, practicing and developing what I wanted my photography business to look like.”

Now Kimberlee runs her own business and while opening a store may still be in her future, she’s focused on snapping shots and potentially opening a studio. Now let’s get to know more about this master behind the lens.

Kendra: When you started, did you focus on one genre like weddings and gradually add engagements, babies and families or did you go all-in with them all at once?

Kimberlee Jensen: When I started I was mainly photographing kids and babies. Then eventually was just trying everything to gain experience and see what I really loved and now I have narrowed it down a bit more. My focus is on weddings/engagements, families and newborn/milestone sessions. I do things outside of these, but these are my primary focus.

Kendra: Some photographers love working with kids and base their whole career around that type of photography and others that’d rather sit on the plains of Africa waiting to capture lions on film. Everyone has their thing. What’s your advice to those who are toying with the idea of baby and family photography but don’t know if they can handle it because they fear working with children?

Kimberlee Jensen: My advice is to start with people you know! Use your friends and family who have kids and babies! This is a great way to ease into these types of sessions and see if you enjoy and can handle all the chaos that is a part of photographing kids and babies!

Kendra: Speaking of kids, with smartphones in the hands of almost every parent – kids these days are some of the most photogenic I’ve ever seen, and stylish. I just think back to my pics at that age and they are awkward as heck! Do you think our obsession with Instagram and picture-perfect shots is taking away the old-timey tradition of capturing your kids’ not-so-perfect moments to then showcase when their dates come around years later?

Kimberlee Jensen: Honestly I don’t think so! I think those not-so-perfect pictures get just as much attention, if not more, than the picture-perfect ones! Don’t get me wrong, I definitely think there are people out there who use Instagram to portray perfection, but I know when I see a “real” picture of a kid having a moment, I definitely am more intrigued!

Kendra: You have three kids of your own. Have any of them showed an interest in photography and do you think any of them would ever come on board the team when they were older?

Kimberlee Jensen: None of them have shown an interest yet! My girls love having their photo taken though, which is great for me! I do have a 13-year-old niece who is very interested in it though and will be shadowing me on a wedding I have coming up, so I’m super excited to see her potentially take it up!

Kendra: On top of all the kids and families you shoot, you also do a great deal of weddings throughout Southern California. From your side of the camera, what’s the most ideal moment to capture at a wedding and frame forever?

Kimberlee Jensen: Honestly, something that I LOVE to capture, that not all bride’s do, is a first look with their dad. I’ve shot many first looks between the bride and groom, but there is something so incredibly sentimental and special about capturing that moment between a dad and his little girl!

Kendra: Random, but I did ask another photographer a similar question but about hot dogs. So since you’re a Starbucks fanatic, what drink would you say is the most photogenic on their menu?

Kimberlee Jensen: Such a funny question! I would have to say their Unicorn frappuccino! I think that’s what it was called! I don’t know that they have it year-round or if it was just a random addition, but it was so colorful and fun looking!

Kendra: Back to you and your work, what’s going on as we head out of 2019 and into 2020 for Lovelee Photography?

Kimberlee Jensen: This month and next are filled with weddings and family sessions, so you can find me dancing the night away on the dance floor with my brides! Heading into 2020 I envision a lot more weddings and I will be saving up to start renting space for a studio! This is a part of my photography business that I am hoping to grow and I can’t wait to have a larger studio space to make my own!