Jenny Generoso - Photographer

Jenny Generoso is a Everett, WA based photographer. Originally from Southern California, Jenny holds a degree in Nursing and a Masters in Health Information Technology. As her family grew and husband pursued his career in medicine, Jenny took the time to become a stay at home mom and pursued photography. She had always held an interest in photography, always shooting photos of family and friends on point and shoot and disposable cameras. Over the last couple of years, Jenny has been able to expand her career to another level. With a eye for what her surroundings are, Jenny remains focused on the subject, “I like sitting with my subject and we have a conversation, then I shoot. When I collaborate with somebody and I’m bringing one of my ideas to life, whether it be in a studio or not, that genuine conversation and joy of it is what I shoot." Jenny focused on Filipina influencers and models for Filipino American History Month last October 2020, and this past Asian Pacific American Month focused on Asian Am creatives in the Seattle are. She finds beauty in all body types and skin tones, currently focusing on photography more beauty and editorial. “I want to showcase women of color, men of color color of all body types in an editorial style because I look on the internet all the time and there’s not a lot out there out of that space. I have decided that I want to make this my goal of showcasing more diversity in an editorial and beauty realm, so I’m really working towards that right now.”

https://www.jennyrosophotography.com
@jennyrosophotography

How did you cultivate your creative career? Were you always interested in art and photography?
Yes, I was always interested in photography specifically. I was the kind of person who always had the camera or taking pictures of other people. I was the first one out of all my friends to have a point and shoot camera and all that stuff. I was always the one with the little disposable cameras. Actually, I have a degree in Nursing and a Masters in Health Information Technology. I was a nurse for 12 years. 6 years ago I had kids and my career took a back seat. My husband was in medical school, then residency and then fellowship and we had 3 kids to care for. As a stay at home mom, I needed a creative outlet and turned to photography. I realized early I enjoyed it, and wanted to expand on it. The last 2 years I took my photography to the next level.

Can you describe your photography style?
I wouldn’t say I have a style, I think my style is whatever I was feeling in the moment or whatever the environment calls for. If i’m doing a sunset shoot, it would naturally be a really warm and golden style. For a studio shoot, a crisp, clean edit. I’ve always tried to focus on the subject and really make them as beautiful as they should feel. I have a really strong connection to women of color, so showing them in a beautiful light is always what I’ve been trying to do.

I noticed you shoot a lot of portraits, What have been your favorite shoots so far?
Collaborating with other creators. I am not a shooting the mountains kind of person. I like sitting with my subject and we have a conversation, then I shoot. When I collaborate with somebody and I’m bringing one of my ideas to life, whether it be in a studio or not, that genuine conversation and joy of it is what I shoot.

Have you shot any themed, branded photos?
My first really big project that I ever decided to take on in October 2020 was for Filipino American History Month. I did a shoot with Filipino influencers and creatives in the Seattle area. My focus was on Filipino women because we don't see them enough in a modeling/ photography/ fashion space. I love to focus on them because that’s what I like to see. At the end of last month for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I shot a lot of the Asian community in the Seattle area. I just really like Asian Americans because they feel like home to me, and I really like to support other women owned businesses or women of color small businesses.
You embrace all body types and skin tones, why is that work important to you?
Oh my gosh, I could totally show you a picture of me as a child . I was considered very dark, I was very overweight as a kid with really bad acne that shaped me and how I felt about beauty. There is this big concern in Filipino culture about being dark or overweight. I have 3 kids. I have a daughter and I’m like you’re beautiful, you’re everything and more. I tell my sons the same. I want to show everybody that you know it doesn’t matter if you’re a size 00 or 22, you are beautiful. I want to shoot you and how you feel and how I see you, which is always going to be beautiful and amazing. It doesn’t matter if you’re dark or light or whatever because I wish someone had told me that when I was growing up.

What is your dream photo shoot?
As a new photographer I set goals for myself. I worked with a local Seattle photographer named Shannon Beauclair, she’s an award winning master photographer. I messaged her and we became Instagram friends. I always admired her and told myself I’m going to work with her one day. When I did, it was an amazing experience. I think just surrounding myself with like minded people who have the same goal as me is just a dream. Someone who shares the same vision of creating something unique and a need to find beauty is who I want to work with.

Who or what has been instrumental in your personal and creative growth?
Anybody I came across, negative or positive. For my Filipino shoot I met Vanessa Ronquillo, she’s a Filipino plus size model and we totally vibed. My friend April Nguyen who is a photographer, too. I lean on them for support. People who encourage and understand you. When you can chat about anything and they understand and help encourage you to push through the negative comments and keep going. People who push you to reach your goals.

Do you have anything coming up that you would like to share?
I have a kind of exclusive! A few weeks ago I went through a creative slump and was unhappy with what I was doing. This is a very busy season for photographers. I took a step back from family photo shoots and shifted my focus to beauty and editorial. I want to showcase women of color, men of color color of all body types in an editorial style because I look on the internet all the time and there’s not a lot out there out of that space. I have decided that I want to make this my goal of showcasing more diversity in an editorial and beauty realm, so I’m really working towards that right now.

Photos courtesy of Jenny Generoso