Vendor Spotlight Series: Jena Darnall of Sunshine Sentiments
Welcome back for another incredible vendor spotlight. I had the pleasure of meeting Jena and her husband at a recent wedding expo and I am so excited to share her work with you. She is an amazing photographer and she has some great pointers for your wedding timeline!
Jena Darnall is a Raleigh-based photographer who is ready to capture the moments that you will treasure for a lifetime. Give her five minutes and you’ll soon realize what a treasure she would be to have around on your wedding day.
Let’s dive into our little series and meet Jena
How did you get started in your career? “I have always been around cameras and documentary work because of my dad. He finished his career in serving the public as a private investigator, so he was always lugging around film cameras and camcorders. If you can imagine the large camcorders that you had to carry on your shoulder and view through an eyepiece, that was what my dad carried around everywhere he went! He would bring his massive camcorder to every soccer game, dance recital, kindergarten play, and more- so we have some really amazing family memories to look back on because of him. I took that as inspiration and I got my start in my career about 4 years ago, when my family pitched in to help me purchase my first Nikon D750 for Christmas in 2021. I spent the entire year learning the ins and outs of the camera, asking my friends to model for me, and attending styled shoots to learn how to work amongst peers while also beginning to refine my creative skills. In 2023, I suddenly lost my dad to cancer. We were super close - he was my best friend, a true guiding force in my life. I immediately went back through all the memories he created for us, but I had very few recent photos of him or of us to hold on to. I felt this massive hole in my chest because I didn't have enough memories of him to tangibly hold. While navigating this massive grief and change in my life, I had nowhere to turn but towards my camera. And so Sunshine Sentiments was born: based off the nickname "Sunshine" my dad gave me. Sunshine Sentiments has grown from this insatiable desire to document and preserve tangible memories of loved ones, to capturing all of life's big and small moments, milestones, and celebrations. We are inspired by family legacy, deep connections, and loud laughter. We preserve your moments- the meaningful, the fleeting, and the sentimental, so that you can celebrate and relive those moments throughout time.”
What has been your biggest challenge during your career? “My biggest challenge in my career has been learning how to shift into a business-owner mindset. Building and maintaining a business is not for the faint of heart - especially in a heart-driven industry like the wedding industry. I have always led with my heart first - I'm empathic, compassionate, and understanding. But running a business is so much more than that. In order to survive and thrive, you have to balance the empathic side with the business owner side. It is learning how to hold firm boundaries without feeling guilty or worried about disappointing people. It means learning how to protect your business, setting boundaries for your business, and finding resources that help you run your business as effectively as possible. It means balancing kindness with firmness, managing your own well-being outside of your business, and enforcing policies so that you and your business can be long lasting.”
What’s your favorite part of the process or what aspect do you enjoy the most about your business? “My favorite part of owning a business within the wedding industry is getting to witness all the joy and love there is in the world. I get to be side by side with people who are enjoying the best days of their lives - that's huge! I get to feel the energy, share the dance floor, and deliver the most precious memories to the very people who place their trust in me. Also, the connections I make with other business owners really fuel my soul. Being a business owner can feel very isolating at times, so I never take for granted the connections I get to make with people.”
What’s something unusual that you love to see at weddings? “I love to see people do things their own way. You want to ride into your ceremony on a horse? Okay, Cinderella! You want your dog to sign your wedding license as the witness? That license better get framed!! I love seeing people choose to make their wedding day personalized, incorporating certain touches that are true to who they are as a couple.”
What’s the one thing you think that most couples don’t consider for their wedding or what do you wish they thought more about? “I wish more couples would incorporate more buffer time on their wedding day, more time to really enjoy every moment they've been planning for so long. Too often, I see timelines that are planned out down to the minute - leaving no room for leeway. This can make an already very busy day feel rushed. Take the extra 5 minutes to be alone in your wedding dress, take the extra five minutes after your first look to chat about how your mornings have been; build time into your day so that you can truly immerse yourself in these fleeting moments.”
What book do you recommend the most often to friends? “Verity! The twists and turns keep you engaged. I've never read a book so fast.”
What purchase of $100 did you make that positively impacted your life? “A costco executive membership haha! There are SO many benefits and anyone who has the basic membership is really missing out!”
Not only is Jena’s work beautiful, but her personality truly lives up to her nickname of Sunshine. Reach out to her at the links below and see for yourself.
Until next time,
Klarie
Where to find Jena:
Instagram @sunshinesentimentsphoto