Meet Jeni Brunner | Equine Photographer

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

Hi Jeni, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My photography business was started somewhat on accident! I grew up riding and showing horses; this sport consumed my life from the age of 5 to 16. I chose to take a break from horses as I took on a new sport and many classes as a running start student. After graduating high school and college, I didn’t get a camera with the expectation of turning it into this career; I originally asked for a camera for my 18th birthday with the hopes of just taking some nice photos while on my personal travels. Shortly after learning how to use the Nikon d5500, I dove straight into the fashion photography world where I photographed models in Seattle for clothing companies, thanks to some good prior connections I had in the industry. About a year into my business, I was able to bridge the gap between fashion photography and horse photography. Several fashion magazine covers and publications later, I focus my equine photography business on helping horse girls feel like supermodels while capturing the incomparable bond between a horse and rider.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I started my business in 2017 as an equine photographer. My work over the years has evolved, my business has progressed, and I have continued to change as a person too. I think the most important thing a person can do is change! I’m very grateful for the opportunities my business has given me throughout the last 7 years. I’ve photographed so many amazing people and horses all over the world, I’ve been able to define and continue to attract my ideal client, and I’m so excited for what opportunities may arise in the future!

There will always be challenges in life, but a Chinese Proverb I will always refer back to is about a farmer. The proverb goes like this…

A farmer and his son had a beloved stallion who helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away and their neighbors exclaimed, “Your horse ran away, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

A few days later, the horse returned home, leading a few wild mares back to the farm as well. The neighbors shouted out, “Your horse has returned, and brought several horses home with him. What great luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the mares and she threw him to the ground, breaking his leg. The villagers cried, “Your son broke his leg, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, recruiting all the able-bodied boys for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son, still recovering from his injury. Friends shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!” To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

If a session has to be rescheduled because of the weather, it may be bad or it may be good, we’ll see! If I hurt my back and can’t shoot for a few months, it may be bad or it may be good, we’ll see!

I don’t need the world to know anything about me, I want the world to know more about themselves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite city in Arizona is Scottsdale. It’s one of the best in the country for amazing horses! The first stop would be West World to watch a horse show. I love the facility and the amazing horses the venue brings in for each of their shows. A visit to West World could last a full day. Another must-do for the trip would be a reining riding lesson at Linde von Koding Performance Horses. Linde was the 2023 Horse & Rider Trainer of the Year, and she is so deserving of that title. The Mexican food in Arizona is some of the best you can find in the country, in my opinion! I don’t think you can go wrong with any Mexican restaurant, especially in Scottsdale.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my friend, Baylie Berendsen. She’s the one who helped get my start in fashion photography and has continued to support me as a photographer and a friend year after year even as my business trajectory evolves.

Website: jenijophoto.com

Instagram: @jenijophoto

Facebook: @jenijophoto

Image Credits
These photos were all taken by me, Jeni Jo Photography