Get to know the latest Artist to join DMB. Photographer Jenna Gang!

Describe your photography in 3 words?

Playful, vibrant, and often animated.

How did you start out in photography?

I began taking pictures when I was seven years old with a Fisher-Price Perfect Shot camera, but I didn’t know I wanted to be a photographer until I saw my first image come to life in the high school darkroom at 15. After that moment, I was always taking pictures. I decided to go to college to study photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

At the end of my sophomore year, a professor took our class on a trip to Macy’s photo studios in Brooklyn. I was in awe of the incredible space, contacted the studio director, and ended up freelancing there a few weeks later. I slowly grew to appreciate still life photography while assisting photographers at Macy’s studios every summer in between semesters at FIT. After college I worked for Macy’s full time. On the weekends, I went into the studio to test my still life concepts. I began working on their socials in February of 2015 as their first social media photographer, and helped grow their Instagram following from 250k to 1m in two years time. Other brands started to notice the work I was creating for Macy’s, and after 8 years there, I left in August 2017 to focus on freelance work.

What was your first shoot as a photographer?

A still life of my teddy bear with my Fisher-Price Perfect Shot camera when I was seven.

Favourite shoot to date and why?

It’s really hard to choose! I always feel like I’m creating something I’m really proud of while learning so much in the process. One of my favorite recent shoots was a test called Super Cool Underwater Beauty Adventure (S.C.U.B.A.) with stylist Jessica Oshita, an underwater themed shoot featuring cosmetics. I love the colors, textures, and how it’s brought to life with animation and sound.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BntqqQclIPd/

What photographers/artists/places inspire you?

Paper Craft Stores (Paper Presentation, Paper Source, etc) – They have so many unique small sheets of paper. It always gets my juices flowing for a personal shoot.

Cocktail Bars – I love how so many small ingredients come together to make such a beautiful drink. I love the transparency of the liquid against perfectly arranged garnishes.

What is your creative process?

My creative process is very collaborative—I’m constantly bouncing ideas off of clients and stylists to grow our shoot concepts. I enjoy creating decks to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to lighting styles, colors, compositions, etc. Editing my own images and animations (when I have time!) is something I love to do as well. Taking an idea from start to finish is something I find to be very rewarding.