Meet Jeanna!
Hello and thank you for visiting my page. My name is Jeanna, (that's Jean-na, like Gina). I was born and raised in rural Oxford, Iowa where I still live today with my husband, John and our two boys Trevor & Tripp, on our family Century Farm.
My passion for photography developed while very young through 4-H but became an obsession when I took my first photography classes in High School and Collage. Although I loved taking photos on the side while I went to school, I believed owning a studio and doing what I loved for a living was just a dream. But after working at Flash Digital Portraits as the Lead Photographer for 4.5 years I was ready to start my own business.
In October of 2008 everything just came together and I opened Portraits by Jeanna. I started out renting a studio space on the East side of Iowa City and after 3 great years I was ready to move on. I moved into what I believed to be my forever home in North Liberty the fall of 2011 where my business grew more than I every could have imagined!
In 2019 I was driving through my home town of Oxford and I saw a sign in the window of the old bank building, it was for sale! I have loved this old building my whole life. I called the number and within a few weeks I had the North Liberty studio space on the market and I owned that old bank building! It was a huge leap of faith but I have never been happier or felt more at home in my studio space. I was able to create the perfect studio to fit my needs as an artist as well as my style. I am so proud of my beautiful studio that allows me to create the perfect controlled environment for your sessions!
It is my goal to create and capture memories and moments to cherish for a lifetime. Each session is unique and all about YOU. My work is creative, natural, fresh, and artistic. It's my goal to create images that will be displayed as artwork in your home as well as capture milestones in your growing family.
I photograph in a style many may not have experienced before in that I will never ask a child to smile or say the dreaded, "cheese". They call it a cheesy smile for a reason, right? I capture the natural expressions that you see every day from your child.
During your session I will most likely be barefoot and crawling around on the floor with your kids. I earn different expressions through play rather than through demands and guess what...? Kids love it here and often ask when they get to come back to see Jeanna again. That is the ultimate complement!
With over 15 years experience photographing infants, families, and high school seniors I am proud to say that not only will you leave PBJ with great portraits but with a great experience as well.
What's a Master Photographer any way?
I am always working on my craft and furthering my skills through, workshops, conventions, classes, and print competition. I earned my Master of Photography degree from Professional Photographers of America in 2021 with local and national award winning images.
For the past four years I have been taking classes approved by The Professional Photographers of America and competed in the International Photographic Competition each year. Through which I have earned merit points towards my degree of Master of Photography. To receive a merit point an image must be accepted into the General Collection and you receive two point when an image is accepted into the prestigious Loan Collection. To earn your Masters you need 25 merit point, 13 of which have to come from print merits and then other 12 can be print or eduction points.
When I started this journey my goal was to accomplish it it 5 years so I was super happy to have managed it in just 4! I am always pushing myself to be better for myself and my clients. The sky's the limit!