Photographer | Artistic Visionary | Confidence Curator
Welcome to The Curvy Boss Highlight, the place we have a good time plus dimension professionals who’re boldly constructing lanes of their very own. Twice a month, we shine a light-weight on curvy CEOs, consultants, creators, educators, and innovators who’re redefining what management appears like past the runway or influencer world, like right now with Jillian Pfennig!
This sequence was born from one highly effective fact: you can’t be what you can not see. Illustration doesn’t cease at vogue campaigns or social feeds… it lives in places of work, studios, boardrooms, and each area the place influence is made.
Final time, we featured Charese Chambers, the Fractional CFO and Implementation Coach behind Monetary Fancy, who’s serving to entrepreneurs flip ardour into revenue. This time, we’re stepping behind the digital camera to fulfill a artistic powerhouse who’s capturing the wonder, confidence, and brilliance of curvy ladies via her artwork.
This week, we’re spotlighting somebody who’s no stranger to The Curvy Fashionista household. Jillian Pfennig just isn’t solely a dynamic photographer capturing the daring and delightful, but additionally our West Coast contributor! Whether or not she’s attempting cryotherapy for the primary time, Weed Yoga, or leaping into one other unforgettable LA expertise, Jillian brings her signature mixture of enjoyable, curiosity, and creativity to all the pieces she does. Her fearless perspective makes her one to observe and one to know.
Let’s step behind the digital camera and meet the curvy artistic serving to ladies see their brilliance via her lens and turning vulnerability into visible celebration.
Meet Jillian Pfennig, the Photographer Turning Empowerment Into Artwork
For Jillian Pfennig, images is greater than a career, it’s a type of liberation. Her work is about serving to ladies, particularly plus dimension ladies, see themselves as artwork.
“I started my images journey eager to empower ladies to really feel comfy and horny of their our bodies,” she shares. “There isn’t any higher feeling than to embrace your vulnerabilities and switch them into one thing to be celebrated.”
From boudoir-style classes that remember self-love to artistic shoots that burst with shade and creativeness, Jillian’s images transforms hesitation into empowerment. Her mission is easy: assist ladies see what has at all times been lovely about them.
Behind the Lens: A Day in Jillian’s Artistic World
No two days look the identical for Jillian and that’s precisely how she likes it.
Her favourite a part of her job is brainstorming wild, daring concepts and bringing them to life. She has made a costume out of taking part in playing cards for a shoot in entrance of the Las Vegas signal and used vibrant holi powder for a desert session that regarded like a dwelling rainbow.
“If in case you have an concept you wish to flip right into a shoot, I’ll gladly brainstorm the best way to make it a actuality,” she says.
That artistic spark is what retains her impressed. Each shoot, each location, each mannequin brings a brand new story to inform and she or he’s the one capturing the magic.
The Energy of Advocacy and Neighborhood
Like many plus dimension professionals, Jillian Pfennig has confronted bias in her trade. “Many people are nonetheless judged for not being succesful or being lazy, simply due to our our bodies,” she says.
However when doorways didn’t open, her group stepped up. “I’ve had different plus dimension babes advocate for me to get alternatives for skilled headshots or yoga occasions,” she shares. “As soon as folks see what I can do, they understand my expertise has nothing to do with my look.”
Her recommendation? Advocate for your self and for the folks in your nook. Neighborhood will be the distinction between being neglected and being seen.
Illustration Via the Lens
“Illustration is all the pieces,” Jillian says.
As a plus dimension photographer, she is aware of firsthand how tough it may be to ebook vogue images work while you don’t match the trade’s picture of who “belongs” behind the digital camera.
As a substitute of ready for permission, she creates her personal alternatives… typically utilizing herself or plus dimension fashions to show that vogue, magnificence, and creativity exist at each dimension.
“I’ve accomplished vogue shoots utilizing my very own fashions and even myself to point out that I can shoot excessive vogue as a curvy boss,” she says. “We should be seen and celebrated too.”
How Jillian Cultivates Confidence
Confidence doesn’t at all times come naturally, and Jillian is the primary to confess it.
“I don’t naturally have a commanding presence,” she says. “I’ve needed to work at talking up and exhibiting others that I’m in cost. Even when my voice is quiet, I can nonetheless believe in what I’m saying and guarantee everybody is aware of I imply enterprise.”
That quiet confidence reveals in her work. Whether or not she’s teaching a shopper via their first photograph shoot or capturing somebody’s boldest self, she creates an area that radiates security, freedom, and enjoyable.
Inspiring Confidence in Others
Jillian Pfennig’s superpower helps ladies see themselves in a brand new gentle, actually and emotionally.
“I’ve satisfied many ladies to shoot with me who didn’t assume they had been ‘fashions,’” she says. “They begin out timid and not sure, and by the tip, they’re requesting to attempt one thing spicy.”
Her philosophy? “You’ll be able to attempt any shot. In case you hate it, nobody will ever see it however you and me. It’s price an opportunity.”
Via that secure, affirming vitality, Jillian transforms her photograph classes into highly effective moments of self-acceptance.
Her Recommendation for Aspiring Curvy Bosses
Her recommendation is brief and highly effective: Do it scared.
“Take an opportunity in your desires and create a group that may embrace you and advocate for you,” she says.
That braveness has carried her profession and continues to encourage others to take that first daring step towards what they love.
Type and Consolation: Her Skilled Hack
As a photographer who strikes continuously throughout shoots, Jillian is aware of that consolation and confidence go hand in hand.
“In case you’re energetic throughout your job, be sure to’re comfy, particularly your sneakers,” she says. “In case you’re in ache, your finest work received’t shine via.”
As a result of true boss model is all about having the ability to transfer, create, and personal your area.
What’s Subsequent for Jillian Pfennig
Jillian is simply getting began.
She’s presently submitting her work for extra publications and awards so her artwork, and her perspective, can attain wider audiences. She’s additionally planning new shoots particularly designed for publication, mixing creativity, vogue, and empowerment.
“I at all times respect purchasers who don’t need their pictures displayed on-line,” she says. “However I additionally need my work to be seen. Illustration solely grows after we take up area.”
Her Favourite Technique to Have a good time a Win
“I really like celebrating my associates, so I’ve been studying to have a good time myself the identical manner,” she says.
She treats herself after finishing a shoot by investing within the subsequent one, and when it’s time for a giant celebration? “Journey. At all times journey.”
Dinner With Her Dream Friends
Jillian’s ideally suited dinner visitor record is as artistic and daring as her work.
- Her Grandma, a mannequin in her day, whose tales she’d love to listen to from an grownup’s perspective
- Cindy Sherman, the self-portrait pioneer who impressed Jillian to experiment with taking pictures herself when fashions weren’t accessible
- Harriet Tubman, a fearless chief and fellow mind damage survivor, whose power and resilience proceed to encourage Jillian deeply
Know a Curvy Boss Who Ought to Be Subsequent?
We created this sequence to highlight plus dimension professionals who’re innovating, creating, and main with goal. These are the tales that usually go untold however should be entrance and middle.
If a Curvy Boss, or if you are one, we wish to hear from you.
Nominate or apply to be featured right here!
As a result of celebrating curvy professionals isn’t only a pattern, it’s a motion. And we’re simply getting began!
