Living here in Alaska has been such an amazing experience. I’ve had the most amazing adventures here and I have met some AMAZING people, including the INSANELY GORGEOUS JEN!!!

Jen is a native of Alaska, originally from Shageluk, Alaska. She is the oldest of three sisters and is the proud mama of two absolutely beautiful kids and two dogs. She works for her village corporation, Zh-Tse, Inc., something she is very proud of.

“As a woman that comes from humble beginnings, I always wanted to better my people, my village and give back to my community. I never thought as to what form or capacity that would be in but now that I’m in my current position, I see our mission and a clear vision of growth and I am so proud to be a part of it all.”

One of the things Jen and I both love is the strength and resilience of a woman. We both find strength in strong women with vast experiences and elders with stories of strife and how they overcame it. Their stories has such an effect on how we both work in both our professional and personal lives and that is something incredibly special to me.

“Their past is something to be respected and loved because we can all learn from their experiences and appreciate the people they are now because of their history. I always say, ‘If they can, I can and I will.’ “

Jen and I met after I photographed her friend Doneen for Mother’s Day. She came to the studio for updated professional and personal portraits and I am so glad she did!! She has such an amazing spirit and not to mention she is SUPER stunning! Once Aurora and Emily of Icebox Beauty did her hair and makeup, she literally GLOWED!!

 

The more time we spent together, the more I loved her! This chapter in her life is such a beautiful one and I for one am SO excited for her!

“I would of never thought I’d be in love again. I thought my time to love and have a partnership was over and that I got a beautiful and sacred son out of it. I had made my peace with it all. And then BAM!…this wonderful Danish musician appeared in to my life and completely turned it upside down and became my best friend!”

When I asked Jen what she wanted her legacy be, she gave the most perfect answer:

“I would have never thought about ‘legacy’ until I began working for my village corporation. I would hope that my legacy for my Deg Hit’an Athabascan people is that we use our abilities for the greater good of our culture, our people and our land. For me, I am such a small being in this big life. I just hope my work and legacy is that we provide for our people for the next 20-50 years, for our future shareholders and younger generations. Let’s keep the same opportunities afforded to us, still open and made better for them. My hope is that I am a good servant of our Lord, an example to others and a Momma bear that makes my children proud.”

Jen, thank you SO much for coming into my life and making my world brighter! You are an incredibly beautiful woman and it is my honor to have captured your spirit. I absolutely adore you!