She is the inspiration for our brand’s beauty and grace, as well as the biggest proponent of perpetual innovation. Jennifer not only brings a keen feminine perspective to the table but also ten years of corporate career built on innovation and targeted efficiency. When you pair those two things with the depth of care and compassion that she has as an awesome mom of three amazing little children, you’ll find that she can cut through obstacles like a surgeon while preserving the most precious sentimentality of any task. She is equal to any challenge no matter how in-depth, artistic, or personal.
You wear a lot of hats, like many folks in the small business world, what role in your life brings you the most joy and fulfillment?
I was born with an oddly shaped head so sometimes it’s hard to find a hat that fits perfectly but, you just keep trying, right? Hands down, there is no role on earth that gives me a greater joy, than being a wife and mother. Though at times the role of mommy is long, exhausting and even heartbreaking, the motivation and love that fuels each day is the deepest I have ever experienced. As a wife to, and business partner with, Benjamin, our marriage and partnership intersects at every level of our life and I wouldn’t want it any other way. He knows my weaknesses and strengths and encourages me in both, in the most loving way. He believes in me and inspires me to grow daily in this role to be the best for him, for us, for our family and for you.
Because you’re very talented as a businesswoman, your artistic creativity often gets second billing on the marquee, how do you feel like the depth of your creative background helps to shape and guide your business and personal minds?
Art is hard work, it is a skill that if nurtured, appreciated, and pushed it brings such incredible joy and a unique voice and gift to those who experience it. Business is an art. Sales is an art. Communication is an art. It all takes creativity, originality, authenticity, experience and vision to excel. I am more grateful now than ever for the art lessons, museum tours, hours of piano practice, art exposure and the overall fearless creativity and drive for excellence my parents instilled in me. With this in mind I desire to approach each client interaction, each business task with this type of creative and efficient mindset.
Let’s talk about your art for a second. It doesn’t take more than a glance at your Instagram to see that you view the world in a beautiful way. What do you look for as you capture real life moments?
Seeing as 98% of my instagram feed is filled with phone snapshots of the day to day life with our babes and business, I love to capture the emotions of any given moment. Whether it is the pure joy of finding a worm in the dirt, the giggles of playing chase, the chaos of trying to take a family selfie. I choose to experience the moment along with those I photograph, rather than pause the moment to create an image. Have no fear, my feed still full of its fair share of food, flowers and weddings.
My Grandmother used to say, “The problem with life is that it’s so daily.” With so may things going on, what recharges and inspires you between projects?
It may sound repetitive and hard to believe seeing as we spend all day, everyday, together. But the simple (and somewhat rare) Sunday off, going to church as a family, sharing lunch together and family time at the park, feeding ducks, walking or hiking together, these moments refuel me to no end. Pair that with a date night with Benjamin, enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail together or dinner at Third and Hollywood with lingering and long conversations about anything and everything, or time spent with our families and friends or a good barre workout, these are the things that keep me going.
Everyone might not know, but you are in fact a classically trained pianist. Do you think it’s easier to read all of the lines of a Scarlatti and play them to perfection or manage a business and a family at the same time?
My 18 year old self would confidently say that mastering a technical piece is hands down more difficult. But as the years have gone by and life and work have evolved, managing a business, client relationships, family needs and desires and personal time is by far the greater challenge. The beauty of hours of piano practice is the singular focus. The ability to spend hours meticulously centered on the minor (and major) details of one unique project until its just right, and personally complete. Managing a full time business and full time family possess a different beauty. The beauty and depth of people, physical needs, limited resources, creative problem solving, the success of those around you and not just yourself. It may be the most challenging thing I’ve been a part of to date. And someday soon I will try and spend a few hours perfecting, yet again an old classical piano concerto too.
Ok, let’s shift gears a little towards more important hypothetical questions. If you had to choose between chocolate and ice cream, you can have one every night for the rest of forever without any calorie ramifications and the other will become like poison to you! Which would you choose?
This is a silly question, a mother should not be asked to name a favorite.
A lot of people regard your hair as the gold standard for curls, volume, and effortless beauty. What’s your secret?
Well thank you, when its not 92% humidity here in Ohio, I keep it simple. A $15 target curling iron, drug store dry shampoo and the occasional messy mom bun.
Let’s circle back to your photography for a second, what do you think is the most important kind of photograph?
To me, it is the images that capture and showcase love, a love that is patient, kind, forgiving, generous, strong, humorous, genuine, eternal. A love that transcends time and location, and reveals the heart of person, relationship, or moment. Some of my personal favorite images include, the first time we held our babies in our arms after hours of labor, riding on my dad’s shoulders as a little girl, laughing with my mom and sisters as we try for the hundredth time to take a selfie after a girls day or Benjamin washing my feet on our wedding day as an act of Christ like love and leadership. These are the moments we cherish and the images I strive to create.
Life changes quickly, one of my favorite things about photography is that it suspends the reality of time’s relentless march. What is your favorite photograph or series of photographs right now?
My mom loves watercolor so naturally growing up we learned a lot of O’Keefe and her watercolor work. I was recently flipping through an O’Keefe art book and found this set of two very uncharacteristic, simplistic, black and white line drawings. I was, and still am fascinated by them. Something so simple, yet what inspires each stroke? Why create and save these pieces in her complete body of work? What would or should my line drawing look like and why? So I’m thinking about this and hoping to create a set of pieces for our living room to mirror Benjamin’s photography soon! Who knew simple lines could be so intimidating, so meaningful?
Lastly, In the world of reality TV, are you team “The Bachelor” or “Bravo”?
If I have a half hour or so to sit and escape, fold laundry (and I don’t fall asleep) or looking to put a show on while prepping dinner, team BRAVO all the way. I’m a loyal NYC housewives fan and the occasional WWHL, though based off some of the IG stories and commentaries I have seen, I may be really missing out on some pretty ridiculous bachelor comedy.
Precious images of George ad his first trip to the Christmas tree farm! Sooooo adorable! Love your mantle, tree and decoration that you add with the fresh garland! Just beautiful! It is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Derkin Home! My love to you all!!!!
As photographers and parents we LOVE capturing images of #babyderkin. George is our constant muse and source of joy, he makes it easy (along with an iPhone) So naturally, we discussed ideas of how we should create an image for each month of his first year (feeling somewhat compelled to do so by the current trend of parents and images FILLING the internet.) Prior to his birth many brilliant and creative ideas were discussed, then George was born and we found one ingredient lacking…time. As it happened Benjamin took several Polaroid images during our first month as a family and thus the tradition began.
Today we are sharing with you the behind the scenes glimpse at the making of a monthly Polaroid. Benjamin got creative and fancy with month number five, using his Graflex 4×5 Speed Graphic camera testing out his New 55 film. Happy Monday and happy five months George!
Lake Au Train in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – August 2015
Each year we thoroughly enjoy our family trip to the UP! From crossing the Mackinac bridge, to playing cards, lake night campfires, jumping off of bridges, hiking waterfalls and more, the UP is always filled with special memories and time together. After traveling to the UP for years as a child, a couple dating then married, this year we came with our son! George did a GREAT job on the 12 hour car ride and loved all of the fresh air, cool breezes and outdoor time with family. Here is a small collection of images from our trip that Benjamin shot with his Fuji X Pro 1. We look forward to sharing some film shots in the future as well! Thank you mom and dad for another amazing vacation!
-Jennifer
To see more images from our trip check out our instagram accounts: mrsderkworks & derksworks
The newest puppy addition to the family, Daisy (Day-Z) Paul and Stephanie’s ADORABLE golden retriever puppy!
George’s first time in the cool clear water of Lake Superior. He took his time, but soon warmed to the waters.
We love our PhotoBooth so much that we enjoy it at our family parties and special events too! This time we brought it out for my mother’s 60th surprise party! My mom is a beautiful, kind and generous mother of 6 as well as a grandma to 6 grandchildren. It was a joy to bring together family and friends to celebrate her special birthday! Happy birthday mom, with love – Jennifer xoxo
Thank you Jennifer and Benjamin for your wonderful gift of this photo booth in addition to the surprise party! They are wonderful! Love them so much! Love you all even more!:-)
Designing and creating a room is fun, building an environment is even more fun and challenging! When creating George’s room we thought about how we wanted the room to feel, what we wanted George to grow up looking at, thinking about and how we could make the most of each investment and piece for future babies and family. the result was better than we could have imaged! Here it is; a peaceful and loving space, calm, fun, useful and filled with personal & intentional expressions of love, art and family! In the few short weeks we have been home, Benjamin, George and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time in his room, even those late night feedings and especially the cuddles & snuggles; we hope you enjoy the space as well.
As we prayed for George in the womb and to this day, we pray that he would grow to be both courageous and kind. Benjamin and I made this piece that hangs above his crib. It was a collaboration, I watercolored the background and Benjamin lettered the words. An expression of love and prayer from mom & dad.
The above piece is the catalyst and culmination of art, family and love for the room. Each image represents an individual memory and aspect of George’s parents, grandparents and great grandparents. My mom drew and painted each image with love and as it hangs above his crib now and in his future rooms, we are and will continue to tell George stories and memories of his heritage of love.
Hello sunshine print (Rifle Paper), a gift from G&G Derkin and a dear nickname for Benjamin as a child.
Handmade, soft, warm blanket from Aunt Courtney, made with love for George!
Love the soft and simple Aden & Anais linens, swaddlers, loveis and blankets.
Investing in a comfortable and beautiful rocker is something I am very glad we did! I have already spent countless hours in this chair and will spend many, many more! This is the West Elm Graham Glider in a custom heathered wool blend.
Words escape me as I try to express the joy, love and blessing I feel as we welcomed our son this Sunday. The love I feel and am overwhelmed by is not only for dear George but also for my amazing Husband. He is already a loving & selfless father, a Godly example of courage and truth, but he also has been and continues to be my rock, my best friend, my love. Benjamin was my constant during pregnancy and even more so in labor. When we arrived home this week from the hospital Benjamin had the most loving array of flowers delivered with the following song. Thank you Benjamin, for letting me be the rose of your heart, You (& George) are the joy of mine!
We’re the best partners this world’s ever seen,
Together as close as can be.
But sometimes it’s hard to find time in between,
To tell you what you mean to me.
You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you’re tired, rest your head on my arm.
Rose of my heart.
When sorrow holds you in its arms of clay,
It’s rain drops that fall from your eyes.
Your smile’s like the sun come to earth for a day,
You brighten my blackest of skies.
You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you’re cold, let my love make you warm.
Rose of my heart.
So hard times or easy times, what do I care,
There’s nothing I’d change if I could.
The tears and the laughter are things that we share,
Precious images of George ad his first trip to the Christmas tree farm! Sooooo adorable! Love your mantle, tree and decoration that you add with the fresh garland! Just beautiful! It is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Derkin Home! My love to you all!!!!