Jeneni Jude on Pursuing Careers in Art and Science

Ever wondered if you could juggle two careers? ‘Make it’ in the corporate world and thrive doing what you love most? Jeneni Jude knows how, and she is spilling!

A public health conference organizer by day and photographer by night, Jeneni is constantly on the move. Here, she tells us how she is advancing her dual careers, connecting with people and the non-negotiables in this journey. 

This interview is part of a series – Women in the Six – celebrating extraordinary women in Toronto following their dreams and charting their own course for success.

How do you spend your days?

J: Each day is different. I work as a public health professional and a freelance photographer. In the public health domain, I work with a non-profit to organize educational events geared towards healthcare professionals, industry experts, researchers, and students in the diabetes community to advance their medical learning and continued professional development.

As a photographer, I work with couples and families to capture their special occasions, collaborate with individuals and entrepreneurs to photograph portraits and tell their real-life experiences through pictures. I also work with small businesses and brands to bring their creative visions to life. Right now, I am teaming up with aspiring models to grow their portfolios. 

Work aside, I like to pursue personal photography projects that make my mind wander, train my view and keep my heart happy. I also squeeze in time to read, exercise, crochet and experiment with new recipes. 

Art or science – That’s a choice most of us encounter at some point in our lives, maybe when we’re deciding what to study or choosing our career. How did you strike a balance?  

J: Well, on the public health side of things, I studied Health Science at university and landed my first job within the non-profit sector in public health. I began by working in patient education, advocacy, research and resource navigation before entering my current role as a Conference Organizer. This enabled me to hone my event management skills, support practitioners in the field and facilitate effective ways to improve patient outcomes through healthcare provider education.

As much as all things health and medical were a natural fit career-wise, I wanted to nurture my passion for photography. I wanted to grow - head and heart, science and art.  

What sparked your interest in photography?

J: My passion for photography started very early when I was in elementary school. I always carried my disposable camera everywhere, especially on field trips. When I got my first digital camera, a Canon PowerShot, I started photographing my friends and classmates at recess, sports events, and extracurriculars. I really enjoyed capturing these moments and showing them to my parents. As first-generation immigrants, my parents didn't explore much of Toronto while I was growing up since they were busy working and rushing between groceries and other daily life necessities. Photography was my way of showing them a piece of Toronto and the world through my lens. 

Building a career in science or art is hectic, yet you make it seem seamless. How to balance the workload without being overwhelmed?

J: Time-blocking is the key. It gets challenging at times. I have to be mindful to draw boundaries to achieve work-life balance. I pour my energy into my healthcare work during the day. Once the clock strikes five, my nine-to-five laptop is off, and I move on to photography. Evenings, during the week, are dedicated to connecting with clients, post-production of shoots, building mood boards and rummaging through the internet for inspiration. I conduct photo shoots on the weekends. 

Event planning is demanding, and it does spill over sometimes. It has been a journey of discipline and drawing realistic timetables that have gotten me here. Taking a walk or daydreaming, both help keep me motivated.

Many young women in Toronto want to be entrepreneurial and capitalise on their skills & talents. What are some non-negotiables while setting up their own business and managing full-time jobs? 

J: An absolute non-negotiable is; never doubt yourself. Be fearless. I was hesitant initially, but the moment I stopped doubting my abilities, more opportunities came my way. Time management is imperative too. Make sure you block dedicated time to build your side hustle and time to work on it as well.

I would also strongly recommend getting a mentor(s). When I began this journey, I had many ideas but I wasn't sure where to start. Having a mentor to guide me during this time opened my world, streamlined my thoughts, and made me look at certain obstacles from different perspectives. Through mentors, I have unlocked new growth opportunities, brainstormed through challenges, grasped new techniques, and connected with other creatives. 

Lastly, never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Social media is an excellent channel to showcase your work. However, there is no replacement for speaking about your work to as many people. I have gained most of my clients through referrals and networking.

What are you working on next?

J: I am launching a fine art print shop for some of my work. The summer months are filled with family lifestyle photoshoots as well as partnering with small business owners/entrepreneurs to amplify their brand visually. I am also moving towards another goal for this year - organizing photo shoots to support charities in the GTA. Late June, I hosted a portraits/headshots mini session in the bright and eclectic OBJX Studio in Toronto - a portion of the profits from each session went towards supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth services at Friends of Ruby. You can follow me on Instagram to join in for the next session of portraits while supporting causes that matter.

Can you share any photographers or artists in the GTA that you really look up to?

J: Trevor Godinho. He does editorial fashion and commercial photography. I have the honour of being his mentee. I admire his creative process and way of connecting with people. 

You can connect with Jeneni via LinkedIn or write to her at byjeneni@gmail.com.
Follow her work on Instagram as well! 

If you know any woman in Toronto who you would like featured in our series – Women in the Six – please reach out to naomi.menezes@ywib.ca

by JenENI Jude