Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanette Warner.
Hi Jeanette, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Michigan, surrounded by the love of an incredible family, where I first discovered my passion for art and adventure. After earning a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, I joined the Peace Corps and spent two years serving in a rural Ecuadorian village. That experience led me to stay in Ecuador, where I went on to teach photography at a university in Quito before moving to the Galápagos Islands. On Isabela Island, while opening and managing a beachside bar, I met my husband in a hammock by the ocean—a moment that changed my life.
In 2009, I launched Jeanette Warner Photography, and since then I’ve been capturing weddings, portraits, events, and commercial projects across the U.S. and abroad. Along the way, I have also published three books, further blending my love for storytelling and photography. Today, I split my time between Texas and the Galápagos, continuing my work as a photographer and leading photography tour groups to explore and document the extraordinary beauty of these islands.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles along the way have been many, yet each one has served as a teacher. Running your own business often means navigating seasons of feast and famine, learning to adapt and stay steady through both. At times, self-doubt has been a constant companion—and in truth, it still visits me now and then. But I’ve learned that the greatest journeys begin with a single step, and often that first step is the hardest to take. Choosing to keep moving forward, even when the path feels uncertain, has been the key to growth and resilience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in events, weddings, portraits, and commercial photography. My work is known for its unique style of capturing moments as they naturally unfold—so that when you look at an image, you don’t just see what happened, you feel it. I’m drawn to the impermanence of life and the way a still photograph can preserve a fleeting moment, allowing it to be experienced again and again.
What I’m most proud of are the books I’ve published, especially Pit of Doom, a photographic essay exploring the history of the penal colonies on Isabela Island in the Galápagos. That project challenged me not only as an artist but also as a storyteller, weaving together history, memory, and place. I’m also deeply proud of The Mermaid Tune, a creative collaboration with my husband that became both a book and a music video, uniting my love for imagery with the music we make together.
What sets me apart is my dedication to telling honest stories—whether it’s through the intimacy of a wedding portrait, the energy of an event, or the depth of a historical essay. My lens is not only about what’s visible, but about evoking the emotions and narratives that live within each moment.
I’ve also started to take groups on photographic tours of the Galapagos Islands, in a way to share one of my favorite places in the world with people who want to capture its beauty.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t measured in numbers or accolades—it’s measured in happiness and joy. It’s in the quiet and meaningful moments we get to cherish with the people we love most, and in the deep appreciation we cultivate for others along the way. Relationships are at the heart of everything—whether with family, friends, or the creative community I’m grateful to be a part of.
I define success as living fully in those connections, celebrating collaboration, and finding joy in both giving and receiving inspiration. Especially among other creatives, success feels like a shared journey—where we lift one another up and transform ideas into something lasting. At its core, it’s about living with gratitude, creating with honesty, and holding close the people and experiences that bring us alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeanettewarner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanette_warner_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067510329024
