I’m a Hmong-American mom and photographer. I was blessed to grow up in a family that is both artistically and mathematically inclined. My talent for art and composition was evident in drawings, paintings, writing and the occasional playing of the piano (I can play River Flows in You thanks to YouTube). I initially went to college to pursue a degree in math because I was great at it, but I found it wasn’t the path for me. Fast forward a handful of years, I now have the delight of capturing weddings and portraits for families in the midwest.
Hi, I'm Jaylene!
Meet the Photographer
Color
"I believe in Pink."
- Audrey Hepburn
Non-Photo Related Hobby
board games,
card games +
video games
Place to Visit
France. What can I say? I got engaged here ♥
Season
Spring. I live for the blooms, especially during CHERRY blossom season ♡
A Few of My Faves
Photography has always been a hobby since high school. I grew up in an artistic family, so naturally, photography was another expression of art for me. As a client, newborn photography was my first professional photography experience. After that,
I. Fell. In. Love.
I continued having family photos taken by many talented photographers within the Twin Cities, who are also now all great friends of mine. Family and friends would tell me “I wish I had family photos like that too.” After hearing it so many times, I started asking “why wish it when you can have it?” I decided I wanted to give people the quality experience of being on the other side of the lens, to share with them the love and appreciation of having precious moments and memories captured, printed and framed as a reminder of the love and joy we are blessed with. That blessing is family ♡
This was how Jaylene Dawn Photography came to life.
Why Photography?
The team behind the business!
Okay, not really.. BUT I was an extra in two indie films that were filmed in MN: The House of Tomorrow and Tuscaloosa. You can see me in the trailer in The House of Tomorrow!
Through this, I had the honor of meeting celebrities such as Nick Offerman (Parks & Rec) , Asa Butterfield (Ender's Game) and Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things)!
#1 I'm a movie star
I became a Starbucks Gold Card holder in 2015. If you don't know what that is, you basically had to buy a lot of Starbucks within a year to be awarded with it.
Nowadays, I'm not so much in it for the caramel macchiatos, but you can almost always catch me with a pink drink in my hand.
#2 Starbucks Gold Member
I've always loved French culture. My dad went to college in France back in the 70’s. During my first visit in 2017, I traveled to L'Université Grenoble Alpes to recreate an iconic photo of him in front of the Science Center.
In 2022, I visited Paris again and got engaged to my best friend and soulmate. You can say this country holds a special place in my heart ♡
#3 J'adore la France
Did I mention earlier in my bio that I was an island owner? Well.. It's technically true in the Nintendo World of Animal Crossing: New Horizon. My island is called Pink Peach Island.
With that said, when I have some free time,
I love playing my Nintendo Switch :)
#4 Pink Peach Island
I still have so much to share with you, including the experience that I can offer as your photographer. Whether it's a family photoshoot, engagement or your wedding day, I promise the experience will be professional yet still carefree and enjoyable. The journey of us working together will be guided with you, your wants and needs in mind. Whatever situations that may arise, we will get through together. This experience is a friendship, and it is about what I can do and will do for you.
loved learning about me and want to know more? I'd love to chat and learn about you too!
Where we go from here, my friend -
