Jenny Kirchner was born and raised in Southern California in her hometown of Idyllwild. Jenny started photography as a hobby at the age of 13 and found a passion for the craft. At age 15, she began winning awards. She won a scholarship that same year through the North American Nature Photography Association. She trained with some of the world's top nature photographers, many of whom worked for National Geographic. It was a unique foundation for what turned into a career.
Jenny started in the photojournalism world in her early twenties with the Idyllwild Town Crier. Photographing her community in times of great happiness and sometimes great despair, she found her calling. She loved telling stories
and preserving the community’s memories for generations to come.
For 15 years, Jenny held that role in some capacity. She worked on staff and as a freelancer at different times throughout those years. She also took on the role of a journalist, writing articles about many of the local events. Recognized for her talent, she won multiple regional, state, and national awards from organizations including the National Newspaper Association, California News Publishers Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists Inland Empire Division. Her coverage of the Mountain Fire drew national attention with a live interview with Wolf Blitzer on his show “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”
In 2023, 10 years after the Mountain Fire, Jenny decided to take on the task of making this book. This is her first book. She plans to continue sharing her photography and experiences in future books.
Outside of photojournalism, Jenny is still actively taking photos around the country and is available for bookings. Visit www.jennykphoto.com