JGM VISUAL ARTS Portraiture
Jennifer Godwin Minto
With a professional photography career spanning more than 40 years—and 27 years teaching photography and documenting life at Polytechnic School—I have recently retired from the classroom to begin a new chapter, a year on the road. What began in my San Marino, California studio photographing families, children, executives, weddings, and political events has now evolved into a journey both creative and personal.
As I travel the country in my RV with my dogs, my camera remains my constant companion. Under the new On the Road tab, you’ll find a growing gallery of images captured during my travels—landscapes, wildlife, and the character of the places I pass through.
While my focus has shifted away from weddings, I continue to welcome portrait and event assignments as they arise—wherever I happen to be. Photography for me has always been about storytelling, and I bring that same curiosity and care to each new project.
From my early days with a Hasselblad and darkroom trays to today’s digital innovations and creative techniques such as silhouettes, shadows, leading lines, and intentional camera movement, my work continues to evolve. I find joy in exploring how photography captures not just images, but emotion, connection, and perspective.
Outside of photography, I enjoy traveling and competing in dog sports with my Border Collies—companions who make this journey all the richer.
This new season is all about exploration—through the lens, across the open road, and in the stories I share along the way.
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Emily Luxford
"Jennifer has been our family photographer for over 30 years. She produces frame worthy photos that we have cherished over the years. She is quick and wonderful with all ages. Jennifer is truly a one of a kind photographer and we are so grateful she has been able to capture many special moments for our family."
Elizabeth Sample
"My first experience working with Jennifer Godwin-Minto was in 1992. I had a formal portrait taken and it was exceptional. So when I needed to have another portrait taken THIRTY years later, I sought out Jennifer to take it. Truly Jennifer Godwin-Minto is an artist when it comes to photography. Her detailed approach to every single shot is distinctive -- light, angle, pose, etc. -- produces superior results. Jennifer possesses a gift for working with clients, she is able to make them feel relaxed and confident throughout the photo session no matter how challenging the subject may be! The final product is always first-rate and depicts the person at their best without compromising the subject's authenticity. I would not recommend anyone else to take my portrait no matter what the setting, circumstance or age."
Laura Huffman
Jennifer has taken family photos of us for over 25 years. We have always been very happy with the results. She has also taken the photos of my husband's work team for their brochures and website. Jennifer is delightful to work with! I highly recommend her for any photography needs.
Rachel Dunham
"We love having our family photos taken by Jennifer!
She's great at keeping our little one engaged, moving us around, and using the natural landscape of where we are as part of the photos. She makes it easy and fun -- even though we aren't "photo people" -- and the portraits are always gorgeous."
Suzanne Knox
"Working with Jennifer was a fantastic experience. Her proficiency in photography and her knack for seeing things in a special way and coming up with creative ideas really impresses me. Jennifer has skillfully captured moments of me with my dogs on multiple occasions, and I am excited for our next session together."
Sandy Scott
"Working with Jennifer as a photographer has been a wonderful positive experience. She is so kind and patient with photographing dogs and especially puppies. Photographing puppies is a challenge and Jennifer is patient and talented in capturing great photos of the puppies. She is also great with action shots which can be very difficult. I would highly recommend Jennifer as a photographer."
Laura Marion
"Because Jennifer took portraits of our family ever since the kids were in elementary school, we now have the most beautiful chronicle of our children's lives. The portraits she took of our children are stunning, year after year after year."
Serra Leroy
"Jennifer is so easy to work with and takes lovely family photos! When my littles struggled with a short photography session one day, she checked in with me to see if we wanted a family retake (which we did!). There is an air of ease, joy, and professionalism that Jennifer brings to each shoot--and that's exactly what we need for some sweet family pictures. Thank you so much for all you've done for our family!"
Rachel Countryman
"With her vast experience with and understanding of dogs—and people!—Jennifer brings a practiced eye to her photography. She is always able to put our nervous pups at ease, and she works patiently and skillfully to create varied and inventive settings for her shoots. But most importantly, Jennifer makes stunningly beautiful photographs that capture the emotional connection between people and their dogs."
Jackie Frome
"We were blown away by the incredible experience we had with Jennifer as our photographer. She was able to make us comfortable and brought our true personalities out in our session. She enticed our one year old to transform from shy at first to silly and outgoing and smiling ear to ear. We wish Jennifer could take our photos forever, because she is so warm, friendly, and patient. We hope to have another session with
Jennifer very soon."