Claire jantzen photography
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ARTFUL
Soulful, Cinematic
TIMELESS
I believe in making extraordinary
Images with a story to tell
Drawn to the unspoken—the way light falls, the way hands reach, the way emotion lingers. My images are both timeless and immediate, holding onto the moments that shape us.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT CLAIRE
Growing up, I spent hours immersed in my family’s old photographs, listening to the stories that wove even deeper richness into every frame.
Those images—both from before I was born and from my own childhood—became a bridge to forgotten parts of myself, rekindling my love for who I am and deepening my connection to my family.
WHY I LOVE BEING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER:
WHAT REMAINS IS WHAT WE CAPTURE.
Stories evolve with each retelling, but images remain, carrying an essence that resonates through time—echoing gently in the threads of memory where future generations will find us, and where we often rediscover ourselves. That’s why I’m so passionate about creating these timeless images for you and your loved ones—not just to capture a moment, but to preserve the spirit of who you are, for today and the future.
my journey
where i'm from
Raised in Encinitas, where beaches and sunsets inspire awe, I developed a deep bond with nature. Immersed in a creative household filled with lyrical conversation and fine art, my passion for artistry blossomed as I learned to translate the beauty around me into poetic expression.
how i started
At 11, I began documenting my surroundings, capturing the essence of childhood in my friends and the landscapes that embraced us. My hobby evolved into a career, and by 13 I was offering professional photography services.
from photo to film
My passion for storytelling naturally led me to filmmaking, and by 15, I was directing commercials and short films for leading brands. Photography remains at the core of my creative work, but as I grow in both fields, each discipline continues to enrich the other.
my inspiration
Images from my family's story:
My mother, Jenny Jantzen, at 14.
My grandmother Patricia Jantzen, uncle Kent at age 11 months, and grandfather Gene Jantzen at home in Illinois. Taken by Stanley Kubrick for Look Magazine in 1947.
My aunts, the Jantzen family sisters.
A beautiful photo of my uncle Kent as a baby, who later passed away at age 16.
My grandfather, Gene Jantzen, who was a world-famous bodybuilder.
My mother and her sisters, my aunts, at home in Illinois.
A photograph of my mother at 6 (left) positioned next to a photograph of me at the same age (right.)
ABOUT YOU
You seek images that are both authentic and artfully composed—imbued with beauty and a distinct aesthetic that sets them apart from traditional posed portraits. You want a photographer who captures the quiet beauty and essence of a moment, a family, a person.
My clients are seekers of beauty, lovers of art, inspired by nature and attuned to details that often go unnoticed.
WE ARE MAKING
understand
mean to us.
— Ralph Hattersley
PHOTOGRAPHS TO
WHAT OUR
LIVES
WE ARE MAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
TO
WHAT OUR LIVES
© CLAIRE JANTZEN 2025