2011 40 Under Forty: Jennifer L. Tonelli
OWNER/PHOTOGRAPHER, Sunny Day Photography
Company location: Webster
Residence: Webster
Favorite color: Red because it stops everyone and gets their attention
Age: 37
Career highlights: When you meet me, it will not take you long to discover that I am a very passionate person. Two main themes have driven me through a very unique career: helping people and making great images. I am very fortunate that my experience in management at Jostens Photography, training at Agfa, sales at Eastman Kodak and volunteering in my community has culminated in my own business.
Community involvement: Creating opportunities to co-market with other area businesses is a great way to help each other in this tough economy. Last year Sunny Day Photography and PT Pet Supply teamed up for a two-week event that raised much-needed donations for several local animal shelters. I was delighted this May when invited to participate in Long Subaru’s Second Annual Love-A-Pet Event as a result of all our businesses networking together.
Biggest success: Sunny Day Photography works with sports leagues to provide both team and individual portraits. I thrive on the logistics that are behind a successful picture day. My team can photograph 200-600 players, running around with baseball bats and soccer balls, in several hours.
Biggest challenge: Cameras are in the palms of everyone’s hands to capture fun moments, but will these images be as treasured or even exist years from now? Technology changes rapidly and no one can predict how an image will be captured 30 years from now. My challenge as the owner of a photography business is helping people realize the value of a timeless portrait.
Mentor: From the time I picked up a camera at age 12, I knew I wanted to be a photographer. My desire to pursue this career was not taken seriously by my high school teachers or guidance counselor. One woman encouraged me to reach for what I wanted. Barbara Mac Connell was so much more to me than my physics and Latin teacher. My senior year she died of lymphatic cancer, but not before knowing I was awarded a scholarship at the Rochester Institute of Technology to study imaging and photographic technology. Every student should have a teacher like Dr. Mac Connell.
Hidden talent: I am a triathlete.
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