When your love for animals and your hobby merge into a career! #Winning #DeafAtWork

[VIDEO DESC & TRANSCRIPT: Jennifer is standing outside in the snow. The NAD logo is on the bottom right corner.

JENNIFER: When I was little, I wanted to be a veterinarian or run a zoo. I think my love of animals really inspired me to become a full-time photographer. I was self-taught in photography so I didn’t go to college for it. It took a lot of practice, photographing different subjects -- but obviously the animals are my favorite thing to photograph!

Black and white clip of Jennifer adjusting a client’s hair while the client is seated next to a wolf in the snow. Next clip, a wide shot of Jennifer walking in the snow taking pictures of people in the snow. In the center, a white border surrounds white text “JENNIFER” underneath, appears in white text “ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHER.”

JENNIFER: Hello! My name is Jennifer Ilene and I am a freelance photographer.

Black and white clip of Jennifer kneeling in the snow taking pictures on her camera.

JENNIFER: I was born deaf. At three years old, I went to a school to learn sign language. Then later, in the fifth grade, I was home-schooled until I graduated.

Black and white clip of Jennifer looking around and petting a giraffe's head.

JENNIFER: When I photograph animals or my clients, I usually use my body language to communicate. I gesture “stay” or “come forward,” it’s not that hard to communicate.

Black and white clip of a zoo sign mostly covered in snow. Next clip, Jennifer is taking pictures of a client and a wolf seated in the snow.

JENNIFER: I work in front of the computer most of the time, it takes hours to edit photos. And then on the weekends, I usually do photo shoots. I also prepare the files to be print-ready. By photographing animals, it educates people on how to understand animals better.

Black and white clip of a group of people walking in the snow through a gate with a wolf on a leash.

JENNIFER: Looking for a job can be difficult for deaf people. Connect with the deaf community -- most of us will be very happy to help you with your search!

Black and white clip of a handler, Jennifer and the client coaxing the wolf to sit in the snow. White text appears at the bottom center, “For me, networking and advertising my business was important. I gave out business cards all the time which helped a lot.” Light blue text “- Jennifer” and a light blue line outlines the left side of the text.

JENNIFER: Don’t give up! Always follow your dreams. Life has so much to offer you!

Black and white clip of Jennifer getting some wolf kisses through a wire fence. Video cuts to grey background with the NAD logo quickly changing in different bright colors from teal to white to black to hot pink to green to orange to teal to yellow to purple to finally the official NAD logo with copyright text underneath “The National Association of the Deaf (c) 2019 All Rights Reserved”.]