Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Kopp.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I dabbled in different jobs here and there in my 20s, ran restaurants, managed touring bands, and took an office job. Still, nothing ever really “clicked’ the way I had dreamed of my entire life until I decided on a completely different direction almost ten years ago. I took a chance on myself, followed my heart, and jumped into the dog services world, and I have been doing that full-time ever since. Despite never having any pets growing up, I have always had a strong connection with animals, especially dogs. The leap of faith paid off and has since allowed me to have the freedom with my life and career that I had always wanted. It has not always been easy, but I love what I do, and one of the greatest compliments I receive is when people tell me how much they can tell I love what I do. They are right! =D
I needed a life/career that I was passionate about in every single way. If you spend so much time of your life invested in something, that something should be meaningful. It should bring you joy. It should be big. After all, you will be spending most of your time doing it. I have a ton of energy, which paid off in the restaurant and music industries but was not fulfilling. I believe in fulfillment, and my businesses are a huge part of that fulfillment. I based my dog training business model on the concept of fulfillment. Dogs need to feel that same fulfillment to be well-balanced mentally and physically, and it is up to humans to provide opportunities for them to get there. I have found over the years how valuable tool dogs are to each other, which is why my training program is also based on the goal of allowing/guiding the dogs to help each other. They can all learn from each other, and that learning provides them with even more fulfillment. It is quite a beautiful thing to see every day! The photography aspect of my life has always been a passion. I have always been obsessed with magazines, collages, Nat Geo, documenting life by video and film the way nobody I knew was doing, collecting postcards from every city I visited, you name it. Everything was based around photography and documenting “moments” in time. Before TikTok or IG was even a thing, I was making collages, “reels,” and video documentaries in college for friends as going-away gifts—all precious, priceless memories and moments in time. I went to The Austin School of Photography a few years ago to learn actual camera skills and more about the physics of photography. I highly recommend ASOP to anyone interested in learning more about these things. My experience at ASOP helped push me from the hobby to the income-generating side of photography. Since taking classes there, two of my photos have gone viral; I have sold thousands of dollars in prints and completed countless paid photo sessions. For fun, I love photographing dogs (if you cannot tell from my dog training IG account), nature, and The Alex Meixner Band.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No complaints. My experiences before dog training prepared me quite well for many of the bumps in the road I have encountered. I have mentioned on many occasions that since I survived those events I did while working in the restaurant business, I can survive anything. I am grateful for those difficult situations and wouldn’t have it any other way. If I hit a bump, I can only learn from it for next time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am a full-time dog trainer in Austin, Texas, specializing in fulfillment-based pack training. I am known for creating mini packs of dogs that learn from each other, bond with each other, and help each other each week in customized training activities for each dog. I also have a special crew of dogs that come to weekly playdates. These playdates are small groups of dogs that play with each other in a safe, closely-monitored environment. The goal is to prevent them from picking up any bad habits they can easily pick up at the regular doggie daycare or dog park while also allowing them to learn playtime etiquette safely. They burn off a massive amount of energy in a short period at these sessions. The veteran dogs at the playdates are given a purpose, as they are the trainers of the new dogs we bring into the pack play group. The new dogs that are brought into the pack play learn so much the right way from a solid group of respectful, well-behaved dogs that will correct them and guide them into becoming well-balanced dogs.
I am incredibly passionate about photography and have always found ways to incorporate that joy into any job I have ever had. I use photography and videography with the dogs to showcase their progress in their training program and their happiness along the way. I am also also a family photographer obsessed with nature and landscapes, so I always try to tie those two together when I do family sessions for my clients. Two of my landscape photos have gone viral in Austin! One was of the 360 Bridge, and one was of the Texas Capitol/Thunderbirds flyover during Covid.
You may also find me photographing The Alex Meixner Band if you are in Texas at a show! Alex is a 3rd generation, Grammy-nominated musician and producer who has worked alongside Jack Black in The Polka King. He is the headliner each November at Wurstfest in New Braunfels, TX and one of the most exciting performers I have ever seen.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Oh, Austin. I have lived here since 1995. Things certainly have changed quite a bit. The traffic is absolutely horrible. What I love most about Austin is how dog-friendly it is! Of course! I love how happy most people who have dogs are. It is such a fun way to learn about each other, break the ice, and develop a connection over the beautiful pups we are so lucky to have in our lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenniferkopp.com
- Instagram: @the_buttercup_bunch and @JenniferKopp_Photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebuttercupbunch and https://www.facebook.com/jenniferkoppphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPW-DjFrfg5MBkvv2LsAa7A
- Other: www.thebuttercupbunch.com
