It's weird to think that I've only known Jenna for a year --as soon as we met our love of thrift shopping, Brooklyn bars, and taking photos quickly made us inseparable. Jenna wanted to grow her photography portfolio, and I was going through an "I wanna be Cindy Crawford" phase (that's legit still not over, tbh), so creating playful editorials for Cult Factory soon became our favorite way to hang out. And that was exciting because not only did I have a friend who was as thrilled about creating as I was, Jenna gave me a glimpse of what CF was really about: people coming together to make things purely for fun. Finally in front of the camera, I'm so excited to share some more with you about this on-the-rise talent. Get to know more about Jenna and her NYC life in her Cult Chat below>>
WHY NEW YORK CITY?
The word normal doest exist here. Any time I feel like I'm being conformed by society, I get really bad anxiety. Like I don't know if I want to get married, I don't want a white picket fence and have a routined life. I just feel like New York alleviates those pressures and I can just do me and be happy. Watch me get married and have a white picket fence next year. That would be funny.
You also can't beat the people here. I never understand why New Yorkers get a bad rep. They are the most intriguing, coolest people on the earth. I just love being around passionate, creative people. Plus, I feel like I'm the kind of person who needs to be stimulated at all times.
THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS...WHAT TIME DID YOU GET TO BED LAST NIGHT?
I'm an all or nothing kinda gal. So if I don't have plans which I didn't last night, I'm in bed at 8 or 9. When I get sleep, I'm just an all-around better version of myself. I like to be really social and I like to be really anti-social times. One of my favorite things to do is going out to eat alone. There's just something so great about it. Last night, I sat at the bar, had a nice convo with an 80 year old man. Then I came home and binge watched a few "Better Call Saul" episodes.
PLAY HOST FOR US... WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE US FOR
COFFEE - any deli
DINNER - Vandal
COCKTAILS - Handy Liquor Bar
PARTYING - Freehold/Union Pool
WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
I've been currently obsessing over Halsey, but I also love Tegan & Sara. Love me some Drake, Kanye and yes, I'm a Belieber.
ANY CREATIVES YOU WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH?
Terry Richardson
FAVORITE PROJECT SO FAR?
I mean I loved shooting you and your boo <3
[view these shoots here and here]
DREAM DINNER PARTY -- WHICH 7 GUESTS WOULD YOU INVITE?
Betty White, Justin Bieber, Bill Cunningham, Ronda Rousey, Lucille Ball, Bob Marley, Woody Allen
WHERE DO YOU SHOP?
I actually don't think I have a usual spot but if I had to pick, absolutely Beacon's Closet. I'm not big into shopping where everyone else shops and owning the same pieces of clothing. Buying second hand clothes gives me the feeling of individuality. Plus you can find hidden gems for soooo cheap. I think I've fallen in love with the adrenaline rush that I get :)
FAVORITE SPOT?
The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights...at night. It's only a block from my apartment so it's somewhere me and my frenchie go every night. You can see the beautiful New York skyline of lights. I don't know, I just feel happy there.
DO YOU HAVE A MUSE?
Right now, I kinda dig the whole androgynous look. I think that's why I'm so in love with Ruby Rose and Justin Bieber. So as far as time period, I guess early 90s. It had that whole grunge, thrift-shop, street fashion mood to it.
NYC FOREVER?
This is always a question I'm consistently asking myself. I've seen a lot of my friends come and go. But when it comes down to it, I really honestly don't see myself anywhere else. If I wanted a change, I could see London. I don't know if LA is for me...but the weather sure as hell is. I will say I will never move back to Manhattan, Brooklyn is more my vibe.
MOTTO YOU LIVE BY?
"Wherever you are, be all there" -- I have several tattoos dedicated to this motto. I think now especially with these iPhones and social media, we tend to drift off and miss moments we can never get back. It's something I consciously work on every day.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AND WHERE CAN WE SEE IT?
I'm kind of all over the place currently. I'm always changing up shoots. I take a lot of personal requests, but I've done some work with small fashion companies and I recently just did a cocktail/food shoot for Surface magazine. This year, my goal is to focus on my niche. I also need to get better at uploading my shoots on my website!
WOULD YOU RATHER
CINDY CRAWFORD or KATE MOSS
Cindy Crawford now, Kate Moss 20 years ago
MORNING OR NIGHT
Night
UPTOWN OR DOWNTOWN
Downtown
WEBSITE: www.jennaburke.net
INSTAGRAM: @theoveranalyst
TWITTER: @theoveranalyst
[Photos by Christina Mannino]