My name is Jenni Merrill and I am the owner and photographer of Blissful Images. I am often. described as upbeat, energetic and always smiling. I have a very sunny disposition.

I was born and raised in Independence, Iowa and graduated in 1997. My senior year in high school I took a photography class and the moment I saw an image appear in the black and white darkroom, I was hooked! I attended one of the best photography schools in the country, Hawkeye Community College right after high school and graduated in 1999. Right after graduation, in June of 1999, I married my high school sweetheart and soulmate, Luke. We met during detasseling 5 years before we got married.We purchased our first home in Waterloo, Iowa.

I went to work for a photography studio in Waterloo for a few years before opening Heirloom Photographic Memories in September of 2002. I had a full time job for the first few years of Heirloom and in 2004 went full time with photography. In 2005, I achieved a huge goal and became a Certified Professional Photographer. I received this certification by completing a written examination and an image review. There are less than 2000 Certified Professional Photographers overall, and I was the only one in Waterloo and am one of only 3 in the Peoria area.

In Waterloo I was involved in the community through work with Waterloo/Cedar Falls Junior League, Publicity coordinator for the Arboretum's Fall Harvest Festival, Marketing Chair for the Arboretum and area coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I am hoping to become equally involved in the community of Peoria and am looking forward to life here.

Because of my photography career we met an amazing group of people in Peoria, Illinois and decided to move to Peoria to be with them in July of 2009. We live in Peoria with our 2 dogs, Grace and Jules. Luke is in construction and flips houses in this area. We enjoy spending our time off with our friends, golfing, boating, cruising and taking an annual camping trip.

I am always continuing my photography education with some sort of seminar or convention and I am a member of Professional Photographers of America