Get to Know your Photographer
Welcome- I'm Jackie!
I am a lifestyle photographer based out of Shorewood, IL. I have been working with clients since 2017. Having over eight years of business experience has given me the opportunity to work with many types of sessions and projects. I specialize in portrait style work including families, kids, seniors/graduation, engagement and couples, maternity, headshots, pets, and a variety of other sessions. I also offer weddings, events, and lifestyle newborn. I look forward to documenting your memories!
Cheers to 8 years!
Thank you to each and every one of my clients who have kept me in business over the years. It truly means more to me than I could ever explain. I am so thankful to be here and cherish every moment. Here's to 8 and many more!
I have always had a passion for photography!
Growing up I always knew I loved photography as a hobby, but I never knew I would be doing it as a full time career. I am so thankful for my clients who support my dreams!
Education
I graduated from Aurora University in 2020 with my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration while taking photography classes in my program.
Fun facts:
When I am not working I love:
-Spending time with family and friends
-Being outdoors (walking the dogs, camping, kayaking, being on the water, bonfires, etc)
-Going to concerts
-Traveling
-Grabbing 7 brew, lunch or margaritas
-Reading, coloring or watching a movie
-Playing with my nephew
And of course, taking photos to document all of my adventures!
I am type one diabetic
I was diagnosed with type one diabetes (an auto immune disease) at the age of 6. My medial devices are often visible, especially during warm summer days while we shoot outside. I love to educate people on it and answer any questions!
My favorite title is "auntie"
If you have been following my page for a while, you know my "assistant" is my almost 3 year old nephew! No children of my own, but you will see lots of posts about him and his dog brother! He has taken a love for photography just like me and loves to play with his toy cameras.
I love animals
Over the years I have been able to use my craft to help a cause close to my heart. I have worked with animal shelters and fosters to help pets find their forever homes by photographing them for social media. I also love to offer specials for end of life sessions when families are loosing their pet.
Frequently asked questions:
What is your favorite type of session to shoot?
Other than my nephew or personal life, my favorite type of session to shoot would be engagement and senior/graduation. I love working with portrait style work that I can perfect each detail and really be able to come up with some creative ideas.
How did you get your business started?
I have always had a love and passion for photography. It was a wonderful hobby until college when I took it seriously. Around 2016 I realized I was a broke college student while also working a consistent part time job and just wanted to make a few extra bucks when things weren't crazy during school. I realized when I would offer to take pictures for family and friends, they would often "tip me" so I started doing sessions for free and putting myself out there. I gradually increased pricing as I gained more experience and started educating myself. soaking up all the knowledge I could learn. I instantly fell in love with it and continued to challenge myself with more information and building my clientele. Simultaneously, I was in business school learning that portion of the equation and implementing it as I went. During the start of covid and the end of my senior year of college, the job market became unsteady. My lined up job in medical marketing and sales started to look less reliable and less interesting by the day. At this point, I had grown a wonderful clientele and decided to go for it. It was a blessing in disguise that everyone was up in the air about their careers, so I took the leap of faith knowing that I wasn't alone. I had a serious conversation with my family and friends, took advice from every business owner I knew at that point, and got to work. I set up the legality of things, website, marketing, networking, advertising, etc. and continued to take things week by week, I told myself if I couldn't get this off of the ground in 6 months, I would go back to medical marketing and sales and start applying for jobs. 6 months turned into 6 years and I haven't looked back. I still have to pinch myself to make sure it's real that I am able to live my dream.
What is the best part of your career?
There are a million and one things I love about my job but I really love feeling like I have made an impact on someone. When I am able to provide memories that will last a lifetime- especially after someone has passed or the kids are all grown up and gone. I am able to freeze time and give people something physical to represent this moment in time.
Why did you start?
My family always had a camera or video camera out growing up. As I have grown, my appreciation for those documented memories has grown with it. I have had a camera around as a hobby for as long as I can remember. I realized I was a broke college student and figured I could make a little extra money offering sessions since I love it so much and people would occasionally ask for it. As my clientele and passion grew, I knew I wanted to do this as "work" forever. I continued to improve my craft and became addicted to the growth and the joy that it brought me. After college and during the pandemic, I decided to quit my job in medical marketing and sales and pursue this full time. I haven't looked back since!
My grandpa photographed here when I was a child- always had his video camera out making home movies for us. We have lots of videos that he filmed with his voice in them but not a ton of photos. This was him in action at a birthday party!
