Being a Kid in a Grown Up's World

As a young photographer, I have come face to face with several dilemma's that adult photographer's don't have to face. Being only 15, when I started my business, I noticed that people were almost reluctant to hire me. A couple reasons I have found are the following:

1. I'm a kid

I think sometimes people think of what I'm doing like they think of the kid selling lemonade in the driveway. They  think that it's temporary, and that I really don't know what I'm doing. This can be a little frustrating to someone who is young, and hoping to be successful. The one piece of advice I would give is this:

"Business is business...and if they let something like age come between them and a great opportunity, it is all on them."

2. Stereotypes

This kind of goes with being a kid. I am judged because of my age. People like the idea of a young responsible adolescent, but I think that some people believe this only occurs in fairy tales. This breaks my heart! Statistics tell us that our generation is one of the most influential generations in several years....and we are carrying a terrible reputation....so let's bring it up a step and get back into the game....okay guys?

You can beat this stereotype by being: Well prepared for everything, plan ahead, be on time, and always be professional. Whether the session is for family & friends or complete strangers, represent your business well. How you present yourself is how others will think of you and your work.

I have a couple of friends that have asked me how they should go about starting a business. Here are a couple things you can do to be successful.

1. Understand that your talent is a gift from God. You were given it to bring Him the glory. So make Him the center of what you want to do.

2. I started taking pictures at family events. That is how I got my first job. (Family parties are your allies)

3. Media, Media, Media! You have to advertise. Be aggressive. Facebook pages are valuable tools. So make a page. Also print business cards and find locations around town you can put them.

4. Find a mentor and gain some education. If your like me you love to believe you know everything....but you don't. So find someone you look up to and learn from them. Find out what it takes to grow into the person you want to be. My mentor is Katie Campbell, and I love learning from her! My professionalism has increased 110% since she started teaching me. She is an amazingly gifted photographer, and I am lucky to be learn from her!

5. Remember this, you are a person. You will fail, but that's not what will define you. It's what you do when you fail that will make you great, or make you good.


"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."
John Wooden 




I want to conclude this post by saying I have been very blessed. The road to even becoming a little successful was long and hard, but it was worth it. I have so many people who have helped me along the way. And looking back through out my life, I can see God's hand in it all.


Thanks for the time and I hope I helped!


Jessica June 

New Baby

Finally! After saving and saving I have enough for the Canon 60D! For my last sessions I have been using a Canon Rebel xsi, which although is amazing, and I love it very much, it cannot compare to the awesomeness of my new baby! (: Another awesome thing about this camera is that it will be mine! I had previously shared joint custody of Lucy (Canon Rebel xsi) with my mum. But this new camera will be my baby. (: Now to chose a name ;)

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Canon_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XSi

One Long Day at a Time

The sun is not even close to being up when my Grammie comes through the house to wake me up. With my eyes still closed I roll out of bed and crawl around on the floor, beginning the hour long process of becoming 'presentable'. Then we all packed into the car and headed to campus, where my car pool buddy and I stumbled through registration.

Class went smoothly. My favorite part was when we got to go check out the rundown for classes we might be interested.  I fell in love with the theater arts program and have decided to try out for the play! (Yikes!) I only made us late once(because I lost my phone). Then we got lost... (: Finally, with out eyes drooping and our brain cells shutting down,  the school day ended! Yes! I have survived my first full day of college work...and to celebrate? An ice cream sunday.

Her albums coming out soon! Cannot wait!

I will never forget September 11

                                                                                  September 11, 2001


“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. ”

by President George W. Bush.

Early, on the morning of September 11, 2001 millions of Americans stared at their televisions in horror as they watched the twin towers fall down. They were watching a terrorist attack in progress, and this great country, suddenly felt weak. Witnesses on ground zero watched their coworkers, friends, lovers, parents, children, and neighbors  fall from the building. Jumping from windows. The scream of a thousand helpless voices cried out in one single voice that was filled with so much terror….so much raw pain and fear…that it continues to haunt those who heard it, ten years later. Strangers ran to comfort each other, to feel some sort of unity in a time where they felt so alone. 

Ten years ago our country received a blow, that to be honest, we shouldn’t of survived. In our comfortable lives, and in our freedom, we couldn’t believe that we could be touched. That someone could hurt us. But with a strength that only God can give, ordinary people became heroes over night. Firefighters, Military men and women, Police Officers, First Responders, and Medics rushed in to try and save as many lives as they could. They rose above the bar and met the nightmare head on, and lives were saved because of it. Still the loses were devastating.

Now ten years later, we all stand and look at our flag. We send out a prayer of thankfulness. We are reminded that their is a cost for our freedom. That NOTHING should be taken for granted. We thank God for our service men and women, our heroes. We rose from the ashes in a brilliant display of Red, White, and Blue. One nation, under God. Indivisible. In liberty and justice to all.

God Bless America, the land I call my home.

<3 Jessica