We were lucky to catch up with Jaclyn Baer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jaclyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

The best thing I’ve done for my business is to stop looking at what other photographers are doing. Instead, I focus on listening to my couples and what they need. Social media makes it incredibly easy to see what other businesses are doing, but every business is different. Every business attracts different clients who value different things.

From a photography business standpoint, I think working the way I do is very different. My whole user experience was created from things my couples told me or things I observed from them in the process of working with me. And it’s an ongoing process.

The best resource I have for improving is the people who hire me. What do they need? How can I better serve them?

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been a wedding photographer since I graduated from college with a degree in photography/graphic design. In 2016, I met my husband and we moved into our van Moonbeam, and started documenting adventure elopements full-time. This was back before adventure elopements were even a thing. So we fully expected to document a few each year, but it completely took off and became a very successful business. Nowadays, I live in a small mountain town in Colorado where I document elopements and weddings.

I think what makes my business unique is the emphasis I put on my couples’ experience. Because I’ve documented so many 2-person elopements over the last 7 years, I’ve been able to craft an experience that helps couples feel more comfortable in front of the camera. When you get 8 hours alone with a couple on repeat for years, it gives you the opportunity to create something more important than photos: a memorable experience. It really feels like the couple is on a date instead of a photo shoot. For me, the way my couples feel on their day will inspire how they feel about their photos.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Success looks different for everybody. Defining my version of success was really integral in me feeling fulfilled as a small business owner. I really had to sit down and figure out what mattered to me. Ultimately, it meant working with a small number of couples providing the best experience I can, while living a quiet life in the mountains.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I moved out West to start my business without any funding and no other jobs bringing in money. Every dollar we made went back into the business for years. Growing a business takes so much self-belief and years of hard work. From thrifting hiking boots to get started in the outdoors, to funding everything from the ground up, I’m incredibly proud of all the sacrifices I made to get here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.morevananything.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morevananything
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaclynbaerart

Image Credits

More Van Anything — www.morevananything.com (my own photos)