We recently connected with Jodee Friday and have shared our conversation below.

Jodee, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

We all spend so much of our precious time at work; and I feel so lucky for my job to not only be something I love to do, but also something aligned with what I hope my legacy will be.

Besides my two adorable babies and the legacy my family will have, I hope that my personal story is a beautiful tale of preserving pivotal memories. As a wedding photographer, I am so lucky to be invited in by my couples to capture one of the most intimate moments of their life.

As years pass us by, our loved ones age, and memories fade, the images I capture can hopefully transport my couple’s back to a space of love, joy and excitement. That newlywed bliss is enshrined forever, so if a hard time comes, my couple can look back at the images and remember the vows they promised to one another and the people that surrounded them as they committed their lives to each other.

They can see their favorite people saved forever. Children that attend the wedding are forever paused at that innocent sweet age. I hope that my legacy is also the legacy of others and they can pause their wedding photos down to the next generation to live vicariously through.

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’m a destination wedding photographer capturing fleeting moments for fun couples. My goal is to create unique images that tell an authentic story.

I believe a fundamental part of how I got to where I am today, and being an artist in general, is having a strong POV. Rather than mimicking or copying others, it’s important to find your own purpose for your art. I personally love telling stories of real couples and individuals. For me it’s more than setting up poses or adjusting camera settings, it’s allowing people to come alive in front of the camera and give them space to have real connection, emotion and moments. Being able to pause time with a click of my camera is powerful, so I work very hard to ensure that what I’m capturing is real and meaningful.

I’m most proud of the feedback I’ve received from my couples. From one bride that told me at the end of her wedding, she’s never felt beautiful or worthy of being photographed until we worked together. From another bride that lost her father after her wedding and told me how thankful she is for the moments I captured of them because she didn’t realize it would be some of their last. From a couple that uses their wedding images to remind them of their joy on their wedding day as something to hold onto throughout their marriage.

It’s true what they say: people won’t remember what you say, but how you make them feel. And I think the way I interact with my couples is what sets me apart from others. Being a photographer is more about understanding people and relationships than clicking the shutter button, so I take a lot of pride in connecting with others and allowing them to feel most themselves.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are so many books, podcasts and videos that I can share because I feel like learning is pivotal in business and entrepreneurship – we are never done evolving or bettering ourselves. But one that immediately stands out is a book called “Building Your StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen”.

I think people often jump into the world of business ownership knowing their skill, product or even industry but maybe not their customer or better yet target customer. And in return, they also do not fully grasp the messaging they need to use to articulate what their business can do to make their customer’s lives better.

I re-read this book every few years because Donald Miller does such a great job at highlighting how to make your customer the hero of your story. It’s so easy to share your “about” with you as the lead. But in reality we all want our customer to be the hero in our story so we can serve as their guide by offering them a service or product that is essential to them achieving their goals. It’s why they must buy “it” and not just from anyone but from you.

I find that it’s easy to fall back into the pattern that I, the business owner, am the main character in the story, but that’s not always the best way to sell myself or my service. And that’s why this book has been a huge help in reframing the narrative and impacting my thinking.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’ve been so lucky to have so many amazing mentors and impressive peers that have helped me over the years. I think they have luckily come into my life naturally and serendipitously, which is why I want to call this out because I don’t know that everyone is as fortunate.

People you admire or professionals who have a certain skill you need to learn are the best resources you can hope to obtain. And the best way to tap into them is by asking!

I feel like it’s easy to be intimidated or nervous to ask for help; but so often, those people you think don’t have time for you would be beyond flattered to help. And that relationship that you can build if you just put yourself out there can and surely will propel your business forward. At least, I’ve been lucky enough to realize that to be the case.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jodeefriday.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodee.friday/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodeefriday
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodeefriday

Image Credits

Personal Photo: Valorie Darling Photography
All Other Photos: Jodee Friday & Co