Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Treadway.

Jessie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

This story all started a short year ago. Yes, really, one year. Unlike many others, my dream of being a photographer came a bit later. I went to college initially for archaeology but ended up graduating early with a degree in anthropology. I was on the path to continue my education in England, but unfortunately, Covid had other ideas, and that was no longer an option. Instead, I did a range of jobs, from gas station work to sales, and even teaching high school. It wasn’t until January 2024 that I started photography.

You see, before this, I was a very private person, especially on social media. In my previous interview, I discussed in more depth how a personal loss prompted me to pick up a camera I had lying around. That was the physical start of this journey. The mental start of this journey came one day while scrolling through my camera roll. I decided I wanted to share some of those pictures. I was too nervous to post them on my established social media, so I created a Threads account where no one knew me, just to post these photography pictures. They got less than 20 likes, but it felt incredible to share what I liked, so I kept doing it.

Slowly, I noticed that I was gaining more and more followers and support. Then one day, Canon commented on my picture. The brand of my camera commented on my picture. I was so ecstatic, and from that point on, my camera became a permanent accessory. I began to post more and more, and soon it wasn’t only Canon commenting on my pictures, but also VSCO, Pexels, Adorama, and others. In March 2024, three months after I began posting, my photo was featured by Adorama as one of the top 10 photos from March. That was what I needed. I already had the drive, but now I had the confidence.

After that, I began to post every single day, and I have seen nothing but growth since. Growth isn’t always linear, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have already been featured in two articles on a website and to have received multiple client requests. To think it’s only been one year and this is all because I made one decision! It really goes to show that you can make anything happen if you work hard enough.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Like every road, this one has been full of bumps. About six months into the journey, I had hit around 3,000 followers. I genuinely couldn’t believe it and set an overly ambitious goal for myself. I was sure that by the end of the year I would have 10,000 followers; in fact, I was determined. Unfortunately, you don’t always achieve your goals, and at the end of the year, I failed, which was frustrating. This was something I wanted very badly, and I worked hard for it, yet I still couldn’t accomplish it. How is it that I could work that hard and still fail? I will admit this was my perspective for a while. However, when I took a minute to step back, I realized I didn’t reach my goal on Threads alone, but I did gather over 15,000 wonderful, supportive followers across all my channels. With that perspective, not only had I met my goal, but I exceeded it. It helped reinforce that on every day I didn’t want to post, shoot, or edit, and still did, it was worth it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

At this point, I’m not quick to label myself as any type of photographer. Here are the facts: I live in beautiful urban Milwaukee, so the scenic landscapes and people are endless. I really have an affinity for water and, luckily, live right on Lake Michigan. I like to think I have a unique eye that is drawn to color, framing, and detail. I am constantly looking around and noticing the little things. I look for the bugs, the raindrops, and the unique perspectives. Nature is an artist, and I think we all interpret that work differently. For me, it’s the things that go overlooked. I am willing to wake up and watch every sunrise or stay up all night waiting for the meteor shower. I will sit for hours, watching the birds or the waves, just waiting for that shot. But even more, it’s not just about the shot for me; it’s about the experience. I am able to hone in on this moment and connect with my surroundings fully. My camera and I truly become one in those moments. So, to answer your question, what sets me apart is my undeniable patience, dedication, passion, and fascination with the world around me.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?

I believe photography is an ever-growing industry because the possibilities are truly endless. Each individual brings a unique perspective, set of skills, and style. What is so amazing about this industry is that it gives you the freedom to be yourself. Regarding upcoming trends, I do feel there will be a larger amount of portrait and fashion-related photography due to the increasing presence of people on social media. I also believe the community will be watching closely as AI software develops, as it poses interesting challenges to photographers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Wyldmami?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=dae2c2f6-7c2f-4dfe-a374-982fcba80e25
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyld.mami?igsh=NmJsdHVxd2gwbmg2&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1U6Xsc8AfS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.threads.net/@jessie.treadway?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==