We were lucky to catch up with Jessie Heim recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

I started working as a photographer fresh out of college—I was reaching out to the the Associated Press on how to improve my portfolio before I was 21, and you know what, they were super helpful. Looking back, I’ve learned so much, not just about the technical side of photography, but more importantly, about how to actually build a career around it. Even since I last interviewed with you, I’ve continued growing and learning in big ways.

If I could go back and give myself advice, the biggest thing I’d say is this: working as a creative means constant change. And that change isn’t just inevitable—it’s necessary. It’s what allows you to grow, adapt, thrive, and keep expanding both personally and professionally. The more open you are to evolving, the more opportunities you’ll find.

From an efficiency standpoint, if I could go back to high school or college, I would absolutely take an entrepreneurship class. I didn’t realize how critical the business side of things would be—taxes, budgeting, invoicing, all those behind-the-scenes pieces. I had to teach myself a lot of that on the fly, and it would have been so helpful to start my business with that knowledge already in place. So I always encourage others: don’t wait to learn the business side. It’s just as important as your craft.

Lastly, in the beginning, like many creatives, I took on work I wasn’t passionate about just to “make it.” But over time, I realized that building something I genuinely love leads to far more growth—and joy—than simply chasing money or survival. Once I started leaning into the kind of work that lights me up, things really shifted for the better.

So if I had to sum it up: stay open to change, learn the business side early, and don’t be afraid to follow what feels true to you. Money will come and go, but your fulfillment is what makes it all worth it.

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 photographer, wife, mom of two ocean-loving kids, a golden retriever, and—most recently—chickens (which, to my surprise, I absolutely adore).

Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was a photographer who mostly captured her flowers. I grew up surrounded by film prints and the sound of her camera clicking. I didn’t realize it then, but that left a deep imprint on me.

Over the years, I’ve worked as a travel photographer and photojournalist in places like South Africa, Fiji, and throughout the U.S., with work published in newspapers, magazines, and now, brand content. More recently, I’ve expanded into UGC and love partnering with brands that align with how I actually live—creative, outdoorsy, and rooted in family.

About a year ago, I started sharing more of my life publicly on social media, and that’s how Little Sprout Greenhouse came to life. It’s become a space where I get to merge photography, gardening, motherhood, and nature—and it’s opened the door to so many rewarding creative opportunities and connections.

What sets me apart? I’m not afraid to take on work that challenges me. The things that push me out of my comfort zone have ended up being the most pivotal in my growth, both professionally and personally. Earlier in my career, I felt this pressure to get everything exactly right. That pressure’s still there, but now it motivates me instead of holding me back and when things don’t go according to plan, it’s a learning opportunity versus something that scares me away.

When I saw the opportunity to grow beyond photography and into creator work, I knew there’d be a learning curve—and I leaned into it. I’m someone who shows up, does the work, and learns as I go. That mindset is a big reason I’ve been able to keep evolving and building a business I’m proud of.

At the end of the day, I hope what comes through in my work is real life: the beauty in growing something, getting your hands dirty, being outside with your kids, and not overcomplicating it. Whether I’m behind the camera or in the garden, I aim to create things that feel honest, useful, and maybe even a little inspiring.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In every job I’ve ever had as an adult, photography has been present. Before the pandemic, I was traveling a lot and raising my young daughter while also working a 9–5 job that I genuinely loved. Still, I could feel a quiet pull—that eventually, I’d need to create a lifestyle that worked better for my family and my own creative passions.

When we had our son, I decided to step back from full-time work and focus on those early years with my children. That time was a gift—one I’ll always be grateful for—but it wasn’t always easy. Like many parents, I navigated the uncertainty of the pandemic while pregnant, then postpartum with a newborn, which came with a lot of fear and unknowns.

As life started to shift again and my son got older, I felt a spark coming back—the creative energy I had set aside was asking to be acknowledged. I didn’t know what form it would take yet. I knew I didn’t want to return to shooting back-to-back weddings (beautiful, but a hard lifestyle) or step back into a traditional 9–5. So I gave myself a year. A year to go for it—to explore what a career on my own terms might look like.

I took classes. I studied other creators. I leaned into the mindset of “Why not me?” Why couldn’t I build a creative career that supported my family and aligned with my values that I also loved? I already had years of experience as a still photographer and social media manager for large scale organizations, but the personal video and creator side was new to me. That took time to build, and still is.

Eventually, it started to click. I found a rhythm that resonated with my audience. Brands began reaching out. The first few deals were surreal—working with companies I used to pay good money to shop from, and now I was being paid to create content for them. UGC, in particular, became a sweet spot for me—photographing and filming products in a way that feels natural, beautiful, and aligned with real life.

It’s still a humbling process, but it fuels me. And even though I’m only about a year into this version of my career, I’m proud of what I’ve built so far. There’s so much room to grow and change, and that excites me more than it scares me. Social media, brand marketing, how we tell stories—it’s always evolving and I’m here for it.

Looking back, I could’ve stayed in a role I truly loved and been comfortable forever. But I’m proud I listened to that tug, that whisper for something different. I’m building a creative life that works for my family, gives me financial freedom, a flexible schedule and most importantly, fills me up. It keeps evolving—and I’ve learned that I can handle the unknown, pivot when I need to, and grow in ways I never imagined.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

When it comes to building trust with clients, my biggest strategy has always been simple: be responsive. Answer the email. Reply to the text. Even if I don’t have the full answer yet, I make sure they know I’m engaged, I’ve seen it, and I’m on it.

Email is usually my preferred method—it’s clear, documented, and makes expectations on both sides easy to track. I’ve found that strong communication is still one of the biggest gaps in this industry. Too often, people just don’t respond—and that lack of follow-through shows. It’s something I’ve been intentional about from day one.

I show up, I’m a good human, it’s simple. Brands know how to reach me, and they know I’ll meet deadlines, communicate clearly, and make sure we’re aligned every step of the way. It’s one of the easiest ways to build trust—and one of the fastest ways to stand out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jessieheim.com
• Instagram: @littlesprout.greenhouse
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessieheim

Image Credits

Jessie Heim