We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Harper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jacqueline , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
When I got my first camera I knew absolutely NOTHING about photography. I used it for capturing landscapes and just random things during trips. Once I decided I wanted to start capturing human subjects, I turned to YouTube to teach me how to even use my camera. This was great in that YouTube has so much information on it, but it does take a while to go through it or find a video on what exactly you’re looking for. Instagram was pretty new when I started and I didn’t follow the big shot photographers. With what I know now I wish I would have invested in a mentorship rather than spend hours upon hours searching YouTube. I would say the biggest obstacle I had at the time was money and time. I was a high school student, working a part-time job, a varsity volleyball player, and a league volleyball coach. Back then , I didn’t realize this would be my career. It wasn’t until my senior year of college did I decide photography would be my career. Through it all, I believe the skill that was and is still most essential is being self-motivated. No one is going to motivate you in the business, it’s all you. If you don’t have the motivation you will not succeed. Continue your education in the field, find a mentor, attend styled shoots and conferences. Continue to push yourself and you will do great things!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I got my first camera in high school and mainly shot landscapes and animals. I had no idea what I was doing or how to use my camera. I started watching YouTube videos to learn how to use my camera and shoot manual. After a few months, I gained the confidence to capture some free portraits. After many free sessions and a ton of YouTube videos, I had a friend whose uncle was getting married and she recommended me to them. It was a small wedding at their home, and I told them I had never shot a wedding before. To this day they still share their wedding photos and recommend me! They ended up paying me anyway and that was my first paid shoot. WILD! From then on, I was hooked on weddings. I now specialize in weddings, couples, and boudoir photography and videography, but offer a variety of sessions as well. I am a lover of all things vintage and nostalgic and to integrate that into my business I offer Super 8mm and 35mm film. My edits are film-like with soft blues and low contrast. I focus more on capturing interactions amongst others than posing them. When they look back at the photos they will remember the interaction and the moment more than how I was posing them. I guide all of my clients through the entire process. I have created guides that are specialized to each session to help answer any questions, guide them on outfits and color schemes, what to expect during the session, and so much more! I take the guesswork out of the process making my clients feel confident and prepared for their session. I am a mother so I understand the stress a photoshoot can create, and I want to take as much of the stress as possible away and leave everyone with an amazing experience! I’m always down for a fun session or trading services to support other small business owners!
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
The biggest regret I have in my journey is not investing in a mentorship earlier. When I started in photography I wasn’t aware of the big photographers and their educational courses and mentorships. Back then the industry, at least locally, was very competitive. You couldn’t just ask another photographer anything, they would leave you on read. I learned everything from YouTube, which was great but it was a lot of searching to find what I was looking for. I did a mentorship call with Alesia Films a few years back and the knowledge she shared with me was beyond anything I could find on YouTube. She answered all of my questions, went over my website and SEO, presets, editing, and so much more! It changed the trajectory of my business and I am grateful for it every day! I am looking into another mentorship here soon. I wish I would have known about mentorships when I started because they leave you feeling so inspired and confident!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2020 I was working at an autobody shop and was pregnant. I was in my senior year of college for biology and planned on working as a wildlife biologist. That was until COVID was crazy, my job didn’t take it seriously and I wasn’t going to risk my health or my baby’s health while being pregnant. I quit and decided it was now or never to take my business full-time. I worked like crazy so that once 2021 came around I had a pretty full schedule and a good flow of money. I can’t imagine having another career. My business allows me to create my schedule, which is convenient when you have two children. That one decision gave me the business I have today and I am forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.intimephotographyandmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intime_photos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intimephotographyy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@intimephotographyandmedia2508