We recently connected with Jamie Peterson and have shared our conversation below.

Jamie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first paying client was through a mutual friend. My best friend told her boss that I started a photography business, and her boss decided to purchase a maternity session for their daughter expecting her first child. I was over the moon! I had only done 4 unpaid sessions before this, so I definitely felt like I had no clue what I was doing. But it was exciting, and fun, and overall, a learning experience. :D

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.

Boudoir photography is a niche aimed to guide women along their self-love journey. It doesn’t fix lack of confidence, instead it boosts it from the current level. It is for women who are ready to take their power back, to honor their beauty, and to see themselves in a way they probably haven’t seen themselves before.

I started out photographing families and weddings, inspired by my own wedding photographer and how the images made me feel reminiscing on our beautiful day. But after 2 years, I realized the stress weddings caused me was not right for me. I found boudoir, and quickly fell in love. The one on one environment, the studio, control of my light and surroundings, as well as being able to create an intimate relationship with one person instead of relying on many moving parts involved in a wedding day. I do still offer some family, couples, and weddings, however they are not my niche, but still very fun for me to change up my day to day.

Boudoir is an incredibly vulnerable type of photography shoot. A lot of my clients have never experienced it before, or felt good in their own skin in a long time, or even ever. They put so much trust in me to guide them to the headspace they crave: liking what they see in the mirror. I use a gentle approach with my clients, and ask lots of questions to understand what it is they are looking for. Each session is unique, not one is the same. Each client that walks into my studio is looking for something and I aim to help them find it within themself.

The session isn’t serious, it isn’t stressful. It’s light, fun, silly, sexy, free. I create an atmosphere where my clients can be themselves and connect with the woman they are deep down. A lot of my clients are working, they are moms, they are care givers, they are living their busy lives, and most don’t stop to take time for just them. So this is a huge pampering day for them. I call it a mix of a spa day, slash therapy, because, they do leave feeling renewed and slightly healed. That is my goal, anyway, to heal part of themself that just needs to feel seen.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Starting a business is something I had always thought of doing. I originally studied Business in college, then pivoted to Psychology as my ideas and interested honed it. You could say both are connected, especially in the field I am working in. Reading and understanding people in my line of work is so important. I want my clients to feel seen and heard, and like the most important person in the room.

My first probably 6 months in business, I only charged $100 per session. Now I average $3,000 per client. Posting on social media, talking to my friends and family about my business, all helped me gain traction. I bought a camera and lens kit with my own personal money, and didn’t go full-time with photography until 4 years into it. It takes time to build something when you have literally nothing to begin with.

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

You can’t please everyone, and you are not for everyone. There are some clients I have had to let go, or flat out tell we are not a good fit. It is hard, but it’s also ok. There are so many other photographers out there, so it is fine if someone is a better fit for a client that I am. I am ok with that. I am a people pleaser, so this was a tough one to learn, to know that some folks just aren’t a good fit. I do think sharing more of my personality on my online presence helps, as I think I attract like-minded people to my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jamiepetersonimages.com for portraits and www.boudoirbyjpi.com for boudoir
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boudoirbyjpi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiepetersonimages
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-peterson-58237a96
• Twitter: N/a
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jamie-peterson-images-oregon-city?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
• Other: Facebook VIP Ladies-Only Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339744229991526

Image Credits

Jamie Peterson Images