We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jess White. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jess below.

Jess, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I started photography eight years ago as a hobby. I was living in California at the time and took some photography classes. For the first three years I was dabbling in photography I would visit Tennessee during the summer to see family and I would have sessions while visiting. In 2018 when I moved back to Tennessee full time my weekends were full of photography. I worked as a bartender during the week and then had sessions on the weekends. During the pandemic I picked up a full-time remote position as an Underwriter specialist and had sessions when I could. At the beginning of 2022 the world started to go back to normal and my full-time place of employment decided they wanted to go back to three to four days in office in Franklin. I really take pride in being there for my kids when they need me so this wasn’t ideal for my family so we decided to take the full-time photography plunge! We turned our front formal dining room into a perfect little in home studio so I could take on newborn and milestone sessions. Since we made the decision for myself and for our family for me to go full-time business has been amazing. I really credit having a strong client base and lengthy portfolio to my consistent work and income. I post of my photography Facebook daily with new content which is always helpful for new potential clients to see I stay busy and all the new fun ideas I come up with! The hardest part of going full time with creative work is just taking that first leap and doing it. Having encouraging friends and family really helps! My friends pushed me for years to take the leap into being a full-time photographer and were so happy when I did. My husband has also been incredibly supportive and loves helping the business out however he can!

Jess, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I’m Jess! I’m first and foremost a mom to three amazing kids. Mae, Adalei, and Beaux! I am married to the most amazing man, Chris! I am a full-time photographer living in Murfreesboro. I started photography on a whim eight years ago buying a camera from a friend. I had always wanted to get into photography but didn’t know where to start. The first three years of my photography “career” were spent in California where I learned everything I could about photography. I took a couple college courses and built my portfolio. I moved back home to Tennessee in 2018 and my photography career really took off. I pride myself in my strong client base who feel more like family. I specialize in family photography and milestone photos! I love creating a personalized and fun experience for my clients. But I photograph everything from Fresh 48 to weddings and everything in between. I really enjoy and find it so special I get to watch people’s kids grow so closely. The brand I’ve built for myself is very honest and very open. I love being vulnerable online about mental health and being a mom, which leads to personal connections. Most people who haven’t met me and book a session feel like they already know me just from being my friend online. I am the most proud of building a brand and a business from nothing and really having growing success. I was a teen mom at the age of 18 and all I’ve ever wanted since was a sense of stability and pride for myself. Photography has really given me that and I am so thankful!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I lived in California I was married to my son’s father who had joined the Air Force, we were stationed at Beale Air Force Base. It was the loneliest time in my life. I had bad postpartum depression after having my son Beaux and my whole family was 36 hours away. I really poured myself into learning about photography and started booking sessions. Through those sessions I met amazing families that made me feel not so alone. When I had made the decision to move back home I saved all the money I made from sessions to give to my dad to travel to California to pick up as much of our belongings and my car that he could. I was only charging like, $150 a session at the time. But I did it, I made enough money over about three months for my dad to make the drive for our belongings and for plane tickets for myself, Mae, and Beaux. When I moved back to Tennessee I truly didn’t have much. I brought my summer clothes, as many of my kids toys as I could, and of course my photography gear. As I went through the divorce process I bartended during the week and had photography on the weekends just trying to get back on my feet. The money and the connections I’ve made through photography have truly saved me. It has given me a purpose and career. It has led me to the most genuine clients and amazing friends. I am forever thankful for this craft for giving me so much worth and happiness.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is always to make my children proud. To show them as a hard working woman you can truly make waves and an impact in the world. There is just something about as an artist when you pass your work lives on forever. Photos last forever and I am so honored I get to be a part of a tiny sliver of people’s history and legacy while they’re here!

Contact Info:

• Website: jessdaniphoto.com
• Instagram: jessdaniphotog
• Facebook: Jess Dani Photography