Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Ambuehl. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

One of the very first paid gigs in my career as an actor happened to be with my boys. It was a commercial shoot for a hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that was needing a mom with two young children. After auditioning and being cast, I learned the script actually called for a boy and an infant girl. So, my oldest (Camden) who was 5 at the time, played the older male sibling folding laundry by my side in the living room while I spoke my lines and held a newborn (Gavin) in my arms . . . my actual son I gave birth to a couple of months prior but who was now dressed in a pink onesie and referred to as “Maggie.”

To this day over 13 years later, Camden is now in college and we still joke about this project as we hope to use the now-grainy footage to embarrass Gavin at his future high school graduation party.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I believe we are all storytellers; we just use different means to tell stories to those around us. I choose a camera to educate, challenge, entertain, and inspire the world.

And I have the honor of being a professional storyteller on both sides of the camera. Oddly enough, I didn’t dream of doing any of these things growing up nor did I receive much formal training. I fell into this passion later on in life and am grateful for looking back and seeing how all my past experiences led me to where I am today.

I dabbled in acting as a teenager and even took some classes but didn’t stick with it. Fast forward a decade, now married with a baby, I decided to try my hand at this skill again. I brought my son to audition for the same talent agency I was once with years prior and while there, I resolved to do the same. With a somewhat flexible schedule and a desire to try acting again, we were both signed. That “fun thing to try again” turned into a hobby which turned into a career which turned into a passion. Many years later with over 140 projects (commercials, films, industrials, voice-overs, print, etc.) on my resume and representation in eight states, I often coach and speak on the business side of acting and pour into performers who were once in my shoes. (Samples of my work can be viewed at www.JessicaAmbuehl.com.)

But the story doesn’t stop there. My Master’s Degree in Medica Communications with an emphasis in Pubilc Relations from Webster University helped prepare me to later produce events of all sizes which then naturally transitioned into producing for TV/film when I entered that industry. My experience on both sides of the camera offers clients a full-rounded experience and a unique perspective to every project.

Through my company, Under The Tree Designs, I provide clients with a variety of services including producing, directing, casting, location management, wardrobe styling, and covid compliance management (www.underthetreedesigns.org). This work has translated into over 100 projects representing companies and nonprofits all over the nation such as NBC Universal, Hayden5, GQ, Amazon, HGTV, and Turner Entertainment.

But what feeds my soul most is doing pro bono international photojournalism for nonprofits, capturing the amazing humanitarian work being done around the world and donating the photographs to help tell their stories and raise funds with excellence. I have had the privilege of serving countless countries over 40 trips from Haiti to Tunisia, Kenya to Turkey, Costa Rica to Uganda, Romania to Guatemala . . . and many more.

No matter the format, my mission is to use imagery to connect the world through human experiences by evoking emotions in the audience to desire to learn more, value differences, discover beauty in brokenness, and expose them to a world they didn’t know existed but can now no longer deny. I may have been born and raised in the Midwest, but my heart continually lingers to be elsewhere, ready to tell a new story to the world.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission for storytelling is to use imagery to connect the world through human experiences by evoking emotions in the audience to desire to learn more, value differences, discover beauty in brokenness, and expose them to a world they didn’t know existed but can now no longer deny. Part of my personal creative journey is to look for ways to continually learn, find ways to be stretched, research and support other artists, and connect with others around the world. And, my goal is to use my gifts and talent to give back and bless others with excellence. I can attest to the saying that it is better to give than to receive . . . yet when we give, we receive much in return whether we recognize it or not.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Some of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist . . .

As an actor is when someone gets lost in the story due to me portraying a character with truth.

As a producer, it’s seeing a finished product and presenting it to either a client or an audience.

As a photojournalist, it’s seeing images used to help tell a nonprofit’s story that in turn raises money so they can continue their efforts around the world.

Yet in every aspect, it is the opportunity to meet new people and experience new cultures. The satisfaction of bringing something to life. Creating something that will live beyond my years on earth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessicaambuehl.com / www.underthetreedesigns.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaambuehl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.l.ambuehl/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-ambuehl-b373b539/

Image Credits
Under The Tree Designs