We recently connected with Jessica Crandall and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Photography has always been a passion of mine– specifically, capturing moments. I love the composition and design aspects behind well-thought-out photos too. Therefore, when the world shut down in 2020 I decided to finally take a photography course to learn how to use my camera to my advantage. I wanted to learn and master my camera so the output came closer to the idea I had in my head. I wish I would’ve taken a course sooner because it would have been nice to have an in-person class that was more hands-on. However, I took advantage of being at home during the pandemic and constantly practiced with things around the apartment– my cats, meals, drinks, anything I baked, and my husband. Knowing what I know now, I know shadowing a photographer during a photo gig would’ve sped up my learning process as well. I had to learn all those skills on my own. However, I do have a mentor (DJ Freesmeier of Frees Frame Photo) that I use for all my photography related questions and he has helped me learn the most essential skill which is something I possessed from the start- being a people-person. An obstacle that stood in the way of learning more was the obstacle of finding photography clients as I was just starting up. I wanted to be a second shooter for a wedding so badly (to keep learning more and have content to add to my portfolio) but no one would take a chance on a second shooter with no wedding experience… so I just had to start shooting weddings with no experience….which was scary.

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

I’m a licensed architect by trade but started up my own photography business, Crandall With A Sea, on the side. I have an eye for composition due to my design degree and use that to my advantage with photography. I’ve always had a passion for photography which is what led me to want to do it on the side. I already had friends asking me to take their photos for certain occasions, so I figured “why not!?” I started taking online photography classes and honestly just self-taught myself everything I know. I started up “Crandall with a sea” as my photography business in 2020, launching mid-pandemic to help give me something to do besides sit inside and work my 9-5 job. Once I had a few sessions under my belt, my husband helped me purchase a new mirrorless camera and from there I started taking it a lot more seriously. I promised him that in one year I would make a return on that investment. And that I did! Thus far, I’ve been able to photograph engagements, weddings, family portraits, new born, and events. I don’t have one that I prefer over the other, I truly learn so much with each and every session I have. I love taking risks and figuring out what does and doesn’t work. A lot of what I love to do comes from getting to know my clients on a personal level to ensure that they feel comfortable with me. As someone who thoroughly enjoys meeting new people, photography has been such an amazing connector. I’ve absolutely loved spending the hour or two with each and every one of my clients, and after every session my cheeks actually HURT from smiling so much. You’d think it would be the other way around… but I enjoy taking photos so much. What I love more is the fact that these photos mean so much to each and every person– they are essentially frozen time. Memories and moments that they will have forever.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is knowing that you are able to help give someone something they didn’t even know they needed. This is actually true for both my career as an architect and a photographer. But for photography, this entails knowing how to get a reaction out of the photo subject. For instance, you may think you just want a nice family photograph that has everyone with their eyes open, smiling at the camera… However, what I will deliver on top of that, are other candid moments where you and your significant other are looking at your kids with so much admiration that it radiates through the photos. I’ll get moments of you laughing at each other, playing with each other, and even some real goofy faces along the way. I aim to go beyond the typical photos to deliver something even greater. A moment of love that is frozen in time for you to cherish forever.

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

My goal with this creative journey is to “make it big time” of course! I hope that my photography skills are requested from large corporations wanting to publish my work. I aspire to be a well-sought out photographer within the industry and have clientele who fly me to them. I have a deep-rooted passion for travel as well, and being paid to travel would be the absolute DREAM. I know that’s a far-fetched goal, but it does drive my creative journey. I hope to continue learning with each and every session and grow my business with even more clients. Therefore, if you’re in need for a photographer, well, look no further….

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crandallwithasea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crandall.with.a.sea/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-luber-crandall

Image Credits
Headshot photographed by DJ Freesmeier, FreesFramePhotography