We recently connected with Jessica Mcdaniel and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?
For people who take family photos for their job (aka my people, for the last 20+ years), the elusive everyone-smiling-and-looking-at-the-camera photo is the one grandma wants, for the frame. It’s one I consider necessary, of course, because more often than not it’s one of the main reasons I’m there take photos for a family — it’s hard to get that photo without hiring someone. But I always do those kind of photos first, to get them out of the way, because then I can be creative, and spend the remaining time photographing moments — documenting real fun and interactions.
As cameras have evolved in the last 20 years, and especially those magical little cameras we carry with us everywhere, I’ve come to appreciate phone photography for these moments, especially when it comes to my own family. There’s always been some judgement in the world of professional photographers when it comes to the possibilities of phone photography, I think in part fueled by genuine concern — we all wonder what technological advances in phone photography mean for the future of our industry… But when we shake off those worries and just appreciate what that little camera can do and capture… we’re free to play and document incredible moments as we go.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Jess McDaniel, and I started Boston Baby Photos 20 years ago so that I could spend my days telling family stories in photographs. I’ve been winning best-of awards for ages now, and there’s nothing more wonderful to me than telling the stories of families as they grow. Bellies, newborns, squishy six month olds, big one year olds, toddlers, kiddos, seniors, families, I adore it all.
The most exciting thing I’m doing right now is the launch of my DIY Toddler Photos program: The Iconic Set by Boston Baby Photos (TM). Photographers who’ve been in business as long as I have often look for ways to use their expertise for something bigger and more meaningful, and I decided at my 20th anniversary celebration that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of parents of toddlers. By stepping back and looking at my body of work… looking at all the photos I’ve taken of one and two year olds in the last 20 years… I was able to see really clearly that there are particular photos that work really well at particular ages, when it comes to photos of 12 month olds, 18 month olds… 2 year olds. I’ve been spending so much time photographing toddlers in the last two decades, who better to organize and put a system together explaining which photos are the most iconic to take at all the different stages between 1-2 years old. So I did! I launched the Iconic Photo Monthly and the Summer Iconic in 2024, and parents are loving them!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
In addition to delivering gorgeous, knockout photos to my clients every time, I think that taking the business side of being a professional photographer seriously for all these years has helped my business thrive. Underpromising and overdelivering… being super clear about exactly when families will see their gallery… I think building and maintaining that relationship with my clients is critical. I always want my clients to have the best possible experience when they work with me, and I always want to treat everyone the way I’d want to be treated as a client.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The phrase “had to” pivot isn’t accurate here, it’s actually more of a “get to”, for me. I adore a challenge, and I love taking on something new and different. After 20+ years of photographing toddlers with my professional camera, the last couple of years of developing my DIY Toddler Photos program for parents teaching them to take better photos with their phones has been an absolute gift. I gave myself the gift of time – I said to myself, I want to do this thing. I’m giving myself 1/4 of my working hours… five work days every month… to get this thing launched. And I took about 18 months… and I launched it. Now I want to shout it from the rooftops – it’s so very exciting, this program. It’s there to truly help parents with 1-2 year olds simplify their relationships with their overflowing camera rolls… and to strategize about the photos they take of their toddlers. Of course I’m still photographing my clients with my big fancy camera… but I love that I also offer this product for them to use between sessions with me… because that phone camera in their pocket can do so much!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.iconicset.com
- Instagram: @phonephotoswithjess
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/phonephotoswithjess
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahaynesmcdaniel/
- Twitter: @bbphotographer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@phonephotoswithjess
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/boston-baby-photos-boston
Image Credits
Image credits: Jessica McDaniel, Keirnan Conroy Klosek & Mariah Gale