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

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

When I was fresh out of college with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development, I wasn’t sure what to do next. I wanted to either get my teaching license or go on to get my Master’s in School Counseling. But for the moment, I needed to work because my husband had just started school to get his Master’s degree and one of us had to make some money. I decided to take a job working in an office on campus that was largely filing and entering information into the computer. I dreaded that job. I felt I had no creativity, no drive and no desire to go each day. I had jobs before that were busywork but that was while I was in school and I saw it as a means to an end. Here I was, graduated and still doing mindless busywork that didn’t inspire me. Interestingly enough, that’s what my husband was going through too with his Master’s program. A complete lack of desire or inspiration to do the thing that the schooling was preparing him to do. We both decided we had to be true to ourselves. We were creative types and if we stifled that side of ourselves, we would be unhappy for years. As a result, we made drastic career and schooling changes. I did end up getting a teaching degree and teaching high school for several years but I also started my photography business during this time. I loved the creativity I found in planning lessons and teaching and I loved the creativity I felt behind the camera, documenting important moments in other people’s lives (and my own).

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

I have loved photography ever since I was a teenager. My dad got me a Nikon film camera for Christmas one year when I was 14 years old. I thought it was the most beautiful and complex thing I’d ever seen. I read the manual from cover to cover teaching myself how to use it. I went downtown and took black and white photos of old buildings, signs and bridges. I framed those photos in my room, I was so proud of them. I offered to take photos of the kids I babysat and the parents said I would get real, authentic smiles from their kids. Fast forward to college years and I let my love for photography fizzle. I focused on other studies and didn’t pursue photography in school. About 2 years after graduation, I yearned for a creative outlet again. My husband bought me a Canon Rebel for my birthday one year and from that point on, I was hooked. Researching online, reading all the books, posting photos on forums for critiques, teaching myself photoshop by watching you tube videos and offering 50 dollar photo shoots to friends. The one thing I had people tell me over and over is that I was able to get real smiles from their family members. And that it, “wasn’t painful at all” to do photos with me. I still get that compliment and I love it.

Photo sessions shouldn’t be painful. They should be fun and memorable. When you look at your photos on the wall, I want you to think, “Remember that afternoon? We played and laughed and we were together,” That’s what I aim to document. Connection. Time together. And I want to capture that moment in time with a set of photos that tell a story. I guess that’s what I’m most proud of, my ability to connect with people which I think in turn, helps them connect with each other in front of the camera. Taking photos is only part of my job, finding the connection is just as important.

One funny story, I have a client who said at the end of our photo session to his kids, “Everyone thank Ms. Jessica because you have no idea how lucky you are that she takes our photos so quickly and painlessly. You have no idea what type of family photos I had to go through growing up! Hours of posing perfectly and then hating the pictures after, it was the worst! Now, all of you, thank her!” They did.

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

I had to unlearn that a good photo is one where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. That was definitely my goal when I started out taking photos. I had to get that perfect photo. Everyone is spaced just right, looking at the camera, not a hair out of place with authentic smiles. What I’ve learned over the years is that a good photo is a photo that makes you feel something. And if that is a photo of your family all looking and smiling, then that’s great! I always make sure I get some of those in my sessions still. But I don’t stress about perfection because life isn’t perfection. Families aren’t perfection. Families are real, fun and silly. Families have inside jokes and snuggles and laughter. I’d rather document that and make sure my clients remember and feel that moment fondly.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I believe strongly in word of mouth. I am so lucky to have wonderful clients who refer me to their friends and family. This has always been my favorite way to get new clients. I love receiving an email that says, “My friend _____ gave me your info, I just love her photos and hope I can schedule a session soon.” I always make sure to message my client thanking them for sending their friend my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicashumway.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicashumwayphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicashumwayphotography

Image Credits
Jessica Shumway Photography