We recently connected with Jessie Marrero and have shared our conversation below.
Jessie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
I am a professional Photographer, specializing in Maternity & Newborn Art. I have been in the field for 17+ years now.
I am self taught. And did everything I could to familiarize myself with this world. I am passionate about new life & art, and was determined to share my love with the world.
Turning point in my career would be when I was approached by a director of marketing for a local hospital for my work. They were looking for new art to display in their units. She happened to really enjoy my creativity, and made it happen. This was truly a dream come true for a Newborn Photographer. To have my work displayed throughout the halls, for all expecting / new parents to see. Monthly it was hundreds!
What happen next was organic and a true miracle! There were specifically [2] celebrity babies born in that hospital during that time. The parents now viewing my work and loved it. I end of becoming their photographer of choice. Those images go viral, and from one second to the next, I am now photographing many many more celebrity babies, televised, published; In addition, having clients fly me over to California for their in home sessions. It has been one amazing journey!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am Jessie Marrero, The Baby Whisperer!
Professional Photographer, specializing in Newborn Art.
My goal is to document those first couple of weeks of their new addition, with a heartwarming experience, utmost care, creative images, and a memory to last a lifetime.
With years of experience working with newborns, I understand the importance of creating a calm and safe environment. Every session is customized to reflect what inspires that family most.
Love, patience and creativity are key when working with newborns!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
A few years ago, during the highest peak in my career, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Everything changed—my health, my energy, my focus—but my love for photography never wavered. I remember, in those early days of diagnosis and treatment, feeling overwhelmed and scared about what the future held. But amidst all the uncertainty, I found one thing that kept me grounded: the thought of the babies I photographed, the joy of capturing moments that would be cherished forever.
During treatment, there were days when I could barely lift my camera. I had to cancel sessions, postpone shoots, and even question whether I’d be able to continue doing what I loved. The physical toll of treatment was intense, and the emotional rollercoaster was harder to navigate. But even on my hardest days, I reminded myself that resilience wasn’t about perfection—it was about doing what you can, even when it feels like you can’t.
Through all the challenges, I kept working when I could. I began photographing newborns again when I was able to, and I found that each session was not just a job, but a reminder of what truly mattered in life: love, family, and the beauty of new beginnings. Every session became a symbol of my own journey—a reminder of the strength it takes to overcome adversity.
It wasn’t easy. There were setbacks, tears, and moments when I didn’t know how I’d push forward. But as I watched families hold their newborns in those tender moments, I felt that same strength within myself. The joy of creating something meaningful, something lasting, helped me heal in ways I hadn’t expected.
Now, years later, I’ve emerged stronger, with a renewed passion for my work. I look back on that time and realize that my journey with Breast Cancer didn’t break me—it reshaped me, taught me resilience in ways I never could have imagined, and made me even more dedicated to capturing the beauty of life’s precious moments. It’s not just about photography anymore; it’s about the power of resilience, love, and the beauty of overcoming challenges, no matter how hard the road may seem.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
When I first started my journey as a newborn photographer, I knew that social media would be a huge part of how I could reach new clients and connect with families. Becoming your own marketing guru is not easy. I wasn’t sure how to make my online presence stand out amidst the noise of so many talented photographers.
At first, I posted sporadically, sharing a few of my favorite images here and there…..I wasn’t getting the engagement I hoped for. It wasn’t until I realized that social media isn’t just about posting my work, it’s about building relationships too.
One turning point for me was when I started sharing more than just my photos. I started sharing parts of my Breast Cancer / Personal journey—what it was like to be a photographer, behind-the-scenes moments, and even some of the personal challenges I faced. I shared the little moments that made me human. I also began talking more about the why behind my work—the stories of the families I photographed, and how capturing those moments was about so much more than just snapping a picture.
Being vulnerable and real allowed me to connect with people on a deeper level. I was a person, with a story, a passion, and an understanding of what they were going through as parents or soon-to-be parents.
Social media isn’t just about pushing content—it’s about creating conversations. I asked questions, held polls, and even shared my struggles. Building a community was a lot about showing up and being present.
Hashtags became a game-changer for me. I learned how to use specific, targeted hashtags that helped my posts reach the right people.
Collaborations: I realized how important collaborations were. I reached out to other photographers, local businesses, and even moms’ groups to collaborate on giveaways. These partnerships helped me gain exposure to new audiences that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. I also emphasized to my clients how important it was to tag, share and give testimonies about their experience.
If I can give anyone advice today, it would be to stay relevant. Continue to remind everyone that you are there, share your highs and your lows, connect with your audience, love your fans, let them know that you are present, and appreciate the support more than they know,
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JessieMarrero.com
- Instagram: JessieMarreroPhotography
- Facebook: JessieMarreroPhotography