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

Hi Jill, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Hi, thanks for having me! Of course, I’d love to tell you a little bit about how I got here. I have what some people might call an obsessive-ish personality. Combine that with my constant yearning to learn, sprinkle in a little too much perfectionism, and here I am. My self-driven (ok, stubborn) personality has gotten me through more DIY projects than I can count. When I set my mind on learning something, I get this absurd tunnel vision until I figure it out (which is what got me through so many home repairs, plumbing work, car repairs, etc…). So when I picked up a camera for the first time, I did what I do best…completely submerge myself in all things related to photography and apply what I learn (over and over and over) until I felt competent at it. The only thing standing in the way between me and a new skill is time. There never seems to be enough of it!

Jill, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Absolutely. Well first of all, my name is Jill and I’m the face behind Jill Kristin Photography. A lot of people ask me if my name is short for Jillian. It’s not. Just Jill! My husband and I both grew up in a small town in southwest Wisconsin. It hardly makes a mark on the map, but it’s one of the most beautiful areas right in the Driftless Region. We’re currently in the Iowa City area juggling schedules with a house full of teenagers who are involved in all kinds of extra curricular activities. Between the two of us, we have six children (ages 19, 18, 17, 16, 14, and 12). As they are now venturing off to college and some out of state, we definitely soak up the time that we do get to be together.

I started my business like a lot of other photographers did. I picked up my first “big” camera back when my own children were little and only had plans of documenting them. I had no intentions of starting a business. I had one goal and one goal only… to create a vast array of images that my children could one day look back on. Not just snapshots of their faces, but unique pieces of art that told their story. Something that sends them back in time and lets them sort of relive their childhood whenever they want.

I started posting my personal work on social media, and soon after had friends and family reach out asking me to photograph their families as well. Little by little, my personal hobby started morphing into more of a side hustle. This was also right in the thick of a busy season for me. I was raising four babies, teaching piano lessons, and going through a divorce. It didn’t really leave a lot of time (or brain power) for more clients than I already had. So for many years, photography remained my little side gig and ultimately my creative outlet. As my children grew a little older and more independent, I was able to pour more energy into a craft that honestly brought a lot of joy to me.

Eager to refine my skills, I took on a variety of opportunities to photograph people. Everything from weddings and business events to sports portraits and newborns. It took me longer than it probably should have to really niche down in my field. And it wasn’t until a couple years ago that I took the leap of faith and turned this into a full time business.

I now specialize in family photography and take advantage of every travel opportunity that comes with it. My work is categorized as ‘lifestyle’. It’s a bit of a mix between portraits and documentary. Some call it unposed. One thing that sets me apart from others is my client closet. I have an ever-evolving wardrobe full of gowns (many that are free-size so they fit a wide range of sizes and body shapes) and accessories for families to use during their session with me. I’ve hand picked custom pieces in flattering colors and patterns that photograph well and also look absolutely stunning on my clients. I’ve found that it broadens options for what to wear and gently pushes people to think beyond their typical wardrobe. Ultimately, this takes an enormous amount of stress off of parents when it comes to styling their family for photos.

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

Honestly, the most effective strategy for me is just building trust with my clients. I wish I could say I had a magic formula for bringing in new clientele, but what it boils down to is my love and fascination for people. I’m so intrigued by everyone’s walks of life and what made them who they are today. Because of that, I tend to connect with people pretty easily, which has really been the key for me. The raw and often deep conversations I have with my clients puts them at ease and makes them forget there’s even a camera in front of them. Everything I do throughout my process is solely focused on giving my clients what they need, making them feel heard, and removing as much stress as possible.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find a lot of joy in documenting the kind of moments in life that might otherwise get overlooked. I want people to look at my images and not just see an aesthetically pleasing photo. I want them to feel something. I love amplifying that emotion with an artistic twist in the perspectives that I shoot and in my editing style. What’s even more fulfilling for me is getting to show my clients how incredibly beautiful each and every one of them are. I know it’s not always easy to be in front of a camera. It can feel a bit awkward if it’s not something we do often. So I get a little giddy when I see clients really start to relax, open up, and actually enjoy getting their photo taken. With all the reasons we might find insecurities in ourselves, I want my images of them to be what fuels their self love.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jillkristin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillkristinphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillkristinphotography
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jillkristinphotography