We recently connected with Jill Broussard and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jill thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Grit and perseverance. I think that sometimes, opportunities go to those who have unearned resources, can work unpaid internships, or who have generational wealth or resources that allow them to wait for opportunity instead of fighting for it. There’s nothing wrong with being born in the right place and the right time, but what about everyone else who doesn’t find themselves at those doorways? Are they to give up? Say this wasn’t meant for me? While we don’t give everyone the same opportunities, there are hidden pathways for those who truly seek and persevere. There are many doors if one knows where to look and ask. If you want something, sometimes you have to push and push and push until someone gives you an opportunity to come in the door. This takes courage, grit and the dedication to keep on persevering until the opportunity appears, or, make your own luck.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
A journalist by trade, I didn’t pick up a camera until nearly 20, and thus spent my early 20s in the darkroom. The magic of the darkroom gave way to computers eventually with digital photography coming into vogue, and art led to a career in commercial photography in Dallas, where I made the jump to put roots down. I spend my time working with advertising clients, seeking genuine moments and creating positive engaging photography to tell stories of real people. I work with scripted talent as well as real humans. I am versed in all aspects of commercial photography starting with concepting and pitching, to storyboarding and production detail, through to photography and video directing, and into post production and back end retouching. I have experience with all of it, and I have the crew to be able to pull off any sized project a client can throw at me. The trick is to have people around you better than you are, so that they help you become even better at what you do. Now that I’ve got a thriving career, I spend my time focusing on how to be a more holy and dedicated observer of the human spirit. The most fulfilling part about working as a photographer is getting unscripted access to people’s lives— I’ve photographed on sailboats, in beehives, and in remote jungle villages as well as people’s homes and their offices and places of leisure. Learning the details that create a person and make them whole is entirely satisfying. My favorite way to photograph is to turn the noise of the shutter off and click away while people talk, asking them to move and to share moments with me. When I’m not wearing the photographer’s many hats, I’m spending quite a bit of time working with the Diversity Committee within APA, American Photographic Artists, on ways to create a more equitable future for all photographers through mentorship opportunities, diverse crew and encouraging diverse talent, I strives to work with people who value a rich collective of people and ideas as a way to create the finest photography— and to be part of the changing landscape that allows for a brilliantly inclusive future. I want people to know that with 15 years under my belt, I’ve got the experience and the professionalism to do every job well. What sets me apart is the wisdom, ethics and the heart that I bring to the table. It’s my job to be an example of good communication, to think humbly about the best way to represent a vision that brings strength and celebation to all communities and all levels of access.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
When I graduated from college/decided I wanted to go into photography, I was fortunate enough not to have college debt, which would have necessitated a 9-5 career to start paying loans. I was able to work at Starbucks 40 hours a week, living a low key budget life while I dug around in photography and figured out what I wanted to do. I spent 2 years frittering around before I found someone who introduced me to a commercial photographer. That was only because I was confident enough to speak about my dreams, I worked in an area where people were open to chatting, and I was able to make relationships with my customers. Because of my zero debt low overhead lifestyle, I was able to take an unpaid internship until I could start assisting other photographers for pay. I was able to manipulate my retail schedule to provide more and more room for my budding career until one day, my manager told me that 5 hours a week wasn’t enough to maintain benefits or a consistent schedule. I had to quit, reluctantly, because I was on my way to making a go at a career that would provide me freedom, opportunity, creativity, and choice. My ability to grow and poke about and discover my interests was heavily dependent on not having college debt, not having a car loan, and being able to live simply and openly until the right pieces clicked into place. I had no one to take care of, be responsible for, or feel obligated to. I had preparation, education, optimism, a strong work ethic, and nothing stopping me from pursuing my dreams. This is not the path that everyone gets to take, but it was mine.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I have choice– choice has several meanings. I am the master of my own fate– I don’t have to ask permission for time off, I can attend to crisis or self-care as I choose, only answering to myself. I get to celebrate with my family and friends and for myself when I desire. The autonomy to make my own schedule and not have to answer to any single person is simply marvelous. I also get to choose who I work with. I get to make business decisions based on what I deem important. I can turn down clients, decide my fees and rates, and I get to express empathy, humility, vulnerability and curiosity with every relationship I nurture. If I believe our industry is not diverse enough, I get to be part of the movement to give everyone a place at the table. I get to offer my services to mentor, and I get to take time off of my work day to do service for what I deem valuable. I get to put my money where my mouth is. I get to decide the direction I go in– my hopes and my dreams can all be put onto a 5 year plan, or a 10 year plan. I get to adjust as I see fit, and change my plans, with no manager or boss telling me I can’t achieve. I am the master of my own fate. Out of the night that covers me, black and a pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. -Invictus

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jillbroussard.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jillbroussardtakesphotos
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/jillbroussard

Image Credits
photo credits Jill Broussard Photography 2022