We were lucky to catch up with Jimi Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jimi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I were starting over today, there are definitely a few things I’d do differently. I started with wildlife photography, thinking I could build a business around it. But I quickly learned that it’s tough to make a living when there aren’t paying clients. Sure, some photographers make money selling prints or leading wildlife photography tours, but I didn’t yet have the following to sell enough prints, and Nashville isn’t exactly a hotspot for wildlife photography tours.

So, the first thing I’d change? I’d keep wildlife photography as a passion and focus on photographing people from the start, because that’s where the real business opportunities are.

The second big change? I’d spend way less time trying to grow on social media and more time building real connections with potential clients. When I transitioned into family and portrait photography, I did three or four free shoots for friends with kids. That gave me a strong portfolio, helped me refine my skills, and provided the images I still use for my website and ads today. Those early sessions led directly to my paid work and grew my business much faster than any Instagram post ever could.

If I had focused on these two things earlier, I could have built a profitable business much faster—with less trial and error along the way.

Jimi , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been interested in photography since I was a kid, but music was always my biggest obsession. I remember using my mom’s film camera to try and photograph house sparrows through my grandma’s bedroom window. But after that, photography went dormant for more than 20 years.

That changed during COVID. At the time, I was managing a big restaurant in downtown Nashville, working 50+ hours a week. Then, suddenly, I was home 100% of the time. I felt the need to reconnect with nature, to have time for myself. I had an old Canon DSLR, borrowed a cheap zoom lens, and took a walk down one of Nashville’s many greenways.

That first photo walk changed everything. I got incredibly lucky and spotted a barred owl. Capturing that moment reignited my love for photography. Even more meaningful was using my camera to help a few kids on the trail spot the owl—showing me how photography can be a bridge between people and the world around them.

That experience shaped how I approach photography today. I try to balance the effort it takes to get the perfect shot with simply being present—whether I’m photographing people or wildlife.

After COVID, I returned to the restaurant industry—it provided stability for my family, but something had shifted. After spending so much time at home with my wife and young kids, it was incredibly difficult to go back to working long hours and being away so much.

One afternoon, when I was really struggling with that feeling, I sat down and made a list of all the skills I had outside of the restaurant industry. Almost immediately, I saw a path forward. Photography wasn’t just something I loved—it was something that could give me the freedom I was craving while also contributing financially to my family.

I realized that by focusing on family photography, I could help other parents capture the fleeting moments of childhood, moments that feel like they pass in the blink of an eye. That clarity gave me the confidence to take the leap, and I haven’t looked back since.

My photography is all about documenting the moments that matter. Most of my clients are families—whether they’re celebrating a new baby, capturing the fleeting moments of childhood, or just wanting to freeze time for a little while. I also work with creative professionals, helping them tell their stories through branding photography, headshots, and event coverage.

This year alone, I’ve photographed countless families, shot an all-day recording session at Blackbird Studios, worked with multiple best-selling authors, and provided professional headshots for small businesses and independent professionals.

Simply put—if you’re a human with a family, a passion, or a business, I’m here to help you capture it.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a creative person is getting to preserve meaningful moments for people—whether it’s a fleeting expression between family members, the excitement of a new career milestone, or the quiet beauty of everyday life. Photography has taught me to slow down and be present, both for myself and for my clients.

I love that my work allows me to create something lasting—something that families will look back on years from now and feel transported to that exact moment in time. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that the images I capture will become part of someone’s story, passed down through generations.

On a personal level, being a photographer has also given me the freedom to spend more time with my own family and to build a life centered around what truly matters to me. That combination—helping others hold onto their most cherished moments while also creating a life that aligns with my own values—is what makes this work so rewarding.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that passion alone isn’t enough—you need adaptability, patience, and a willingness to pivot when things don’t go as planned.

When I first decided to pursue photography, I was convinced that wildlife photography could be a full-time career. I poured time, energy, and money into it, but I quickly realized that making a sustainable living from it—especially in Nashville—was going to be an uphill battle. I didn’t have the following to sell enough prints, and there wasn’t a strong local market for guided wildlife photography trips.

So, I had to face reality. I went back to the restaurant industry. It provided financial stability for my family, but after getting a taste of what life could be like outside of 50+ hour work weeks, it was hard to ignore the pull to do something different.

One day, in a moment of frustration and clarity, I sat down and made a list of all my skills. Photography stood out—not just as something I loved, but as something I could build a real business around. This time, though, I approached it differently. Instead of chasing a niche with no clients, I started photographing families. I offered free sessions to friends, built a portfolio, and slowly turned it into something sustainable.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the missteps because they taught me resilience. I learned to adapt, to let go of what wasn’t working, and to build something that not only helps financially but also allows me to be present with my family. It wasn’t a straight path, but every detour led me here, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

Jimi Anderson Photography