We recently connected with Jordann Woolums and have shared our conversation below.

Jordann , appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Art has always been a passion of mine. I’ve explored different mediums over the years but photography was always a natural go to. So much so that I took it somewhat for granted at first. I remember losing track of time while looking through old family photos. Amazed at how moments were frozen in time for everyone and anyone to enjoy. I was also always happy to perform in front of the family camcorder when it was brought out on days in the park or at home playing dress up. My love for art in any form was always encouraged by my parents but my first mentor was my maternal grandfather who was a photographer and studio artist himself. I would spend days with him in his studio just quietly watching and observing. He was kind enough to find moments to teach me this and that but above all he inspired me to never give up and to keep practicing and exploring my skills.

In high school I would create videos and slideshows of friends goofing off and took pride in people’s excitement watching them back. It wasn’t until later in life though that the idea occurred to me to make my passion into a business venture.

My husband and I had just been blessed with our first child. We were living with my parents at the time trying to save up money for a house of our own. He was working his way through trade school and I was home trying to take care of our little girl as best I could. My love for taking photos and video became a need and an obsession with such an adorable little girl growing daily and leaving me in awe in every way. I didn’t want a single moment to go undocumented. I knew I would only regret the photos and videos I didn’t take. A lesson I learned when we didn’t hire a videographer for our wedding a couple years earlier.

When my sister got married and her budget didn’t allow for her to have one either, I decided to take it upon myself to attempt to give her something she could watch back and cherish years later. When someone close to her saw the video, they thought it good enough to ask me to do one for them and my business was born. It couldn’t have been a more perfect. A job that I could be passionate about, that would also allow me to prioritize my role as a mother. I can only credit and thank God for aligning everything so nicely for me.

My business began with a focus in wedding videography but now almost 6 years later I am open for hire in both photo and film. In videography, my first love will always be weddings as I am a sucker for love stories. In photo though I have felt a natural pull to family and maternity photography. The focus here allowing me to give other people in my same stage of life, a glimpse into the magic that is happening for them right now. Taking their story into consideration, elevating its beauty and allowing those moments to become keepsakes that they’ll get to cherish tomorrow.

I love getting up for the day and feeling excited at the chance to go to work. I get to meet new people and give them all a little something to remember. The moment’s significance and value? Priceless. That’s what makes it all so worthwhile and rewarding.

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.

For how I got into the industry-please see last submitted question.

I am a Utah wedding videographer and portrait photographer with a love for turning todays memories into tomorrow’s keepsakes. My approach to photo and video is to capture the natural, candid and in between beautiful moments that occur all while elevating how they are remembered through my artistic eye and perspective.

When you hire me, I work to help style and create an atmosphere that will allow you to be present and enjoy the moment that you are in. I lightly guide my clients through poses, but encourage them to also do whatever may come natural in the moment. It is important to me that they walk away from our time together feeling confident that they not only will have beautiful photos and videos to treasure, but that their time was well spent and that they found joy in the moment.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The majority of my clients find me through social media or word of mouth. When a client likes my work enough that their family or friends feel confident in coming to me as well, it means so much.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first began my business, my work was mainly filming weddings. This meant long hours and the majority of my weekends spent away from my family. Finding a good work/life balance is always something I have strived for. In the beginning I was taking on 4-6 weddings a month, but I have since scaled back in order to be sure that I too am present to create my own memories with my husband and girls. They are my why, my everything.

This is what has allowed more time for me to capture those building their own families, just like me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jclairefilms.com
• Instagram: @j.clairefilms

Image Credits
Personal and Behind the scenes photo by: Brynlee Paige Photography
All the other photos are by J. Claire Films