We recently connected with Jordyn Dryden and have shared our conversation below.

Jordyn, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

THE SPANISH CLASS Before there was Photographer Jordyn, there was Middle School Spanish Teacher Jordyn. Being the oldest sister, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I went to college to study Spanish and Secondary Education and landed a teaching job right out of college. My time as a teacher served as an unlikely foundation for Illuminate Photo Co. There, God was preparing me: to communicate directions clearly, to wrangle even the most excitable groups, to equip others to feel prepared and confident, to simplify the chaos, and to roll with all the punches in between.

THE WEDDING DRESS
Soon I became a Mrs., when I said “I do” to the boy I’d met many years prior on a youth group trip at age 15. My wedding was an effusion of emotion: a swirl of pre-ceremony butterflies, the rush of “you may now kiss the bride,” and the exhilaration of having all my loved ones in one place – except for my beloved great grandmother, who’d passed away only three weeks prior.

We were incredibly close: we used to have sleepovers and watch Pride & Prejudice together, which is what inspired the style of my wedding dress, my updo, and the song I walked down the aisle to. She would have loved every second. But just before she passed away, I’d brought my wedding dress over so she could see me in it. At that point, she could hardly open her eyes, so I rubbed her fingers over the lace and told her about every detail of the dress.

We took pictures together, with me in my wedding dress, and I’m endlessly grateful that we did: those photos remind me of how connected we were, how much she would have loved to see me get married, and how proud she was of me. Even years later, those photos fill me with love, grief, sorrow, and comfort – some of my deepest grief and fullest joy are found in photographs like those ones, which inspired me to capture that same tender breadth of emotion for others, too.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS Once wrangling spirited preteens in Spanish class, I’m now wrangling stray family members for group shots and keeping the day moving productively (let’s just say that having a well-honed “teacher voice” can really come in handy sometimes). Once a lovestruck new bride, I now help other brides revel in the excitement of their engagement shoot and wedding day – and revisit those experiences for years to come with story-driven photography that transports them back in time. Once (and some days still) a brokenhearted granddaughter, I’m now honored to photograph couples and the people they care about most, preserving their love like a paused moment in time.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As an ex-Spanish teacher, it’s nearly impossible to take the drive to learn (and educate) out of me. My favorite book for any business owner is Profit First. It’s all about how to run a profitable business. So often we entrepreneurs have amazing ideas, start dabbling, a hobby turns into a side hustle, and then we find ourselves pouring all the money back into the business. Is it worth it? Should we go back to our day jobs? Profit First taught me how to not only pay myself consistently but to run a profitable business. I feel like I’ve been given back freedom! My business is no longer just a “hobby” or all “hustle”. It’s a growing, sustainable business that gives me a creative outlet and provides for my family.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

You won’t be FOR everyone and yet, people want YOU.

I spent years as a photographer loving the work of others and feeling like mine wasn’t good enough. Trying to fit myself into a million boxes and hating the results. Trying to be “bright and airy” but also “warm and moody” but also “authentic and candid” yet feeling like I have to master everything technical or I wouldn’t be qualified.

That wasn’t me. I’m not warm and moody. I’m not drawn to flash photos or dramatic lighting. I don’t think everything about life is magical and “bright and airy”.

I like true. True colors. True moments. High contrast. Light and sun.

So when I stepped back and realized that I was exhausted trying to wear all those hats and be a type of photographer that I myself wasn’t even drawn to, I had to do some re-evaluating.

I realized that at my core I just wanted to feel connected to each client I worked with and serve them well (and gosh darn it quit comparing myself to everyone else). How do you do that in an industry that is so easily driven by perfection and beauty (rather than authenticity)?

It took me stumbling onto an online Facebook group (Ben Hartley’s Six Figure Photography Mastermind) and diving into his education and philosophy of running a business to really understand that I’m not the only one who wants connection and authenticity… My clients want it, too.

It’s what makes you different that draws people to you. Most of us can tell when someone is being themselves and confident in their skin. When I accepted that I won’t be “for” everyone and stopped trying to attract everyone to me, when I gave up being uncomfortable and insecure when I’d lose clients to competitors, and functioned out of a belief that I just needed to be who I am, quirks and all, confident in it — THAT would draw people to me. And it did! Not only that but it brought JOY and FREEDOM.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.illuminatephotoco.com
• Instagram: @illuminatephotoco

Image Credits
Illuminate Photo Co.