We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jourdan Ohl a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jourdan, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve poured my heart into is the Mosaic of Faith Showcase, a community gathering of artists: painters, poets, musicians, sculptors, and more. It will not be just an event; it will be a living tapestry of testimonies, where each piece shines a light on God’s grace in our broken and beautiful lives.

We will be hosting our first showcase at Palmer Home for Children in Hernando, Mississippi, January 03, 2026. Turning a space of healing into a gallery of worship, and it’s grown into something that feels like holy ground, drawing in souls who need to see faith made visible.

The backstory starts with a quiet stirring in my spirit over years. My family and I had moved from the neon buzz of Las Vegas, my hometown where I grew up. Where I spent years as a wedding and portrait photographer capturing fleeting moments of joy. To the slower, soul soothing rhythms of small town Mississippi. It was a leap of obedience for my husband’s career, trading slot machines and spotlights for trees and wide open fields. I remember the fear whispering in my ear: What if this is just bayou swamp land and everyone hates me? But God had other plans. In the stillness of our new home, He began whispering visions of stories untold, of art that doesn’t just decorate walls but mends hearts.

One Sunday morning at church, I watched in awe as a woman named Blaire from the worship team gave me my first glimpse of my calling. She was lost in praise, arms raised in a golden field of grace that only my imagination could see, her face radiant with the kind of joy that comes from battles won through Christ. In that moment, the seed of Mosaic of Faith cracked open. I felt compelled to approach her after service. Heart pounding, words tumbling out like a prayer and share the image God had planted: her story, her testimony, captured not just in words but in light and shadow. To my astonishment, she didn’t laugh it off. She leaned in, shared her own scars and triumphs, and said yes. That vulnerability birthed Lights of Testimony, my personal submission to the showcase.

Lights isn’t about my skill behind the lens, though I’ve chased light across deserts and ballrooms, it’s about surrendering the camera to the ultimate Storyteller. I sit with everyday heroes in our community: the single mom rebuilding after loss, the veteran whispering prayers over faded photos, the cancer survivor, the domestic abuse survivor, and the dreamer whose faith outshone their doubts. We talk for hours, unearthing the raw threads of their journeys hardship etched in tear-streaked smiles, triumph glowing in quiet resolve. Then, I pair their words with intimate portraits, golden hour fields, or shadowed sanctuaries, overlaying it all with Scripture that echoes their soul. Like Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Each piece becomes a lantern, illuminating how God redeems the ordinary into the eternal.

Why is this meaningful? Because in a world screaming for relevance, God called me to obey in the unseen: to listen first, create second, and let His light do the rest. Mosaic of Faith and Lights of Testimony has woven me deeper into this community, turning strangers into sisters, isolation into invitation. It’s taught me that my “not-enough” (no fancy studio, no art degree) is exactly what qualifies me, because it’s His mosaic, not mine.

Through it I’ve seen healings unfold. It’s a reminder that when we let our light shine, as Matthew 5:16 urges, it’s not for applause but to point every eye to the Father. In the thick of mothering, homemaking, and running Magnolia Grace Media, this project anchors me: a sacred yes to the Artist who first imagined me.

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.

I’m Jourdan, a wedding and portrait photographer based in Hernando, Mississippi, where I run Magnolia Grace Media LLC. My journey into photography began in Las Vegas, where I spent years capturing love stories as a top wedding photographer, fueled by a passion for celebrating life’s most joyful moments. After moving to Mississippi for my husband’s career, I faced the challenge of starting over in a new place, which led me to found my business with a mission to create art that reflects faith, hope, and connection.

At Magnolia Grace Media, I offer wedding and portrait photography, social media videos, and branding photos for businesses. My style is romantic, vibrant, and storytelling driven, blending natural light and dynamic compositions to capture genuine emotion and timeless moments. I’ve recently added affordable videography to my services, creating highlight videos that bring celebrations to life. Whether it’s a couple’s wedding day, a family’s candid chaos, or a business’s branding needs, I solve the problem of preserving fleeting moments with images and videos that feel alive and authentic.

What sets me apart is my heart for people and their stories. I love connecting with clients, hearing about their day, and crafting images that make them gasp or do a happy dance when they see the final product. My faith guides my work, and I strive to reflect grace and compassion in every project, whether I’m photographing a bride’s smile, a business owner’s vision, or a community member’s faith journey through my Lights of Testimony project for the Mosaic of Faith Showcase.

I’m most proud of building a business from scratch in a new state and creating a platform like the Mosaic of Faith Showcase, which brings artists together to celebrate creativity and community. I want potential clients to know that I’m not just a photographer, I’m a storyteller who sees the privilege in capturing their love, laughter, and legacy. My work is about more than photos; it’s about creating memories that feel like home, with a personal touch that makes every moment unforgettable.

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

My resilience shines through a health journey that’s tested me for nearly two decades. At 17, 19 tumors destroyed my thyroid, requiring a total thyroidectomy. The medication to stabilize me never fully worked, leaving me battling fatigue and imbalance for 16 years. Three months after surgery, a collapsed lung nearly took my life. I turned 18 in the ICU, later learning an orange sized cyst required nine titanium clips to secure my lung. Through countless doctors and unfulfilled hopes, my body resisted healing. Three years ago, I hit rock bottom. After two years of unimaginable stress with my husband’s job loss, caring for my sick father in law, my own job loss during COVID, and a dangerous, unapproved medication that was poisoning me, my health crumbled. Yet, through it all, my faith held firm, rooted in God’s provision for me, my husband Kyler, and our kids, Rose and Brett.

Moving to Mississippi marked a turning point. With new specialists, a new community, and a fresh start, I began to heal. I rebuilt Magnolia Grace Media, pouring my heart into photography and projects like Lights of Testimony. Even in my darkest valleys, I stood my ground, trusting God’s promise in Isaiah 41:10 to strengthen me. My optimism, faith, and determination drive me to create art that lifts others up. I want clients and followers to know that my work reflects a life of overcoming, proof that even through pain, you can rise to new heights and capture beauty that endures.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

It’s all about representing my business with authenticity showing my personality and putting my face out there. People connect with people, not just products or services. I sell me: my passion, my vibe, my unique approach. Personality wins it every time!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.magnoliagm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnolia_Grace_Media/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagnoliaGraceMedia/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/magnolia-grace-media-hernando
• Other: Booking Site: https://book.usesession.com/i/qr0jucMVbm

Image Credits

Magnolia Grace Media LLC