We were lucky to catch up with Justine Esslinger recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Justine, thanks for joining us 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.

I’m a commercial photographer doing shooting in the lively town of Bozeman, or as some folks call it, Bozeangeles. I kicked off my photography journey in college, specializing in studio photography and lighting. After that, I took a leap and moved to Seattle, hoping to pick up some tricks of the trade from the pros around me. Turns out, getting them to spill their secrets wasn’t as easy as I thought.

While my creative pals were flourishing, I found myself lacking not in skills, education, or hustle, but in confidence. Looking back at the first decade of my career, I realize I could’ve used a bit more swagger. I was good at what I did, but I didn’t always believe it.

Back then, whenever I hit a snag (and trust me, it happened a lot), I’d throw in the towel and take a giant step backward. If I could rewind, I’d tell myself to stand tall and learn from the stumbles instead of running from them. Now, even though setbacks still sting, I’ve learned to appreciate their silver lining. I take a hit, sure, but I’ve figured out how to turn those fails into stepping stones for my next move in the commercial photography game. Fails are so important and valuable to learn from and keep us growing!

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 Justine Esslinger, born and raised in Montana, and I’ve made my way back home for the long haul after. In high school, I lacked direction but had to pick something for college. A darkroom class sparked my interest in photography, leading me to a small school in the Colorado mountains to study studio photography.

Being easily distracted, I wasn’t a stellar student, and negative feedback was nothing new. However, a few projects finally resonated with me. Playing with filters, creating still lifes resembling paintings—I found my niche. While I didn’t become a model student overnight, I did gain confidence and a clearer sense of my passion.

The transition from school to turning this passion into a career took me over five years. No one knew if I’d stick with photography after leaving school, but I couldn’t think of anything else to do. The journey involved plenty of trial and error, but I eventually found my way into commercial photography with more finesse.

I’m an emotional creative with an upbeat personality, and expressing emotions through my work is where I thrive. I love telling stories through my lens—capturing the essence of lived-in homes, showcasing culinary creations, or bringing curated products to life. It wasn’t an easy road, but I never gave up, and somehow, success and an amazing community found me, for which I’m immensely grateful.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I FAILED A LOT! A lot a lot, more than most. Let me tell you, I’m not the quickest learner in the bunch. In a field where everyone’s picking up a camera, and photographers seem to be a dime a dozen, I felt the pressure. I’ve watched people start a decade after me and, within a year, build thriving businesses with stunning content. My journey hasn’t been easy. Learning, growing, and committing have been ongoing struggles.

Despite the challenges, this career wouldn’t let me go, and I’ve come to appreciate that persistence. Failure used to be my constant companion, but now it’s become a tool rather than an enemy. It’s made me pretty darn resilient in this game—well, most of the time.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the creative realm, particularly in my experience with photography, change is the name of the game. Pivoting isn’t an exception; it’s practically a routine. Just when I get the hang of the day-to-day formula for success, it decides to shake things up. Whether it’s marketing, social media, or content creation, everything’s in a constant state of flux.

The demands of the business, the ever-evolving algorithms, and the myriad of elements to keep up with form a perpetually changing landscape. Acknowledging that nothing is set in stone and understanding that just when you’ve got it figured out, it’s time for another round of adjustments—that’s the key. It’s a continuous process of adaptation, and while it may not be the most straightforward journey, there’s a certain rhythm to it that keeps things interesting.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinejanephotography.com
• Instagram: justinejanemt