We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melissa Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melissa below.
Melissa, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Entrepreneurship can feel incredibly daunting because it inherently involves risk. But that risk can be managed through intention and focus. When I opened my brick-and-mortar business, I took a major leap. While I’m not exactly where I envisioned I’d be when I first started, I’ve come to understand that this journey is about growth and adaptation.
I view my business as a living entity—something that needs constant nourishment and care. I’ve restructured my business three or four times, making small adjustments along the way. As you work within your business, you start to see what’s not working. It’s about being willing to pivot, embrace what does work, and keep refining the process. The key is realizing that the foundation and success of your business rest solely on you, and that understanding this will help minimize the risk.
In the end, the biggest risk you’re taking is on yourself, which is what often makes entrepreneurship so intimidating. But remember, you hold the power over that fear and the risks you face. You get to decide whether to let the fear control you, or to step up and show it who’s really in charge.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I went to school to be a veterinary technician, which I have been for the past 13 years, however about 10 years ago or so I suffered from something called compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue can affect anyone but veterinary professionals are highly subjected to it and is what, I believe, is a main component of the high suicidal rates in the veterinary field.
Through my compassion fatigue I battled with depression that led to suicidal ideation. It was one of the scariest moments in my life as I contemplated and fantasized with the idea of being in an accident. As an outlet to this I picked up a camera for the first time; I found solace in photographing nature and amazing scenes.
As my portfolio grew with nature stills I started to have people ask me to photograph their kids or do family/senior portraits. It was definitely something I did not expect. When I opened my brick and mortar studio, there were a lot of variables and I was still unsure which direction I would go as a photographer. I was still offering any style of session and not being consistent with my editing.
I truly believe the universe brings us to where we are meant to be. My first studio was across from a bakery where I found a friend in the owner. Her and I would have amazing chat sessions and she shaped me further as a business owner and a photographer. It was her that mentioned about how all the women in my photographs were glowing and asked if I ever heard of Boudoir, which I had not. After doing some research on the style of photography I fell in LOVE. (Love is actually an understatement). I became obsessed.
I focused all my time in learning as much as I can about lighting for boudoir, set scenes, posing, lingerie and make up. I invested time, money and energy in fulfilling the lives of my clients to be empowered. Honestly I love considering myself as a women’s empowerment photographer, because Boudoir to me is more than the lingerie and the photos; it’s about the woman in the photos and her story.
I am now in my second studio and cannot believe the journey I had been on to get to it.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I am trying to think of the first time I heard the name Denise Duffield-Thomas.
She is a money mindset coach, business owner, author, mother, wife and podcaster. She is truly an idol for me but I started reading her book “Get Rich, Lucky B****!” and it catapulted me into understanding what mindset truly means. I then binged listened to her podcast “Chill & Prosper” which is highly recommended as well!
She has shaped my thought process with running my business and ultimately my life. Realizing that the thoughts and fears that are holding us back are just stories that we have been telling ourselves over the years; and by repeating these stories in your head you start to believe them to be true.
She’s truly amazing and I can’t recommend her enough even if you don’t own a business. Just for life in general.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I see my reputation as a work in progress, but watching it evolve has been incredibly rewarding. I’m genuinely excited to see how it blossoms fully over time.
I’ve built my business as a platform to help others, which aligns with the core mission of my studio: “To provide a safe space for women to reconnect with themselves.” Through my camera, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing women transform, truly seeing themselves in a new and empowering light. One client even shared that she had to search for her tattoo because she couldn’t believe the beautiful woman in the photos was actually her.
While Boudoir is a significant part of my work, my reach extends beyond that. I’ve hosted self-care events, facilitated meditative workshops, and I’m currently collaborating with Poduty on an Animal Shelter Fundraiser. This is what my reputation is built upon—whether through photography or community projects, I aim to make a positive impact.
At the heart of everything I do is my commitment to spreading light and love. I stay true to my morals, and I strive to be my authentic self in all that I pursue.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melissajackson.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjacksonphotography3?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: Private Women’s VIP Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/EFMjyn2Ks9fKgcCZ/
Podcast:
Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-flip-your-script/id1721234301Audible:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Lets-Flip-Your-Script-Podcast/B0CPYQRW97?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpSpotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1ogGbpNwFtcCppqHvYTHVV?si=9daeb0097538491b
Image Credits
Photos of me are by BridgePerspective
Other images are by Melissa Jackson Photography