I strongly dislike this “write about yourself” section of a webpage. I can’t really put myself into words. I tend to ramble….a lot….on a regular basis. Fortunately, the people in my life don’t seem to mind. Anyway, I guess maybe I should start with my experience. I have had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember. I took photography classes through high school and also a few in college, but it was never more than a hobby to me….until 2008. It was in 2008 that I started shadowing a friend who owned a wedding photography business. After a few weddings I realized that photography could become so much more than a hobby for me. I took some more classes. I upgraded my equipment. I turned to my friends and family to help me build a portfolio. And my business was born. Since 2008 I have taught myself more than I could have ever learned from books and classes. I have upgraded my equipment…..many times. And my business has grown into what it is today. Whew…ok, glad that is out of the way….now, moving on the fun stuff.
It has been said that I have a rather big personality. I used to try to contain it. Then I found a home for it. That home is in my work. I bring my big personality with me to every session.
What else can I tell you that you might find interesting? I love children! I have three of my own (and two step children!)….and if you think MY personality is big then you should meet them! I love newborn babies and wobbly toddlers and spirited 3 year olds and silly big kids….I even love teenagers! (I swear!!)
I love my job too! I truly have the best job in the world. I get to do what I love every single day. I go to work and I play! And I get paid for it! Who does that? (Me, that’s who). I find that the best strategy to getting natural portraits of a child is to just play with them. Get down to their level and have a good time. Sometimes this means just talking to them and finding out what their favorite things are. Sometimes it means making funny faces or using my favorite whistle lips to make them laugh. And sometimes, much to my dismay, it means making what my family calls “bathroom noises”. Hey….like I said, I do what works!
The last thing I will tell you about that I adore is families. I love families. I love that no family ever looks quite like another. I love the inside jokes that come with being a part of a family. I love that sometimes Mom does toe touches behind my back while I am capturing the child just to get a smile. I love the moments where everyone forgets the camera and just relaxes. Capturing those REAL interactions are what my job is all about.
My goal for each and every photo session is to make everybody involved happy (though a good screaming baby shot is priceless). Doing that takes time and patience. I encourage everybody to bring their biggest personality. If some people are shy about letting theirs show, don’t worry, I have enough personality to make them comfortable. I can assure you, during my sessions you will never feel rushed or pressured. You will always feel at ease. And you will laugh….possibly at me (which is fine because I laugh at me a lot too). I pride myself on being easy-going and rolling with the punches. I understand that babies cry (and pee….or worse) and that toddlers throw tantrums. I even understand that sometimes teenagers are uncooperative *gasp*. That is all fine with me because I have seen it before and I have ways of taking these situations and turning them into beautiful artwork for you to hang on every wall of your home.
So, if you have a family that laughs loudly (at each other) or kids with spirit and energy and you are looking for a comfortable, happy, patient photographer to write the pages of your life story, I am your girl. I understand life is busy and hectic, but I also know from experience that time flies by way too fast. If you are looking at this page than you already understand the importance of grabbing the special moments before they pass by and are gone forever. I hope you let me help you tell your story.
<3 Jaime