Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie O’Donnell.
Jessie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was lucky enough to have grown up with parents that let me explore my creativity freely through art and photography. Growing up in a small town in New Hampshire was the perfect place to be inspired by so many different ideas and nature. After receiving my B.A. in photography, I decided to spread my wings by traveling across the country and then moving to South Florida.
I worked in the hospitality business for years alongside my photography business. Going through a handful of serious health issues, my photography was constantly being put on pause. After overcoming those pauses, I was able to focus fully on my business and clients which helped me shape the business I have today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is life ever a smooth road? Haha! The bumpy road has always been a blessing in disguise and has shaped me into who I am today and my photography. On top of that, learning how to run a business and figuring out CODB is always the non-fun part of being a small business owner.
As a creative artist, I have always struggled with the reality of owning my own business- it is not for the faint of heart, especially in such a saturated market. I am a person who can find humor in everything and with that being said, humor has been one of the major factors that have got me through personal and business struggles.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My photography has advanced into what I love working with most: people, businesses, products, and food. Capturing clients’ personal milestones with their families and helping businesses grow and succeed by masterfully capturing their brand with authentic photography is what makes my job so enjoyable. I create on-brand lifestyle imagery for small businesses, restaurants, bloggers & influencers and capture families through fun and creative sessions.
I’m passionate about our community & partnerships and creating a safe space for people to show up as they are. In addition to that, I also offer boutique school portraits. It’s the modern take on traditional school portraits working on a small-scale intimate experience that is completely customizable to your school’s specific needs, resulting in timeless classic school portraits of each individual student.
I get to know my clients beforehand so each session is unique reflecting their personality or the vibe of their business/product. My portfolio reflects colorful, vibrant, and fun sessions which is honestly an extension of myself. I put my full heart and soul into all the work I do which I feel reflects in every image.
The beach or park are my favorite locations to create sessions with families and children. When it comes to businesses and product photography, the options are endless. Food and restaurant photography breathes fire into my soul. The buzz of the environment, the clanking and yelling on the line, and the artfully plated food or crafted cocktail are the fine details that reflect in my food portfolio.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’m obsessed with hound dogs, hot yoga, anything Egyptian and great haircuts. Guilty pleasures include eating ricotta with a spoon while listening to Italian music and if it’s the fall I’m creating detailed Halloween costumes with makeup and latex. When I’m not shooting, you can find me walking my hounds, at the yoga studio, deep in a DYI project, or traveling with my husband. And quite possibly enjoying wine with friends.
Pricing:
- Family Session fees begin at $220
- Lifestyle Product sessions begin at $400
- Recipe/Recipe Development Sessions begin at $500
- Restaurant/Food Sessions begin at $350
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessieleephotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessielee_photography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessieLeephotography1
