Today we’d like to introduce you to Dezerae Jobe.
Hi Dezerae, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started photography 12 years ago with a dream of building a life and career around something I truly loved. At the time, I was working at a plywood mill and taking on other jobs while building my photography business from the ground up.
I worked incredibly hard to make it happen. I spent years working long shifts, photographing whenever I could, staying up late editing, learning everything on my own, investing what I earned back into my equipment and business, and constantly pushing myself to improve. There was no overnight success and no easy path—I built this through sacrifice, determination, and refusing to give up on what I knew I was capable of creating.
Over time, the dream I had worked so hard for became my full-time career. Today, I specialize in photographing elopements, couples, proposals, and destination weddings throughout Southern Oregon, the Redwoods, and the Oregon Coast. I get to create meaningful experiences for my couples, travel to breathtaking places, and make a living doing something I genuinely love.
Looking back, I am incredibly proud—not only of where my business is today, but of the person I had to become to get here. Photography was never just a side job for me. It was the future I wanted, and I worked relentlessly until I made it my reality.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Building a photography business from the ground up took years of sacrifice, long hours, and a lot of uncertainty. In the beginning, I was working at a plywood mill and taking on other jobs while also trying to grow my business. That often meant working all day, photographing in the evenings or on weekends, and staying up late editing before doing it all over again.
There were financial struggles, self-doubt, exhaustion, and times when I questioned whether I would ever be able to make photography my full-time career. I had to teach myself not only photography, but also marketing, client communication, pricing, contracts, website design, and everything else that comes with running a business. I made mistakes, learned hard lessons, and had to keep adapting as the industry changed.
One of the biggest struggles was continuing to believe in myself before there was any guarantee that it would work. There were many times when quitting would have been easier, but I knew what I wanted and kept pushing forward. Every challenge forced me to grow, both as a photographer and as a business owner.
The road has been difficult, but it has also made me incredibly proud of what I have built. Nothing was handed to me. Every step forward came from hard work, persistence, and refusing to give up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in adventure elopements, intimate weddings, surprise proposals, and couples photography, traveling wherever my clients’ stories take me. While I’m based in Oregon and photograph extensively throughout the Oregon Coast, the Redwoods, and the Pacific Northwest, I love traveling to new destinations and documenting love stories anywhere in the world.
My motto has always been “More Than Just Your Photographer,” because that’s exactly the role I strive to fill. I’m not someone who simply shows up with a camera. I become a guide, planner, problem solver, location scout, timeline creator, and someone my couples can truly rely on throughout the entire experience. From helping choose the perfect location to navigating permits, recommending trusted vendors, and making sure the day flows naturally, I’m there every step of the way.
What I’m most proud of is the reputation I’ve built over the last 12 years. Much of my business comes from referrals and repeat clients, and to me, that’s one of the greatest compliments I could receive. It means people trust me not only with their photographs but with some of the most meaningful moments of their lives.
I believe what sets me apart is that I focus on creating an unforgettable experience, not just beautiful images. I want my couples to feel completely comfortable, present, and free to enjoy the moment while I document it naturally. At the end of the day, I don’t just want my clients to leave with a gallery they love—I want them to leave with memories of an incredible adventure. That’s what “More Than Just Your Photographer” means to me.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is walking around with a film camera in my hands, taking pictures of everything and everyone. There’s actually a photo of me at Disneyland with my siblings, and while everyone else is just enjoying the day, I’m carrying my little camera around. Looking back now, it’s such a fitting picture because even as a child, I was drawn to capturing moments.
I don’t think I realized it then, but photography has always been a part of who I am. Long before it became my career, I simply loved documenting memories. Today, every time I pick up my camera, I still feel that same excitement I did as a kid. The cameras have changed, but my passion for preserving meaningful moments has never faded.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dezeraejobephotography.net/
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/dezeraejobephotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dezeraejobephotography
