Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacklyn Wiebe.
Hi Jacklyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Come this November, I’ll have been a full-time photographer for an entire year. I decided to take the leap when my husband was preparing to return home from deployment. He saw how passionate I was about photography and encouraged me to finally take the chance on myself. Without his support, none of this would have been possible.
Before jumping in full-time, I had been doing photography on the side mostly through word of mouth since 2022. For years, I struggled to find a career that felt like the right fit for me. I spent several years working in education and a few in retail, always knowing I wanted a career where I could continue working with people while also feeling fulfilled and free to take time away if needed. Photography ended up being the perfect combination of both.
When I’m not behind the camera, you can usually find me at home testing out new skills, ideas, and editing styles on my husband or our two Saint Bernards, Bear & Honey. And when I’m not doing that, I’m probably dreaming up free community collaborations, planning my next mini-series, or procrastinating on one of the countless DIY projects currently waiting for me in my garage.
Somehow, there’s always a project. And somehow, I always think I have room for one more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The photography itself is the easy part. Meeting new people and watching familiar faces grow and change gives me the excitement I need to bring energy and personality into every session. Once the session is over and my social battery has officially run its course, I can settle in to edit. This is where I get to see which colors work best for each client, bring even more life into their images, and relive all of the heartfelt little moments that happened during their session.
I found it surprisingly easy to build the business itself; finding and building a clientele was the harder part. I’m a big dreamer, so I often found myself making business cards, building my website, or creating social media pages at three in the morning because an idea had suddenly popped into my head. The props and equipment were just as easy to acquire once I let my imagination and my Amazon cart take over.
Once I had the foundation of my business in place, I knew my next focus needed to be growing my clientele. Ads and social media posts are easy enough when it comes to putting your name out there, but actually getting people to respond and book with you is the challenging part. Some months are slow, while others have me wondering if I’ll ever have time to catch my breath. Growing my client list meant making myself as available as possible and putting in the time to build genuine relationships with the people who trusted me with their memories. That can be difficult when you’re also dealing with last-minute cancellations and ghosting. but every genuine client and every relationship I’ve built along the way has made it worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
There’s a saying that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. For me, that couldn’t be more true. My vision for my photography has always been to follow along with people through the different seasons of their lives. I’ve had the privilege of photographing families, graduates, engagements, weddings, maternity sessions, newborns, and so many other meaningful moments.
I take a lot of pride in the relationships I build with my clients. Time and time again, I’ve been told that the experience of working with me feels completely different from other photoshoots they’ve had. I want my clients to feel comfortable, relaxed, and completely themselves in front of my camera. I talk A LOT, and more often than not, I have my clients laughing within the first few minutes; which is exactly how I like it.
I’m also proud of the extra effort I’m able to put into each session. Whether that means creating curated props, coming up with unique ideas, or finding little ways to make a session feel personal and special, I love going above and beyond for my clients. At the end of the day, I’m not just there to take photographs; I want to create an experience and capture memories that my clients will genuinely cherish.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband, who is a hobby landscape photographer, is actually the one who gave me his camera. I had taken photography courses here and there to expand my knowledge, but he was the one who gave me the opportunity to put that knowledge into practice. He patiently let me practice on him, experiment with different techniques, and build confidence behind the camera.
Over the years, my friends and family have also graciously modeled for me countless times, helping me build my first portfolio and giving me the chance to grow as a photographer. They have been some of my biggest supporters, especially during the moments when I’ve questioned whether I should keep going. I’m incredibly grateful for the encouragement, patience, and support I’ve received from my family, friends, and, of course, my amazing clients who have trusted me to capture their special moments.
Pricing:
- $100 Mini Sessions (30 min)
- $175 Full Session (1 hour)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wiebedophotography.mypixieset.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUVNMJwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTVXR2RqT3M0eG1EN1NDMFlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeSr7QLEGh3tHpl-rrbJl3ycdzIbwUfyoBj7FcqS53B0xGrpSNcbvzDHkustE_aem_HXKJAu7oYxnu75fSUSTmNg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiebedophotography?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071458202166
