An Inspired Chat with Jackie O’Brien of Central Valley California

Jackie O’Brien shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Jackie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time i felt pure joy.. it usually stems from being behind my lens. Capturing a specific moment, or emotion, or when I create an image, or see it in print, that resonated deeply with my artistic vision of the subject. I feel pure joy every single time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there I’m Jackie O’Brien a mom, wife, and portrait wedding photographer. I fell in love with photography when i was very young, I was 5 years old when my mother gave me my first camera. It was a film camera with a flash bulb on top. From the very first moment that I had a camera in my hands I was hooked and fascinated by the images it captured. I enjoy working with businesses and individuals with a vision.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
My childhood was spent exploring nature which manifested into a passion for landscape photography, capturing the beauty and fragility of the environment. Im a huge observer of human behavior, drawing me into the raw emotions, and stories unfolding in everyday life. I really feel that photography lead me to my ultimate passion.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Getting it wrong. Not always getting it right the first time taught me to work hard. Throughout my professional life as an adult, i learned to value the hard work and dedication. The risks of trying out different styles and techniques is crucial for finding one’s unique photographic fingerprint. Suffering through not having instant gratification taught me some very valuable lessons that my successes never could.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Maya Angelou’s teachings on inspiration emphasize resilience, courage, and the power of human connection. She encouraged embracing life’s challenges with a positive attitude, striving to be the best version of oneself, and making a positive impact on others through kindness and compassion.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would dedicate time to personal projects that deeply resonate with me, visiting Ireland and spending a-lot more time with my husband there. Diving deep into cultures contributing to photography-related organizations could also be a very fulfilling way to spend my remaining time.

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