Meet Jaime Bugbee

We recently connected with Jaime Bugbee and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaime , really appreciate you opening up about a very personal topic with the hopes that it can help someone out there who might be going through it. What can you share with us about your journey with postpartum depression and how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

After facing the overwhelming challenges that come with new motherhood and experiencing the deep lows of postpartum depression, I made a life-changing decision: to follow a career path that aligned with my passions, allowed me to be more present for my children, and helped others capture the beauty of family connections.

Though it wasn’t an easy road, I was motivated to impact other mothers meaningfully, empowering them to see the beauty in their own experiences. This shift wasn’t just about changing careers and honoring myself and my family.

Through late nights, intentional learning, and a supportive community, I found a way to turn my pain into something purposeful and healing. Photography became a creative outlet and a mission to celebrate motherhood and all its messiness and magic.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a family and branding photographer on the West Coast, I capture the real, raw, and beautiful moments that define people and families. My work is more than just taking photos—it’s about helping people feel seen and valued, especially moms who are often behind the camera instead of in front of it. I believe in showing the beauty in the chaos of motherhood, the laughter, the mess, and the perfectly imperfect moments that make up our lives.

What excites me most about my work is the chance to create an experience for each client, making them feel comfortable and valued. Whether photographing a family by the beach, highlighting a brand story for a small business, or mentoring other photographers, I want people to see their true, authentic selves through my lens. My photography is more than creating beautiful images; it’s about connecting with my clients and celebrating their unique stories.

Recently, I’ve expanded into mentoring and launched new services for family photographers eager to learn how to build their businesses through SEO, blogging, and effective website strategies. I’m also about to launch a workshop on blogging for family photographers designed to help them kickstart their blogs in one productive weekend. This project is especially exciting because it allows me to give back to the community that has supported me and share what’s helped me grow my business into what it is today.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that made the most significant difference in my journey were resilience, the ability to connect deeply with clients, and a commitment to learning SEO and effective marketing. These areas allowed me to build a meaningful and sustainable business, especially as a mom balancing many responsibilities.

1. Resilience: Starting a business as a mom, especially coming out of postpartum depression, wasn’t easy. It took resilience, even when the days were long and progress felt slow. My advice for those early in their journey is to remember that slow progress is still progress. Building a business takes time, and resilience will keep you grounded when challenges arise. Find a supportive community or network that you can lean on and draw encouragement from during tough times.

2. Client Connection: Understanding what clients need, especially moms looking for family photos, became the foundation of my work. I wanted them to feel seen and valued, and this genuine connection helped me stand out. To develop this skill, get to know your clients’ stories, understand their pain points, and ask how you can best serve them. Listening and empathizing are key. When clients feel understood, they’re more likely to trust and recommend you to others.

3. SEO and Marketing Knowledge: Learning SEO and website optimization allowed me to bring in more clients organically and set my business up for growth. For those starting out, I advise investing time in understanding SEO and blogging. Understanding how to reach your ideal clients can significantly impact your success.

By combining resilience, a client-focused approach, and SEO knowledge, you’ll build a business that attracts the right clients and creates lasting connections. Starting small and staying consistent will make a big difference over time.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson has been pivotal in my journey. The book’s message—that small, consistent actions compound over time—helped me shift my mindset. In the early days, when I was juggling a full-time career as a dental hygienist and building my photography business, it reminded me that every small effort mattered. Olson’s emphasis on creating daily habits, like setting goals and taking one small step each day, helped me stay focused and make steady progress.

One of the book’s most impactful lessons is the power of persistence, especially when progress seems invisible. Those small steps can feel insignificant, but they’re actually laying the foundation for meaningful, long-term success. This idea has been instrumental, especially in challenging moments, reminding me that consistency is often the difference between success and giving up.

Alongside this wisdom, my faith has played a crucial role. I prayed and continue to pray throughout my journey, finding strength and guidance in my faith during both the good days and the tough ones.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

My headshot is by Becca Jean Photography. All of the others are my own.

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