We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jasmine Lee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jasmine, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
As a competitive gymnast for 13 years, I learned early on how essential confidence and self-esteem are—especially when you’re under pressure. In competitions, I often felt the nerves take over, but I developed mental strategies to stay focused and composed. I’d remind myself, “I’ve trained for this,” and “I can do this,” which helped me trust in my preparation and push through obstacles.
Those same skills have translated into my work as a wedding photographer. Weddings are fast-paced and once-in-a-lifetime events. Having confidence in my abilities allows me to stay calm, think on my feet, and direct people with clarity and assurance, even in chaotic or high-pressure moments.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a wedding photographer for the past 13 years, my journey has taken me around the world—from Paris, Bali, Fiji, Mexico, Seoul, the Virgin Islands, and across my home state of California. But photography wasn’t always part of the plan.
I studied Business and Marketing in college and started my career in San Francisco’s Financial District, working in the corporate world. At the time, photography wasn’t even on my radar. That all changed when my best friend asked me to help photograph a dance competition she was covering. I agreed, mostly out of support for her, and she taught me the basics of how to use a camera.
I truly believe photography was my calling—I just didn’t realize it at first. I was captivated by the movement of the dancers, the emotion, the fleeting moments. Reviewing the photos later that night, we were both stunned by what I had captured. That experience inspired me entirely. I bought my first camera shortly after and dove headfirst into learning everything I could. I started a personal “365 project,” challenging myself to take one photo every day for a year, each one requiring a new skill—whether it was mastering composition, experimenting with long exposure, or using off-camera flash. That project became my personal photography bootcamp and laid the foundation for the career I have today.
Additionally, my background as a competitive gymnast has greatly influenced how I see and capture moments. Gymnastics trained me to recognize peak action and timing. When a gymnast is mid-air at the height of a flip, I instinctively know when to press the shutter. That sense of anticipation and precision has translated directly into how I photograph weddings: capturing split-second emotions, dynamic energy, and intimate moments that might otherwise be missed.
What I love most about wedding photography is that every couple, every love story, and every celebration is completely unique. Each wedding is different, which keeps the work exciting and creatively fulfilling. I thrive on building trust with my clients, helping them feel comfortable in front of the camera, and telling their story in an authentic and artful way.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey as a wedding photographer, there are three key areas that have been essential to my growth and success: business skills, online presence, and communication. Each of these has played a major role in helping me build a sustainable and fulfilling career.
1. Business & Administrative Skills
Coming from a corporate background, one of the most valuable things I brought into my creative career was the ability to run a business. In the creative industry, it’s easy to focus solely on the art, but the truth is—if you want to make a living from it, you need to understand how to manage the backend, too. Bookkeeping, invoicing, contracts, time management, and scheduling are all crucial to keeping things running professionally and efficiently.
2. Building a Strong Online Presence
The majority of my clients find me online, so having a strong web and social media presence has been critical. From designing a clean, easy-to-navigate website to curating a consistent and engaging Instagram feed, I’ve seen firsthand how a polished online presence can attract the right audience and build trust even before we meet in person.
3. Communication & Client Relationships
Clear, thoughtful communication is at the heart of what I do. As wedding photographers, we’re invited into some of the most intimate and emotional moments in people’s lives. Being able to communicate well, manage expectations, and build real trust helps clients feel supported and seen—which ultimately leads to better experiences and stronger results.
For those just starting out, don’t underestimate the power of learning basic business and administrative skills—they’re just as important as your creative talents. Take the time to build an online presence that truly reflects your work and personality, even if it starts small. And finally, focus on developing strong communication habits. Listen well, be responsive, and always aim to create a positive, professional experience for your clients.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal clients are couples who truly value photography—not just as a service, but as an essential part of their wedding story. They understand that their photos will be one of the few lasting pieces from their big day, and they trust me to capture not only how things looked, but how everything felt. These are the couples who appreciate the art of storytelling through imagery and are excited to collaborate creatively.
My photography style is a blend of several elements—timeless portraits, candid moments, photojournalism, and creatively composed shots that reflect each couple’s personality and connection. I love capturing everything from the quiet, intimate moments to the spontaneous laughter, and big celebrations. My approach is intentional yet unobtrusive, allowing the day to unfold naturally while I document the real, raw, and beautiful moments as they happen.
Ultimately, I aim to create a visual narrative that feels authentic to each couple—images that not only look beautiful, but bring them right back to the emotions of the day every time they see them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jasmineleephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasmineleephoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasmineleephotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jasmine-lee-photography-san-francisco-2
Image Credits
Jasmine Lee Photography
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