Meet Michelle Jackson

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Hi Michelle, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose when I valued the memories of others I can no longer have with me. Those that have past on or memories I wanted to capture for a lifetime. Memories I wanted to share with others, family and friends/pets.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Since I was very young I’ve always had a camera in my hand. I was the kid on the playground with a camera posing kids. I won one of my first contest with an image of my horses snuggling together. I loved capturing moments of my pets, friends and loved ones.

After working in the medical industry for almost 20 years I found myself not wanting to go the same direction human medicine was going. It became more about the dollar and not the patient. I couldn’t stay there with the caring heart I naturally have. Several years before I quit human medicine I had opened MJ’s Photography studio as a part time photographer. I started the company in 2008, I went professional in 2012 after many hours of online and in person classes, business management, sales/marketing for my profession and also mentorship. I took a very part time position in a veterinarian office to keep some income coming in while I moved my business to full time.

In 2010 I photographed my 1st wedding and I was hooked. It remains the largest part of my business today. I also fell in love with empowering women and cancer survivors. I’ve photographed for American Cancer Association and Oregon Cancer Foundation for the last 10 plus years. These are donated sessions to empower and celebrate the cancer survivor of how far they’ve come in their battle.

I really love capturing those moments that celebrates achievements, milestones, love, and empowerment.
Families that are growing, Love/engagements, High school and college grads, boudoir is very personal to the woman that has achieved body positivity.

I knew I would need a team to pull off the large quantity and quality of work I would be producing. In 2014 I added an assistant/professional licensed hair and makeup artist Erin Baker. She is a key part of the business and now we offer hair and makeup to high school and college grads, weddings, boudoir and cancer survivors.

My husband joins me for weddings and is also our drone pilot/photographer and second shooter. His support means everything to me. Over the last 10 years I’ve added other help with Angela in account management/financial and Lauri as our social media director . This helps me focus on the clients and photographing/editing.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Qualities I have is I listen to the clients, wants, needs, and budget. I also have amazing customer service and the ability to work FOR the client.

Areas of knowledge is the I know my gear inside and out and I continue education as this industry changes fast and you have to keep up.

Advice is simple. learn from your mistakes and make it better. Most of all don’t give up.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Challenges are keeping up with the changing industry and learning to “pivot”

I overcome by keeping track of where the wedding industry is headed and keep my business in line with it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Image credits MJ’s Photography LLC

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