Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo Marie Brown.
Hi Jo Marie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been the historian in my family. You know, the one who always has the camera and waits until everyone eats lunch and then says, “let’s go outside for some pictures”. Everyone moaned and groaned but life happens and family dynamics can change by the day with losing loved ones or welcoming new ones into the world.
We adopted our daughter from birth almost 22 years ago and that was when my love of photography took a different turn. She was my little doll that I could dress up and torture with weekly photo shoots. In the meantime, I started taking photography classes at the University of South Carolina and learning my new DSLR camera. I started volunteering to capture charity events and basically anything I could because having my camera in my hand brought so much joy.
Fast forward 18 years and I now have a thriving photography business and the portrait studio I always desired. I have clients who were high school seniors that I captured and moved on to their engagements, wedding and now multiple babies. This is what I feel is “family” photography. Watching kids grow up from year to year and capturing those memories that their families will cherish for a lifetime.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting in the business, there are a lot of insecurities in such a creative business. I started when social media was just beginning to be a thing and you see all these amazing shots and wonder why can’t every image I take look like that. Not considering that sometimes, its being in the right place at the right time kind of moment. And learning not to measure yourself by what you see other photographers doing but to measure your own growth in the profession from year to year and session to session.
Also, finding support within the industry. I have some amazing friends who are also photographers and while we do compete for business, we also realize there are enough clients for everyone and celebrate their successes along within our own.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love photography as a whole without being kept in a box with just weddings or just family sessions. I adore children’s photography and capturing those sweet moments and expressions but also cry watching couples get married and creating their love story. And all the moments in between.
I am a true to life photographer who wants vivid color images that will still look relevant 50 years from now when its passed down from generation to generation.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Keep learning, training and practicing. For me, it was learning my camera inside and out. Knowing all the functions as well as how to use my settings to create the lighting and atmosphere that I want. Learning off camera lighting was a game changer for me. It completely changed the look and branding of my business. Find support online or with others in the profession and learn together. It creates bonds that can never be broken.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jmbphotographysc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmbphotographysc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMBPhotographySC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jmb-photography-camden?uid=NG_Np1EqJdk93W0mejd0LQ&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
