Meet Jessie Smith | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessie Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
There are not very many times I say the word “no”…Unless you ask my kids! haha… When opportunities are put in front of me, even ones that seem challenging or scary, most of the time I say “yes” to them. I have learned and am a huge believer that when you take a chance or step out of your comfort zone amazing things happen. I would much rather go through life experiencing/learning from my failures and celebrating my successes than asking myself “what if?”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love love love golden sunlight! There is something stunning about how natural sunlight seeps through trees, around buildings, and hits someone’s hair and skin… When looking at a picture can make someone feel warm, invited, and happy that’s beautiful… I am the photographer for a few local businesses and brands, one of which referred me to this Shoutout – Makeup Junkie Bags… I am so proud and honored to be a part of capturing marketing and product photography for companies like theirs. It is gratifying for me to figure out someone’s brand and style, and to be able to interpret it into an image that represents their company. I truly get excited when I get to photograph seniors… They are so willing to allow me to be creative and have fun with their photoshoots. A senior session is so much more than just a photoshoot or something to mark off a checklist… These young people are ready to end a big part of their life journey and to start something new! I always tell seniors that this is probably the only chance they will ever get to show off who they truly are in their pictures, so to enjoy it and be imaginative! I also want them to leave a session with me feeling beautiful and confident. I am a photographer and love what I do…However I am a wife, and mother of three first… Juggling and keeping my balance is not always easy! On occasion I have had to bring my little ones along for a photoshoot and feed them what I call “gas station snacks” and let them play as much screen time as they want to keep them occupied so I can focus. It is not my proudest mom moment… But it’s balance.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we would go grab pizza at a place in Willis called the Pizza Shack! Family owned and operated – Best pizza and pasta around… Of course we’d go for a boat ride on Lake Conroe over to Margaritaville – that’s an entire day or two worth of fun! If you come to Conroe Tx you have to go dancin at Johnny B. Daltons. We’d visit Pacific Yardhouse – there is usually good live music and great food!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If it were not for my friends and family believing, loving, and supporting me in this business and photography passion of mine I would not be nearly as successful as I am… There is not a group of people in the world quite like what I’ve got in Conroe, Tx. Everyone is so supportive of each other and of small businesses… When I first started seriously considering photography as a career, my friends and family would allow me to practice on them and would refer me to their friends… Haha I still cringe looking back at some of my very first photoshoots and think about how sweet they all were to continue to hire and refer me to others! I am so thankful they did… Now I capture images that I am proud of – memories that I hope bring smiles to my clients faces and that they can cherish forever.

Instagram: @jessiesmithphoto
Facebook: Jessie Smith Photography