Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Scott.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started photography in 2000 when I was a sophomore at Denton High School shooting film on my Canon AE-1 that was made in 1976. Going into my sophomore year in high school, I chose to use my summer break to learn about film photography at the University of Texas at Austin. It was a summer class and competition. I learned a lot during that trip and received a second place on an image to describe Austin.
My classmate asked me to photograph her senior pictures, and this would be the first time I would pose people. I fell in love with this and knew this is what I wanted to do as a career at an early age. I did upgrade to a Pentax and took my portfolio seriously.
My junior year in high school, I learned what rejection felt like fast when I brought my portfolio to a photography studio in Denton. That only made me stronger. I was hired late junior year at a retail photography studio in Grapevine called Studio One to One. I learned posing, the hustle, and bustle of business, sales, finding a solution to problems and becoming a more confident photographer. I stayed with Studio One to One until I got to college. In college, I studied photography at Collin College and North Lake College. I took a photography study abroad trip to Europe and planned to go to school in France and study fashion photography, but my trip got cut short and I returned to the states. Digital was introduced and I worked for Glamour Shots during my sophomore year in college and worked my way to a photography lead.
At this point in knowing the business, I chose to go on my own partnership and started Contemporary Portraits in McKinney. We focused on portraits and weddings for six years. Life changes happened and the company took a turn and I branched off on my own and started Jessica Cernat Photography. I currently use a Canon 5D Mark III camera.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting your company is not easy, but you have to keep focused. The end result will be worth it.
Besides taking beautiful portraits of families, weddings, high school seniors, etc., you have to plan your month out. You need to set your goals and realistic expectations. You have marketing behind it all! I have learned that I can not do this alone and have fantastic people behind the scenes to help my company grow! Partner with stores and create events to build your clientele.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jessica Cernat Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I started Jessica Cernat Photography in 2010 and was originally based in Frisco. My studio is now in Celina.
I focus on the entire lifecycle. I photograph proposals, engagement, bridal, weddings, baby announcements, baby gender reveal parties, live births, newborn and growing families.
I offer beautiful professional prints, framing and metal artwork.
I make sure I set enough time to create some amazing portraits. I have patience with kids that need extra time to warm up or have special needs. I have a close connection with my clients because I get to follow them through all their stages in life. Not only are they clients, we turn into great friends! It’s an amazing reward to see their families grow from a newborn to a senior in high school!
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
The best advice that I can give being in the photography business is a partnership! Who is your ideal client? I work with several boutique stores and I host photography events to gain new clients.
Their are photographers who will let you shoot along side during a wedding or a styled shoot to help enhance your skills. Don’t be shy. If you don’t ask, you shall not receive.
WPPI is a huge annual convention in Las Vegas and is a great way to learn more about photography, the business, new trends.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessicacernat.com
- Phone: 214-449-8426
- Email: jessica@jessicacernat.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica_cernat_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicacernatphotography/?timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=512597917&fref=tag
Image Credit:
Hair and Makeup- Southern Glam, Maternity Gowns: The Photographers Trunk, Pink Dress- Rainey’s Closet, Watermelon Dress- Matilda Jane, Black Jacket- Small Pockets, Dallas
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