Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Brogdon.
Jamie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
There is a part of me that has always known I was bound to be an artist. Growing up, I struggled with the left-brain skills most children excel in. However, when It came to any visual or creative endeavor I was able to complete it with ease. This difference in learning caused me a lot of grief growing up from other kids, and I was picked on and made fun of frequently for being artistic and a visual learner. It was almost as if I was ashamed of my skills, and unconsciously downplayed my creative nature for several years as I desired to fit in and connect with people. Once I had passed that phase, I slowly started giving the effort again and regaining my passion for art. There was not an art medium that I didn’t take a liking to, but I enjoyed drawing and painting most. Ironically, I never really had any interest in photography and didn’t even think of it as an art form.
After graduating high school, I started working at a photography studio as an hourly job. At this studio, I learned so many valuable people skills that I had been lacking. The job was 90% customer service/sales and 10% photography. The photos may have been clean and beautiful, but everything was standardized and there was minimal room for genuine creativity. I stayed there for several years as there was something really special about the moment I would show a family their photos that I was drawn to.
After leaving the studio, I decided to start learning more about outdoor photography and lighting. I played around with different styles and niches of photography until I found my own perfect blend for my craft. I officially launched my photography business in 2014, however it was not until 2016 that I really refined my vision into what it is today.
I learned the hard way that being you is so much more valuable than trying to be anyone else.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has most definitely not been smooth, which is not bad nor unexpected. In my opinion, the most growth I experience happens after hard times.
The longest struggle of mine was finding my own voice in a highly competitive field. I was a photographer for 5-6 years before knowing my true vision. In the age of technology, photography is no longer primarily personal. Which has both its perks and downfalls. When my parents were married (25+ years ago) the photos were captured and hung up on the wall or put in an album. They were your cherished memories and there for your enjoyment. Nowadays we snap a photo and immediately broadcast it a billion people, at the click of a button. This photo is now available for the world to see, criticize or marvel at. As amazing as the instant inspiration is, it also formed a lot of questions within myself about how my work ‘should’ look or what I ‘should’ be doing based on another photographer’s success. I had to learn how to shut out that noise, and know that their success is not going to look the same as mine. I am deeply passionate about the kind of photos I strive to create, and that can only come from having a genuine connection to the work. I personally found that knowing who I am and what I care about made it easier to solidify my craft.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jamie Brogdon Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My photography business, Jamie Brogdon Photography was established in 2014. I shoot with a photojournalistic style, and love natural lighting. Specializing in creating and capturing memories that will be looked at for generations to come. Being able to relive a moment with grandma or grandpa, or your baby’s nursery is valuable beyond measure.
The photos are in both digital and print forms, and with clients ordering keepsake albums. The biggest focus is photographing weddings, because I know that is a catalyst moment where two lives become one. It’s amazing to me that it’s not just two individual lives, its two entire families joining together. That’s a lot of people to provide a visual memory for! Each wedding has full day coverage, and 2 photographers to ensure the special moments are all accounted for. I have a team of 3-4 second shooters that are all trained with my vision and style so the work is cohesive and in line with the brand. I have found that couples come back to use my services after the wedding day as well, because they too value capturing life events and moments as they happen.
I take pride in having integrity and a genuine brand. I strongly value peoples time and memories, and I want them to have a perfect fit when it comes to their vendors on their wedding day. Let’s be honest, weddings are expensive because of the amount of time and detail vendors put into your day. Along with that, wedding photography is in line with that. Just because its deemed as expensive does not mean it’s not valuable or worth every penny. I want my clients to know the value in my brand. Their vision and my vision should be aligned so they will receive the most out of my services. I have many times helped potential clients find a photographer that fit them and their needs when I could not provide for them.
When shooting lifestyle, I find it challenging to verbally create a distinction between ‘photojournalism lifestyle’ and ’boutique lifestyle’ to my clients. But this is what sets my photography business apart–is the desire to capture you as genuinely you are. If you do no wear high heels, I would never want you to wear them to a shoot. If you always wear that lime green bracelet on your arm, I want you to have it on. I want to go to places you’ve been, catch you doing things you enjoy doing. I want to create lasting images of who you are, not who the world thinks you should be. When we look back at some of the first photographs taken, while they may have been stiff and standing there blankly, they were captured as they were. A lot of people wore their ‘Sunday best’ clothes, but they actually wore those clothes every Sunday to church. I want it to be all you, and something your kids will look back on and go “That’s so them!”.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am looking forward to these next few months as I am traveling to Minnesota, the Pacific Northwest, Nevada and Utah for my business. I will be photographing couples, mock up elopements and vendors for a destination wedding portion of my business I am launching next year! I thoroughly enjoy traveling to new places and being completely in awe of the beautiful creation.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at 3200+
- Elopements start at 1600+
- Hourly sessions start at 300+
Contact Info:
- Address: 7605 Clover Ln.
- Website: jamiebrogdonphotography.com
- Phone: 8176762204
- Email: brogdonjamie@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiebrogdon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jamie-Brogdon-Photography-105791916155348/
- Other: jamiebrogdonphotography.com/blog
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