Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Patrick.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I fell in love with photography when I was 17, I took a photo of my grandfather’s rocking chair on a disposable camera one quiet afternoon. When I saw it after it was developed, I realized it was a portrait of his energy. I was instantly hooked.
I went to UT Austin for photojournalism and since I graduated, I have worked on and off on my own business while taking on jobs that I feel would enhance my skill set. I started working in the emergency room to get comfortable with the human experience. During that time, I began to explore the healing arts and found tarot and shamanism.
Through this exploration, I began to I realize that the camera is an extension of your third eye. The Ebb and The Flow is the manifestation of that concept. I developed my business so that I could flow between my photo work and my healing work.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
You know that meme where it says this is what people think success looks like and this is what it really looks like? And then it’s a line that goes up, down, sideways, loops? That’s been my 20s. I have been all over the place. I’ve had so many seemingly unrelated job titles. I’ve left jobs I’ve loved because they wouldn’t allow me to grow my skill set. I’ve left jobs because I had to stand up for myself. I’ve taken risks and it’s been scary but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Please tell us about The Ebb and The Flow.
The Ebb and The Flow is the result of my love of Spirit. Spirit is that energy that picks you up when you think you’ll never stand again. It’s the sign that comes in the form of a feather on the street or an animal that you see or a conversation you have that lets you know that you are on the right path. It’s the life force that gives us purpose and shows us why things happen the way they happen.
I was once told by a mentor while we were driving that I would need to choose between being a photographer or practicing shamanism in order to have a successful photography business. As soon as that statement was made, there was a car crash right in front of us. I knew right then that I absolutely had to build my business on being who I was. I will not compromise my shamanic journey in this life.
The clients who find me are people who love depth. They understand that life is imperfect and focus more on the reality of the moment. When I photograph a wedding, it’s not going to look like it belongs in a magazine but it will bring you back to the emotions you were experiencing that day. It will tell your story with honesty and love.
In terms of the healing work I do it’s hard to explain. I read tarot and it’s the single most influential tool I use in my life. I love sharing it with others and have built a strong clientele of people who come to me when they are looking for direction. I also do soul retrieval, mediumship and a variety of other soul healing work. If you’d like more information about it, you can visit http://www.theebbandtheflow.com/soulhealings.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would do it all exactly the same way. My experiences have made me who I am and I like who that person is and is becoming.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theebbandtheflow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ebb_and_the_flow/
Image Credit:
Kimberly Jurgens
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
