Today we’d like to introduce you to Sommer Jones.
Sommer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
To understand how much value I place on photos you have to know that I was adopted at the age of 7. There are very few pictures I have of myself and my childhood before that, and I think that’s where my love of documenting life stems from. Photos hold so much power and emotion; they hold memories. I started my journey as a photographer in 2021. I was a second-grade teacher at the time, and I enjoyed it, but it always felt like something was missing. When my husband and I found out we were pregnant with our baby girl, Lucy, everything changed. As soon as I had her, I just knew there was no way I was ready to leave her yet. I had always enjoyed taking photos and loved the creative aspect of it, but I never thought I could do it as an actual career. My husband pushed me to believe in myself to take a year off from teaching and to give starting my own business a shot. And bonus- I got to be home with my new baby. If it didn’t work out, we decided that I could always go back to teaching. That first year was the hardest year of my life. The late nights with a newborn that never slept and the overwhelming fear that I wasn’t good enough were tough to say the least. I held on though, and kept going. The joy of capturing people’s memories and telling their story was the spark that had been missing in my life before. I have always loved to read and to hear the stories of others, so I felt like this was my way of telling someone’s story. Photography gave me a passion I had never experienced in my work life before. It gave me the gift of being home with my daughter, and that’s something I will always cherish. You don’t get time back. I found my niche in the photography industry pretty quickly. My husband is a team roper, and that’s where my love for the Western world began. I capture love for Western souls, and I document the good ole’ days. Western weddings have my whole heart! I love the genuine simplicity hard work that the Western culture stands for. Two years later, I now have a thriving photography business. God works in mysterious ways, and I am so grateful he gave me the life I have now.
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?
I started my business after having my daughter. Starting a business and being a new mom was HARD. There were some days I didn’t think I could do this. There were nights that I was up editing until 2 a.m. and then up the rest of the night with the baby. If it weren’t for my husband being a voice of constant support and love, I know that I couldn’t have made it possible. People think that photographers just push a button and their job is done, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There is so much that goes into running a business. This is not a hobby.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer. I specialize in photographing the Western world, western love, life, etc. I have a warm, glowy, western vibe to my photos that sets me apart. I am most proud of my relationships with my clients, who quickly become friends.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think taking risk is worth it- if you have the perseverance to see it through. Risk-taking it great and all, but you have to have the determination to stick it out with things are hard. Risk are only rewarding if you put in the work and believe in yourself. I took a risk by leaving my stable job as a teacher and starting a photography business right after I just had a newborn LOL, so if that’s not risky, I don’t know what is. Risk doesn’t have to be scary, and neither does change. Sometimes, people confuse the two. Decide the life you want and go for it.
Pricing:
- Average wedding cost: $2,700
- Family photos: $450
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sommerjonesphotography.com
- Instagram: sommerjonesphotographyllc
- Facebook: Sommer Jones Photography LLC
Image Credits
Sommer Jones Photography
