Meet Jessica Hayman of Redondo Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Hayman.

Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It was the summer of 2010 that I took a study abroad trip to Paris and I bought myself a simple point and shoot camera. I fell in love with documenting the experience and the people I was traveling with. I started to feel this intense desire to capture all the moments and beautiful sights and preserve them through photography. I continued my studies and decided to major in photo journalism. I interned at local newspapers, magazine and radio. After graduation, I got a 9-5 working in advertising for an amazing firm. I was still shooting on the weekends and eventually it got to a point where I needed to make a choice, a very big choice and that was to quit my safe office job to pursue a hobby, because at that time, that’s what it was. I was so nervous to tell my parents and peers that this was something I wanted to pursue full time, but I am so blessed to have been met with nothing but support and encouragement. I was working part time as a waitress and nanny to be able to afford all the camera gear, computer equipment etc. Quickly, my business started to build and here I am going on 11 years full time this Fall!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Looking back on this past decade, it really has been a smooth road overall. I think that is because I let things happen organically and took the time to understand where I was at in every point of my career. For example, when I started to find my love for weddings, it was because I was assisting and second shooting for other seasoned photographers. I would get inquiries to shoot weddings on my own, but I would turn them down, because I knew that I was not ready yet. I did not want to set myself up for opportunities I just knew I was not ready for. So when the time came that I was ready to take on weddings, I felt confident to do so. Aside from taking photos, learning how to run a business and how to provided a wonderful client experience is something that takes time and skill to acquire.

Imposter syndrome is something that always creeps in and I don’t think that will ever fully go away. In a time where there is so much talented competition, I have to remind myself that there is room for all of us in this space and the right clients for me will continue to come along, just as long as I stay authentic and true to my brand.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in family, event and wedding photography. I enjoy that I get to be a part of all types of events and milestones which keeps it interesting and exciting. I am known for my use of light, golden hour and those yummy sunset tones. I enjoy when clients say they like my true to color editing. I am proud to see the growth my business has had over the last decade and how my clientele has grown.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
It is so hard to predict how the industry will look with the fast pace changes we are seeing in technology and AI. I am hopeful that the wedding industry will always be irreplaceable will always require human to human connection. I do love seeing that film has made a huge comeback and clients are loving that feeling of nostalgia that film emits. I hope it sticks around and we just continue to see the beautiful connections that only humans can bring during these amazing life milestones.

Pricing:

• Wedding collections begin at $4200
• Portrait sessions begin at $500
• Event coverage begins at $700

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicalynn-photo.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jessicalynn_photo