**all images in this post copyright: Jaquilyn Shumate**
 

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear.com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

Jaquilyn, I am so lucky to have this series because I get to hear about fantastic photographers like you from readers who want to see you on Women and Business.  You are an amazing person, photographer, and business woman.  Your sincerity and passion about being true to your creative self is so inspiring.  Over the last few weeks I've also been so grateful for your efficiency and quickness with getting your interview to me.  Not only that, I've loved looking at your images, the emotion you see and capture, and the sweet and endearing kindness you have with your clients and anyone else who contacts you.  I wish you the best...especially this week. Thank you so much for being on Women and Business today!

What led you to become a professional photographer?
I have been heavily influenced by art and photography for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I discovered Amelia Lyon's work in 2005 that I realized I could make a living out of doing something I was passionate about. Before her, I thought wedding and portrait photography was cheesy and stale. I just hadn't seen what could be done.

When did you and your husband decide to become a photography team?  
After Travis graduated from college we moved to Tacoma. I decided it was time to start building my business, and I needed his help. He's brilliant at post processing and has always loved photography. We discovered we worked really well as a team! I feel so fortunate.

What's wonderful about working together?
Travis is my other half. His strengths are my weaknesses. When we're on a shoot we bounce ideas off each other and have great chemistry which I believe helps our clients feel more comfortable in front of the camera. We joke a lot and show affection. The clients seem to warm up and can be more natural.

What isn't wonderful about working together?
Sometimes we drive each other crazy. If we both have differing ideas it can be a struggle. It can also be challenging to have a date night or conversation free of business talk. We're always thinking of ways to improve and stretch ourselves, but it is more important to be husband and wife and leave business at the door.

Are you in a retail space or home studio?  What made you decide on the space that you have? (please include pictures)
We have a home studio/work space. Since we mainly shoot on location and live just a few blocks from downtown, it just seems to make more sense to work from home. Our dining room/office has huge windows and hardwood floors, which is so lovely because even on an overcast day (which is frequent) we have so much light. It really is cheery.

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house?  You seem so busy, how do you keep up with all of your editing?
We handle all of the editing at this point, which seems to be working out. Typically I will download the cards and cull. Travis batch edits the raw files then gives them our personal look. He works so hard to maintain the balance between fresh and classic, elegant and natural. I unfortunately don't have the attention span for that. He really balances me out.

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
More than anything we get to know them. Every couple is different, and we recognize that we need to approach them from a different angle. We make jokes and have fun. We like to go out to dinner, or meet at a coffee shop for the client meeting, and really, just become friends with our clients. We are fortunate to have clients that have become some of our closest friends.

Do you have a chart or some kind of system that helps you keep up with all of your photo shoots?  What does it look like?
I use my iCal calendar which is always visible on my screen. I also have a calendar whiteboard on our fridge. We are looking for a better system, but for now, this seems to work.

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?
To women just getting their foot in the door, I would recommend they shoot every day. Every single day. Go for a walk around your neighborhood. Drive around town. Sometimes I would just drive and drive, looking for inspiration and new locations. Create a portfolio you are proud of and only use the BEST. No one cares to see the same image in three different edits or in the same pose. Diversify. Don't be afraid to approach people and ask to take their photograph. Push yourself and don't be afraid to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. That's the only way to grow. You must be confident. If you're not, your client won't have confidence in you. As a woman it can be difficult to not compare yourself and your work to others. But this will destroy you. You can only compare yourself to your very best self. So stick with that. And strive to be the photographer that YOU would hire. There is so much negativity in the world, but we have the power to make it beautiful. Use that power!

I read that you went to art school.  So many photographers are self-taught with very few being formally trained; in what ways do you think art school has been an advantage in the industry?
This is an interesting question actually. I took one photography class and it was in high school. I was a senior, and I had already taken art for three years, so the photo teacher put me in advanced photo. Which in ways was a disadvantage because I had to teach myself how to use the camera. I had my grandfather's Canon AE-1, and it was completely manual. While my classmates were learning how to manipulate their film and using different techniques in the darkroom, I was spending hours before school, lunchtime and after school trying to play catch up. It proved to be a rewarding experience.

In college I took painting, ceramics (I was terrible), art history and other classes. Art school has given me formal knowledge of different styles of art, artists, and media. It taught me that creativity is limitless.

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
I love to ride my bike. When it's warm and sunny out, we love to ride around town or to the farmers market. Running helps me relax, feel healthy and sleep well. We love playing scrabble. (Travis beats me every time!) I used to paint and create mixed media art. One of my goals is to make more time for that creative outlet. We love playing games with our friends. I love to bake. I am on a gluten free diet (not by choice), so I love to find new recipes for cakes, cookies, muffins and much more!

You are friends with quite a few other couples who are photography teams.  How have those relationships formed?  And how have they helped you as a couple and as a business?
We got to know many of them through Twitter. I think the whole photography community has Twitter to thank. We have met some of our dearest friends that way. It's amazing how tight the community is. We're constantly referring people to our friends when we're booked and vice versa. We have photographed some of our photog friends and they have photographed us. This has provided us some amazing experiences. We have learned and grown so much from these relationships. We are so blessed to have amazingly talented and genuine friends.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?
Honestly, I am proud that I am chasing my dream. I have always dreamt big, but had a hard time with follow through. We have created a company that is a mirror image of my personality.

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?
We go on lots of dates. Sometimes it's out to a nice restaurant and a walk around town. Sometimes it's a plate of cookies and milk with Arrested Development in our pajamas. We sleep in on Saturdays when we can and cuddle. He is my very best friend, and I am his. There is no other person on the planet I'd rather spend my time with, let alone forever!

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?
Word of mouth. We have relied so much on friends, family and clients telling their friends, family and clients about our work. And it has worked! We want to give our clients an amazing experience so they will tell everyone they know. We try to be very natural when photographing clients, to give them photos they love. We include the cost of the print rights and digital files in the portrait session fee, so they get what they want. We have always tried to be up front with our clients, which has proved to be a successful way of doing business.

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
Our business and marriage are separate. Completely. Even though my business partner is my spouse, there is a very defined line. We work hard, and we work together. We talk about concerns and establish goals. If something isn't working or there is an issue, we talk until we find a resolution. My marriage will always come before my business. Without fail.

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?
We're definitely not yet at the level we're trying to achieve, but the growth we've seen can most likely be attributed to trusting our instincts, working together as a team, and balancing commissioned work with personal projects that help stretch and inspire us.

What do you think makes you different in the industry?  How did you hone in on that bit of specialness about you?
We are surrounded by many great photographers who each have their own strengths and styles. Our goal is to maintain a strong balance between artistic initiative and strong client relationships. There is something so special about documenting love and the joy that surrounds it, and I hope our joy mirrors that of our clients.

You have a beautiful website and great blog that are seamless in their look.  How did you find a graphic designer, focus on what look you wanted, and know what would be a great look and feel for your business identity?
One of the greatest compliments I get is how our brand perfectly reflects my personality. We worked closely with our designer, <a href="http://www.evanmade.com/">Evan MacDonald</a>, over a long period of time to clearly establish who we are as photographers and people. (This was eased by the fact that Evan and Travis grew up together and have been extremely close since childhood.) We sent him envelopes of material that inspired us. We chose not to look at what other photographers were doing with their branding, but instead what represents us. I feel that our branding and logo reflect our love for vintage style, inviting lines and organic patterns.

What do you do to keep your family strong?
We try to pray together every night. We talk to each other, cook together and spend lots of time together. I think every single one of those things are crucial for a happy marriage.

It seems that you travel quite a bit.  What are your top 5 traveling tips?
1. Always carry trail mix. Having a gluten free diet means I can't eat most of the airport food. When we have a layover and I haven't eaten, trail mix gives me that boost I need to carry on.
2. Never check your camera gear. Carry as much of it as possible with you on the plane.
3. Get to the airport with plenty of time to kill. You can always catch up on editing and/or people watching!
4. Invest in a nice airplane pillow. I can't stay awake on the plane, so I may as well be comfortable.
5. Never fly Delta.

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling overwhelmed is inevitable at times. Exercising helps me clear the brain and prioritize. I like to make to-do lists. I work on accomplishing at least the most crucial things. If there are things I didn't check off, there is always tomorrow. And I'm totally okay with that.

What three products or things help you stay organized?
Haven't quite mastered that one. My computer keeps me pretty organized. I have my folders neatly compartmentalized. A messy desktop drives me crazy! I have a Kelly Moore "Classic" bag -- that thing is amazing! I love that I can keep all my cards, cables and lenses organized, while papers, contracts and my iPad fit perfectly in the back pocket! 

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?
I think we all need to avoid becoming comfortable and complacent in our work. It's easy to give excuses and compare yourself to those around you, but it DOES NOT benefit you.

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?
Maintain their femininity and avoid degrading themselves. Look outside of the industry for inspiration.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?
1. Make time for yourself and your family every single day. They are what matter's most.
2. Shoot for yourself. In order to keep your work fresh and fun for you, you need to have personal projects going. It's crucial to stay alive creatively. It's way too easy for us right-brainers to get in a rut!
3. Get enough sleep.
4. Exercise, pray and meditate.
5. Remember what inspired you to get into the business of photography. For me, it was my love and passion to capture a moment and keep it forever. It will always be a passion of mine whether I am getting a pay check or not.

To view more of Jaquilyn's work:

Website

Blog

**all images in this post copyright: Jaquilyn Shumate**