Conversations with Jimi Anderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimi Anderson.

Hi Jimi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been interested in photography since I was a kid, but music was always my biggest obsession. I remember using my mom’s film camera to try and photograph house sparrows through my grandma’s bedroom window. But after that, photography went dormant for more than 20 years.

That changed during COVID. At the time, I was managing a big restaurant in downtown Nashville, working 50+ hours a week. Then, suddenly, I was home 100% of the time. I felt the need to reconnect with nature, to have time for myself. I had an old Canon DSLR, borrowed a cheap zoom lens, and took a walk down one of Nashville’s many greenways.

That first photo walk changed everything. I got incredibly lucky and spotted a barred owl. Capturing that moment reignited my love for photography. Even more meaningful was using my camera to help a few kids on the trail spot the owl—showing me how photography can be a bridge between people and the world around them.

That experience shaped how I approach photography today. I try to balance the effort it takes to get the perfect shot with simply being present—whether I’m photographing people or wildlife.

After COVID, I returned to the restaurant industry—it provided stability for my family, but something had shifted. After spending so much time at home with my wife and young kids, it was incredibly difficult to go back to working long hours and being away so much.

One afternoon, when I was really struggling with that feeling, I sat down and made a list of all the skills I had outside of the restaurant industry. Almost immediately, I saw a path forward. Photography wasn’t just something I loved—it was something that could give me the freedom I was craving while also contributing financially to my family.

I realized that by focusing on family photography, I could help other parents capture the fleeting moments of childhood, moments that feel like they pass in the blink of an eye. That clarity gave me the confidence to take the leap, and I haven’t looked back since.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that passion alone isn’t enough—you need adaptability, patience, and a willingness to pivot when things don’t go as planned.

When I first decided to pursue photography, I was convinced that wildlife photography could be a full-time career. I poured time, energy, and money into it, but I quickly realized that making a sustainable living from it—especially in Nashville—was going to be an uphill battle. I didn’t have the following to sell enough prints, and there wasn’t a strong local market for guided wildlife photography trips.

I know I had to pivot to make a photography career work. Instead of chasing a niche with no clients, I started photographing families. I offered free sessions to friends, built a portfolio, and slowly turned it into something sustainable.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the missteps because they taught me resilience. I learned to adapt, to let go of what wasn’t working, and to build something that not only contributes financially to my family but also allows me to be present for them. It wasn’t a straight path, but every detour led me here, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Simply put—if you’re a human with a family, a passion, or a business, I’m here to help you capture it.

My photography is all about documenting the moments that matter. Most of my clients are families—whether they’re celebrating a new baby, capturing the fleeting moments of childhood, or just wanting to freeze time for a little while. I also work with creative professionals, helping them tell their stories through branding photography, headshots, and event coverage.

This year alone, I’ve photographed countless families, shot an all-day recording session at Blackbird Studios, worked with multiple best-selling authors, and provided professional headshots for small businesses and independent professionals.

What sets me apart as a photographer is my adaptability and my steady, calm presence. If your child is having a meltdown, refusing to look at the camera, or just wants to play with rocks—I’m not stressing. I’ll find a way to make it beautiful. You’ll never feel impatience or frustration from me.

We definitely use posing as a starting point, but many of my favorite photos happen in the transitions and in-between moments—those little glances, giggles, or interactions that even the families don’t realize are happening. That’s my superpower: staying calm, being present, and capturing the magic in the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve never had a formal mentor in photography, but organic networking has helped my business tremendously.

Early on, I built relationships by doing free shoots for friends, which not only helped me create a strong portfolio but also led to referrals and connections that turned into paid work. Every session was an opportunity—not just to practice, but to learn how to work with different personalities, handle unpredictable situations, and refine my style.

I also immersed myself in learning. I studied the work of great photographers, not just admiring their images but reverse-engineering their techniques—breaking down lighting, composition, and editing choices to understand why their work stood out. YouTube became one of my biggest resources, along with reading photography books and articles. But nothing replaced hands-on experience. I learned the most from trial and error—figuring out what worked (and what didn’t) by actually doing the work.

Keeping an open mind and being willing to experiment, fail, and iterate has been one of the biggest keys to my growth. Whether it was learning how to get kids to engage naturally in family shoots, troubleshooting lighting in tough conditions, or figuring out how to market myself effectively, every challenge was a lesson. The more I embraced that process, the faster I improved—not just as a photographer, but as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jimiandersonphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jimiandersonphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jimiandersonphotography