Rising Stars: Meet Jessica Ireland

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

Hi Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I love photography. I always have and most certainly always will. I started modeling right after high school and being in front of the camera was exhilarating but I was always intrigued with working behind the camera. The things you can capture are endless. Altering life by holding it still. They are photos that you can look back on and your mind instantly goes back to that exact memory, or you remember a certain scent that was in the air or maybe it takes you back to a song that was playing in the background or a conversation that was happening. Throughout the years, the object in the picture will change but the recollection it contains will not. And although it may be an annoyance to friends and family that I’m constantly taking pictures, they must remember that one day it’s going to be all we have left. I get a pleasant sense of fulfillment helping people step out of their comfort zone. I’ve had clients almost back out on me due to insecurity/nerves but thankfully, they went through with the session and they are now a forever clients. Photographing can truly change one’s life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My photography journey has been very good for me, I must say! But there’s been a few times I wanted to crawl under a rock. I’ve had some funny (not so much at the time) moments. I completed an entire session only to realize there was no memory card in the camera. That was fun to admit to the client. I’ve started a session and had my camera battery die within minutes of shooting and didn’t have my backup batteries. So what did we do? Well, we would charge my battery for 10 min and shoot till it died and repeat the process. Let’s just say lessons learned!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a traveling lifestyle photographer. It took me a little bit to figure out just what type of photographer I wanted to be. I realized weddings, family sessions, kids and pets weren’t my favorite things to shoot and I kept saying yes to sessions I didn’t actually want to do. I wasn’t charging what I was worth and one day, I woke up and decided it was time to stop. It was time to start shooting things that I was truly interested in. And once that happened, my career really started going somewhere! I love to shoot fashion, boudoir and portraits. I mainly shoot for women who need content for their social media. We shoot 2-3 full days which leaves them with 2-3 months worth of content if not more!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you’re just starting out do lots and lots of research. I never took any classes but I was constantly searching on YouTube and following other photographers. I love learning hands on so if you know someone who has been shooting for a while ask them if you can tag along! I also recommend listening to some photography podcasts. I know, sounds super boring but I listened to one that not only made me laugh but it helped me think of things I needed to purchase that I never would have thought of!

Contact Info:

• Email: 505olivephotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/505olivephotography

Image Credits
505 Olive Photography