Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Lombardi.
Hi Jess, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started learning photography at a young age, probably about second or third grade when my parent’s let us use a couple of their old film cameras they had and a polaroid that we loved to use for our in-home studio shoots. My twin sister and I created a basement studio set up, just like I have now haha, jk mine is a lot nicer than a couple sheets, wigs, and play dresses… we walked around the neighborhood to get some clients and charged them a quarter. Our Mom was NOT happy and we had to return all the money, that not one parent would take back because of “how much fun their kids had!” Back then everything was manual so it was really fun to learn and be surprised when you would develop the film. I took courses in high school and once photography became digital, I took a lot of classes in college as well. I fell out of it for a while because it got to be so expensive and I couldn’t afford the equipment I knew I needed and my dream was put on hold. I worked many retail jobs, server, and eventually Liquor sales… everything in my life had come together but one thing was missing – my passion for photography!!! During the last few years before I had children, I worked part-time doing photoshoots for free the first year to practice being back in the game, then started charging the second year and started building my business. I still have many of the same clients today that I had 7 years ago when I started professionally. I am SO lucky to have the clients that I have – most are friends, long-time, new, acquaintances or word of mouth. I have a very outgoing and silly personality that makes me perfect for family and child/pet photography. Kids love me, and it takes a lot of stress off the parents which is very important for a successful photoshoot, the more natural and fun the clients have the nicer looking the gallery, I don’t JUST do family photography, I do a lot of branding shoots for companies, brands, real estate, and other self-employed boss babes, and guys, too. I LOVE the creative aspect of photography, lighting, learning new tricks and settings, and especially editing. But being able to shoot the same family EVERY year and giving them those memories is what really has my heart tied into it.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Working full-time while trying to create a business nights and weekends was tough. But I was lucky I did it before having kids because that would have been way too difficult. I did it at the perfect time where I was in a job I already liked so I was happy, and now had this awesome creative outlet so I felt like I had it all. I was able to use my income to purchase the gear that I needed, I just had to force myself to take any shoot that I could – so that I could continue to grow and learn. My health and time with friends dwindled – I was so focused on working then trying to build a family which was also a difficult road. Once I had my son it was clear I wanted to stay home with him and GO FOR IT! I left my sales job, (right after buying a new house, and having a child so the loss of income was terrifying. But I managed as much as I could and spent a lot of time promoting myself and doing a lot of mini sessions, weddings, etc. to build my income back up. I think a lot of people don’t understand that a lot of time and money goes into photography – you have to price yourself appropriately to get the clients you want and make enough to live a comfortable life. I have a lot of nights of tears because it’s still hard being a full-time Mom and working full-ish time. I feel split a lot of times and that is really really hard. But I wouldn’t change it for the world!!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Photographer FAMILY
NEWBORN
PET
BRANDING
I’m known for getting kids (and Dad’s!) to share their natural smile and creating special moments between families that they can look back and remember for a lifetime.
What sets me apart is my outgoing, thoughtful personality and dedication to my clients and my work. I have a fast turnaround and spend a lot of time and caretaking and editing each image.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I live in Cape St Claire Annapolis – it is a true hidden gem. We have beaches in our neighborhood that we frequently bike to and spend the day at. It also is great for me because I can do a lot of beach shoots which are my favorite. There isn’t one bad thing I can say about my town. I am living in a dreamland!
Contact Info:
- Email: jesslombardiphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.jesslombardiphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesslombardiphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesslombardiphotography
