Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth.
Hi Ruth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to photography wasn’t linear, to say the least. Photography came out of a strong desire to create a space where people feel like they can be seen. I had, in fact, begun in Television Production. I went to Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey, and that’s when I found my love for capturing life and creating photos and videos that will last forever. I never would have guessed those interests would one day bring in six figures.
After high school, I started college with an advantage, because I interned at a local public television station and at different media companies. Montclair State University was also a cornerstone of my path that molded me into a broadcaster and storyteller. I got a job after graduation directing live and taped television shows. While traveling to work on many productions, I was based in Southern Illinois, a completely different world for this young Black girl from Brick City.
Finally, I took the hard step of leaving that job and pursuing my MBA school in Maryland. I lived there for a couple of years before finally putting down roots in Baltimore County, where my family and my business started to grow.
When I opened Annan Production’s doors in 2017, it was just me, a one-woman band, doing it all: videography, photography, editing, social, marketing. There were long nights, steep learning curves, and occasions where it was tempting to lose hope. But I kept showing up. I found my lane in photographing corporate events, headshots, and nonprofit work, spaces that are generally overlooked in terms of dynamic, storytelling visuals.
As we all made our way through these pandemic years, I seized that time to strengthen relationships, perfect my craft, and grow my business. Word of mouth started to spread, and referrals started coming in, and I soon became recognized not only for the quality of my work but also my presence and care in all sessions and events.
I now hire absolutely amazing people to come work with me on some of the largest events in the Washington D.C. area. I have met amazing people that are the actual change-makers of the world. We are blessed to have the opportunity of preserving precious memories for a lifetime. We get to photograph presidents, celebs, teachers, and nonprofit disrupters, we do it all. And it feels amazing to be doing work that has this much impact and scale. I’m also coaching other photographers who want to establish vibrant careers, particularly those who are beginning again or have felt like they’ve plateaued.
It certainly hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been divine, purpose-driven, and joyfully fulfilling. And now, I get to wake up every day doing work that truly matters while helping others do the same.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. There were seasons where I was juggling more than I thought I could carry. Ironically, my business started to really take off right as I stepped into the beautiful and demanding world of motherhood. There were moments when giving up felt like the only and best option. But my community stepped in.
My husband, who is my rock, stood by me. My best friends and family rallied around me and reminded me that this is exactly what I had prayed for. My dreams were unfolding and I just had to keep doing the work. They showed up for me. They blessed me. They became my hands and feet when I was away at events, up late editing, or sending emails at all hours. We were in it together, and that made the load lighter.
I also had to overcome a lot of internal doubts and external noise, especially as a Black woman navigating creative and corporate spaces that didn’t always take me seriously, or felt unfamiliar, even uncomfortable, giving me a shot. These companies invest thousands of dollars into media, often with people who don’t look like me. So I’ve always had to work twice, three times as hard to build trust and nurture relationships. Sometimes it’s the looks, the questions, the tone, but I was built for this. Having a Television Production backgro und exposed me to people from all walks of life and taught me how to manage complex environments with confidence. Those experiences continue to help me in building a client base that keeps coming back.
Another challenge I faced early on was pricing my worth and standing firm in it. Just because I love what I do doesn’t mean I should undercharge or overextend myself. That mindset shift didn’t happen overnight, but it changed everything. I have learned that companies and people will pay you for your expertise. You just have to believe in yourself first!
Finally, the pandemic; a time when so much was uncertain and lives were vanishing in an instant. It was in that darkness, I felt like God was rebirthing me. I found strength in the stillness and clarity in the quiet. Rather than shrinking, I leaned in. I refined my systems, poured into client relationships, and gave my craft everything I had. Every obstacle became a lesson. And every lesson helped shape the businesswoman and creative I am today.
I have always had just a vision and my cam eras an d that’s still what carries me —vision, faith, and the work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Annan Productions?
I want people to know that Annan Productions is a media company rooted in excellence, diversity, and purpose. We specialize in corporate event photography, stunning headshots, and videography. Our clients range from mission-driven organizations to Fortune 500 companies, and what we’re known for is the experience we create—not just the images.
I’m proud to say we bring more than just a camera to an event, we bring intention, professionalism, and care. Whether it’s capturing a keynote speaker mid-delivery, a CEO’s headshot that actually feels like them, or an activist being honored for their work, we approach every project with the same commitment to honoring the story behind the image.
What sets us apart is our ability to merge artistry with efficiency. We move with clarity and calm in high-pressure environments, while still delivering vibrant, intentional work that people actually connect with. We’re often told that working with us feels easy, and that the images feel “alive and profound.” That’s not by accident, it’s what we build everything around.
I’m most proud of how far the brand has come, from a one-woman show to a growing team of photographers and collaborators covering major conferences, panels, summits, and campaigns across the United States and beyond. We’ve photographed everyone from presidents and celebrities to educators and nonprofit leaders, and every time, the goal is the same: make people feel seen.
For readers who may not know us yet, I want them to know we don’t just take pictures, we capture transformative moments that will live on forever! We offer photography coverage for events, professional headshots, videography, photobooth services, and even consulting for creatives who want to turn their passion into profit.
Annan Productions is where storytelling meets strategy, and every image is a part of a larger mission.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is from those hot summer nights in North Newark, New Jersey. My siblings and I would be cooped up in our bunkbeds, the window cracked open, and one of those vintage white ’90s box fans blowing directly in our faces. We’d fall asleep to the sounds of TEENick playing in the background—All That, As Told by Ginger, Taina, The Brothers García, The Amanda Show, Kenan & Kel.
The simplicity of those nights will forever be etched in my soul! Just us, the fan humming, and the glow of the TV lighting up our little world. I’ll never forget that feeling of safety, laughter, and togetherness. That’s got to be one of my absolute favorite memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annanproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annanproductions/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthjorge/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/annanproductions
