Life & Work with Jude Anderson of Downtown Canton Arts District

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

Hi Jude, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My photography journey began in 2014 when a wedding photographer and close friend asked me to assist her. Over the next year or so, she encouraged me to start booking sessions and weddings of my own. (We still work together every chance we get!) At the time, I was a project manager at an advertising agency. The skill sets required for that job (managing budgets, workflows, and client communications) gave me a strong foundation for building a business. LovelyInk Creative officially opened in 2016. 

By 2018, I had built a consistent client base and decided to leave my advertising career to work for myself full-time. I opened my first studio space in 2019 and quickly outgrew it. I found an unfinished space in the Downtown Canton Arts District and worked with the building owner to build out a beautiful, modern industrial space that I love. I now rent my studio to other photographers on an hourly and daily basis. My hope is that others view it as a space that fosters creativity and a passion for growing in their craft. 

Today, my portrait work is bold and colorful (and sometimes a bit quirky, like me). I currently photograph weddings, families, boudoir, and small business branding. While I love too many niches to choose just one, the overall focus of my work is connection to the things you love most. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The majority of my journey has been pretty smooth. I’ve been fortunate to find clients who truly value me and recommend me to others. The guidance and support I’ve been given by mentors and other local creatives is a huge part of the success my business has seen. 

Like most creative small business owners, there are seasons of feast and seasons of famine. Sometimes my editing queue is so full I feel like I don’t have time to answer a text message. There are other weeks when I don’t have a single inquiry! Over the years, I’d like to think I’ve learned to take it in stride. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a portrait photographer. I work in four niches: wedding, family, boudoir, and small business branding. The majority of my new clients come from referrals. Knowing that I’ve photographed someone in a way that makes them want to recommend me to others is such an honor. 

I’m a learner by nature, so I’m always trying to grow in posing, lighting techniques, and editing. While I do have base poses and prompts, each session is unique to the subject. 

What makes you happy?
There are few things more fulfilling than a successful session where both I and the client leave excited. Photography is an opportunity to see yourself differently. It’s an honor being able to make someone see themselves beyond the day-to-day (and often critical) way that we often view ourselves. Helping someone see themselves through loving eyes is a gift. 

In my personal life, my nine-year-old is my greatest joy. We love staying active and creative together. Sometimes that looks like writing stories together and other times it looks like playing in the woods. 

Pricing:

• Wedding Collections begin at $2500
• Boudoir Collections begin at $1800
• Portrait Sessions begin at $400
• Branding Sessions begin at $400

Contact Info:

• Website: lovelyinkcreative.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lovelyinkcreative
• Facebook: facebook.com/LovelyInkCreative

Image Credits
LovelyInk Creative
Jude Anderson