Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeani Brechbill.
Hi Jeani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for photography started in high school with a 2 year career tech program. I continued that journey to the University of Akron where I received my Bachelors of Fine Art degree. Then I was led to assist different photographers and studios in Cleveland where I met some amazing creatives and mentors. I began to grow my own portfolio and find my niche while shooting personal projects and growing my clientele. As my style of shooting developed I was able to hone in on the type of clients I wanted to reach. Soon I was shooting more and more lifestyle, editorial and portrait content and truly living my dream.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey of a freelancer is full of ups and downs—from slow seasons to times when there’s barely a moment to breathe, from learning the ins and outs of accounting and marketing to keeping up with the latest gear and software. There are tough moments when you wonder if you’ll make it, and others when you’re so immersed in doing what you love that everything else fades away. I believe anything worth loving is worth fighting for, even if the road isn’t always easy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a portrait, editorial, and lifestyle photographer with a business rooted in portraiture—whether that’s capturing professional headshots in the studio, creating environmental portraits for magazines, or photographing a clothing brand deep in the woods. I thrive on working in diverse settings and embracing the unique challenges that come with photographing people. I’m most in my element when I’m outdoors, photographing people in nature—that combination is my absolute dream. Helping people and businesses tell their story and showcase their brand through photos is another passion of mine. Headshots and branding sessions are a great way to bring personality to your brand, build trust with your audience, and add real value to your website and social media presence. I love to be able to help others build upon their dreams and make their visions come to life. I’m known for capturing authentic, natural expressions, and my portfolio reflects that, blending the raw beauty of nature with dark, moody, and emotionally resonant portraits.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t think I’m a huge risk taker generally in my life. I think choosing a freelance life though always has some risk. There’s no full time employer to rely on, there’s not always steady income or consistent jobs. It’s definitely a career that I think is worth the risk because the freedom, joys, creativity and sense of accomplishment are all so worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeanibrechbill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeani_brechbill/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeani-waggoner-011b2a102/
