Meet Jessica Hepp

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

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started with my interest in photography as a very small child. My Grandma had a drawer of pictures in her house that I would look through almost every time I went to her home. I studied the people, learned about relatives that had passed before I was born, was able to see both of my grandparent’s experiences in World War II which were documented in pictures. From there I purchased a point-and-shoot camera as the digital technology was coming along and was gifted my first DSLR camera in 2012 from my mother when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had always wanted a DSLR but had no idea how it worked so a lot of my daughter’s first year of life was documented with love but not a lot of photographic knowledge. I worked for another local photographer in the studio doing sales and social media starting in 2017 and when that studio moved in 2018, I knew that I didn’t want to leave the photography world and wondered if I could do it myself. I started taking more pictures of people beyond my children and investing in education, working, and pushing myself to be a better photographer than I was the day before. I started my own business from there, along the way investing in new equipment and continuing to learn and grow in my art. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. Covid was a huge hiccup in business early on. It was so scary to have made investments in this business and not be able to take on any sessions for a long time. After sessions could resume the planning that it took to do everything I could to keep people safe weighed heavily on me. 

I work full-time in healthcare currently as well and as most people know it has been a challenging couple of years to be in healthcare. I have worked hard on learning how to not pour from an empty cup in the last year and remembering to take time just to be still. I really feel like doing this has energized my soul and given me a chance to connect with people in a different way outside of the realm of illness which has meant so much to me during the pandemic. 

I am a working Mom and balancing this work with raising young children is always a challenge. I feel like I can connect with families especially because I am a mother to young children. Having this business has involved a lot of late nights and pots of coffee! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I was born and raised in Vermilion and graduated from Vermilion High School. After high school, I attended the University of Akron for social work and eventually Lorain County Community College for Nursing. In my business, I specialize in an emotive style of photography. I tend to shy away from the “everyone look at the camera and say cheese” and more on the connection and the little moments. I feel like my background in social work and nursing have helped me to learn how to connect with others. When your kids cry at sessions it doesn’t stress me out and I don’t want it to stress you out either. I have worked with families and people for a long time. I want to talk to you about your life, about your kids, about what matters to you so we can create a session that speaks to who you are and tells your story. 

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love positive uplifting music, podcasts, books. I follow photographer Stormy Solis and have taken some of her online classes. She is amazing and inspiring in the emotive photography world. 

Music; Tori Amos, Jason Mraz, movie soundtracks, 80’s music… really anything goes 

Podcasts; “Is this Really Happening” the stories are so intense that I can focus intently on editing while I listen 

Books; Right now, Tess Whitehurst “You are Magical”, I love the idea of finding magic everywhere… that really speaks to me as a photographer 

Pricing:

• Family sessions are $300 and include pre-session prep and styling assistance and/or use of my client closet

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicaheppphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicaheppphotography
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/jessicahepp.photography

Image Credits
A. Faith Arts