Jessica Shepard Photography

Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer

About Me

I have an amazing energetic little girl, a darling hubby, and two cats. We live in the suburbs, just outside Portland. I'm a bit of a geek and can often be found behind my computer. I love nature, especially the beach, but also have an inner Jersey girl in me that comes out in odd ways.

I can not kill bugs, and prefer them to be escorted outside the house when the sneak in. Chocolate, red wine, good beer, pasta of any type... I could live on these foods alone. I love road trips, big cities, and small funky towns. I have driven cross country four times, with trips ranging from five days to two months.

I grew up in New Jersey, just outside NYC. After a couple years of art school in the city, I moved 90 miles north to a small town in the Hudson Valley, where I earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts photography. Little did I know I would spend almost ten years of my life in the small town of New Paltz. Eventually I found my way out west, and have lived between Seattle and Portland for quite some time now.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Behind the photographer

In an earlier post I said that who I am is very much a part of my business. This got me to thinking that maybe I should share a little bit more of me with my readers, and clients. I think ten years ago, people wanted to know that the photographer they were hiring would take excellent photos, and that’s it. I may be wrong since I have not been in this business ten years but it seems to me that our culture has shifted a bit, and one of the main reasons we go to a small business is the person behind it.

A while back, after a haircut, I told my hubby that I needed to find a new hair stylist. He looked a bit confused since I seemed happy enough with the haircut. I explained that I did not enjoy the experience. The cut could be the best ever but if sitting in the chair and chatting with my stylist is not enjoyable then I am not happy. It’s not just about the product, but the experience, and the relationship.

I want my clients to be excited about their photos and have enjoyed all their interactions with me. I get to be a part of very intimate and cherished moments so a connection is important. I think a little personal series of posts is a good way to give clients and potential ones a way to get to know me. Check back soon for the start of my Behind the Photographer series, with a personal post each week.

I’ll start with a personal photo. This was taken along a coastal trail in Yachats, Oregon, just a few minutes walk away from Overleaf Lodge, an incredible hotel.