Ellen Jackson

These portraits are important to me.

 

It can difficult to take a photo of someone and have him or her love the image. We are all so self-critical; we can't see what other people see. However, if you can capture someone's personality at just the right time--you've struck gold. Taking a photograph that is not just a picture, but a memory, that will encourage others to hold on to those meaningful moments.

 

That is how I fell in love with taking people's photographs.

 

I want to take someone's favorite picture of himself or herself. These photographs are from the past 4 years, all different scenarios.

 

I took Cheer during an Auburn football game.

Laughter comes from an engagement party.

Joy was taken on my very first paid session.

My friend from the park in Cheese! gets me to take her photo every time I see her.

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I have learned something from taking each of these photographs. I learned patience when a client couldn't find a photo they liked (so we reshot them until they did). I learned that the shots you miss aren't meant to be. I learned that communicating with the subject is the most important part of a good photo. Making people feel comfortable and their true selves in front of the camera is a challenge I willingly accept.

 

In the future, I have many plans to continue to use photography as a way of telling unique stories.