How This Portrait Photographer is Adapting Her Business During These Times
Jacquelyn Tierney, self-portrait
Finding a sense of “normal” can be a feat in itself during the best of times. Shifts are happening around us in real-time now. By implication we are being called to be more nimble than ever before. We are all on this together—figuring out how to move our lives and businesses forward as the target moves and changes each day. To help remind you that you are not alone, we’ve asked some women in The Big Whisper community to share how they’re adapting to this ever-evolving “new normal.”
“In some ways I feel like I am starting over because income and offerings have been postponed, canceled and unpredictable. There is definitely financial stress. And, I’m also looking at what can be created and how I can innovate to offer something new and exciting.”
Below, meet Colorado based portrait photographer, Jacquelyn Tierney, whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, O Magazine. Jacquelyn shares with us how the chaos and crisis of this year have strengthened the original intention of her work, the specific ways she’s adapting her photography business during these times, and what’s giving her hope.
What is your entrepreneurial story that’s led to now?
For the past decade I’ve had various side hustles in the creative and sacred healing arts offering graphic design, branding, divination and energy clearing. But in 2016, when my heart landed on photography, I knew this was/is ‘the’ direction I want to pursue full-on.
In 2017, I had my first few clients that were long-time friends of mine with their own businesses, and in 2018 I decided to go full-time.
Life had other plans though, so it’s been a slow build. I had a good two years of healing work to-do after leaving a decade-long abusive relationship in 2017. And, it wasn’t until late 2019 did I feel like my business was beginning to gain consistent momentum.
And then, Covid arrived.
My mission and vision for my photography and photographic offerings has not changed since I started taking portraits in 2016. In fact, the chaos and crisis of this year has strengthened the original intention I had for my work, that is: to offer space and voice for those who don’t feel like they ‘fit-in’ (and don’t want to fit-in) to witness one’s self and journey. I want my photography to inspire dreaming and dreams—and to serve as a reminder of one’s magic and magnitude.
How has your life and business been affected during this time?
In some ways I feel like I am starting over because income and offerings have been postponed, canceled and unpredictable. There is definitely financial stress. And, I’m also looking at what can be created and how I can innovate to offer something new and exciting.
Right now, my focus is on remote work like stock photography, product photography and graphic and brand identity design. I offer book design and formatting behind the scenes -- and I really love it! This revenue stream continues to build while I pivot with my photography services. I’m extremely grateful that I have multiple skills and revenue streams to keep me afloat—and thriving.
How are you adapting?
Going into this year, I knew I wanted to explore stock video and animation, and am therefore, leaning into these remote client services and passive income streams while at home. Virtual shoots are gaining popularity and I’ve found a way to create a more accessible offering (compared to my traditional ones) that allows the client and I to still have an intimate, one-on-one experience and create magnificent art. Though the offerings have shifted, the quality of the art and the experience hasn’t diminished - I think it’s improved! There is more room for and acceptance of experimentation in the work. This has allowed me to grow as an artist and service provider.
What are you focusing on right now?
I’m trying to simplify my offerings and systems right now. I was producing so much, and of varying things, over the past 6-8 months that I’m pretty run down physically. My intention for the next two seasons is to build up a strong stock-videography portfolio and virtually photograph product, and client and personal project Covid-Couture shoots daily while keeping in-person shoots to a minimum. (20% of the profit from the CC shoots are redistributed back to artists in-need!) And of course, I’ll keep my book design revenue a priority too!
What has been a silver lining from all this?
The realization that I’ve done a tremendous amount of healing and mindset work over the past year. The up-leveling has been incremental and I don’t know if I would have the clarity I have now in this chaos without the self-work the past twelve months.
What is something you’ve been mourning?
My dreams that were coming true before Covid hit.
What is something you’ve been motivated to do?
Take better care of my physical health.
What is a way your life and business has actually benefited from this time?
I’ve come up with new and exciting personal creative projects that I don’t think would have had the space to come forth were I in the grind and only focusing on numbers and output.
What is something that’s been inspiring you?
The VOGUE Italia archives—free unlimited use until June 26, 2020.
What is giving you the most hope now?
My creativity.
Learn more about Jacquelyn and view her work here.