Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Fay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I discovered a passion for preserving photos and special objects at a young age when I would listen to my grandmother talk about her prized scrapbooks. I loved looking at her newspaper clippings, writings, and pictures, and hearing her stories about why each piece was special to her. Due to her influence, I began creating memory boxes, scrapbooks, and photo albums of cards, pictures, and mementos that I held dear.
When I became engaged to my husband, I used Shutterfly to design our engagement photo album. I fell in love with the process of using our pictures to tell the story of the beginning of our relationship and how it progressed to a proposal of marriage. Several family members and friends complimented my work on our engagement photo album, which lead to me creating our ‘save the date’ cards, our wedding invitations, and our thank you notes. At that point, I began to seriously consider how I could turn my passion for telling one’s story using their photos into something that was more than a hobby. I researched ideas and came across an organization named The Photo Managers, formerly known as the Association of Personal Photo Organizers (APPO), and discovered that there was a group of people across the world who were getting paid to organize individuals’ photos, transfer their media to digital, and create unique photo albums for their clients! I joined the organization and am currently a proud member.
I began my business, which was initially named Jessica’s Photo Albums & Gifts in Jan. 2015. Shortly after opening, I answered a Craig’s List advertisement asking for someone to organize a large collection of family photos. My first client was found! I organized my client’s more than 400 printed photos into themed photo albums, archival storage boxes and notebooks. My client’s happiness with my work and the fact that I was hired to complete another project was the boost of confidence that I needed to continue to build my business. In 2020, I changed my business name to Precious Memories: Photo Organization and Preservation to fully illustrate all of the services that I offer to clients. Currently, the name of my business is Picture Yourself Archived. With the help of my husband and my sister, I came up with a more unique and more convenient name. I also wanted the name to tell potential clients what my business offered. My business offers an array of services. I offer digital photo albums, printed photo albums, photo organization services, scrapbook creation, photo archiving services, photo restoration, VHS and various media transfers and photo gifts. I am located in Smyrna, Georgia.
I primarily serve clients in Smyrna and the Metro Atlanta area. However, I have clients who live in different states and am able to provide remote services.
I do not have a physical office, I will meet clients at the local library or at their houses. I am licensed in Cobb County and am insured.
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?
My business journey has not been a smooth road! One of my biggest struggles has been overcoming imposter syndrome. I am working hard to be confident in my talents and abilities not only as a creator but also as a business owner. I am also working on believing that my business and industry is valuable and necessary. Another struggle I have faced has been the illnesses I have dealt with over the last few years, which made it hard for me to be able to properly promote my business and serve my clients. Thankfully, my health has improved significantly and I am now able to devote my energy to Picture Yourself Archived.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I am asked the question, what do I do, I like to tell people that I help clients tell their stories through their photos, media, and memorabilia! My clients come to me because they treasure the memories that have captured on their photos, media, and memorabilia and they realize that their memories are in danger of being lost if they do not archive and preserve them. I remove the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm that my clients have about not having the time, interest, knowledge, or patience to get their collections organized by providing these services for them. My clients know that their memories are just as important to me as they are to them. The favorite aspect of my job is that I have the opportunity to hear stories about my client’s lives and memories. My profession is about making a connection with my clients so that I can create a digital or printed photo album that truly tells their life story or the story of a loved one.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is the times that I went to the beach with my Sister, Dad and Mom. I do not remember a time when I did not love the water, so the beach was always a favorite vacation spot for me. I loved walking along the beach collecting seashells, building with the sand, splashing my sister, and playing in the waves. I also loved using a camera – either my Dad’s old one or my personal one, to take pictures of sights from our vacation. I included these pictures in a journal I brought to document the trip. Water calms me and makes me very happy. I will always treasure those memories.
Contact Info:
- Website: pictureyourselfarchived.com
- Instagram: @pictureyourselfarchived
- Facebook: @pictureyourselfarchived
- Other: Pinterest – @PictureYA
Image Credits
The Photo Managers – TPM logo
