Today, we’d like to introduce you to Juliette Beckham.
Hi Juliette, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My journey started at such a young age – I really don’t remember a time when I wasn’t taking pictures! While growing up – I had a father who loved photography and a mother who loved supporting my craft which made being an artsy kid a lot easier than it could have been.
I’ve photographed pretty much everything under the sun, but in 2014, I narrowed it down to just “Seniors, Families, and Love Birds,” as I’d like to call it. I had family and friends who let me take their photos, a sister who let me take her high school senior photos, and lots of other small opportunities arose that helped jump-start and shape my portfolio – so when I started turning my biggest passion/hobby into my full-time career, I knew I had a good community or village of people to support and love on me! I then started to venture out into photographing weddings, and that’s when I KNEW where my heart belonged in this industry.
Gosh, being a part of all the monumental behind-the-scene moments of someone’s wedding day is just… phew, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! Being a photographer has always been near and dear to my heart, but when I realized where my true pride and joy came from (photographing weddings, love stories, and happy humans), I knew I had chosen the right career path.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, no. I mean, don’t get me wrong – being a photographer is AMAZING, but I have to add this little part… being a YOUNG photographer in the industry has not always been the easiest. Thankfully,
I’m twenty-six now, so my age has become a lot more accepted, but goodness gracious… imagine being a fourteen-year-old trying to convince you she’s got what it takes to photograph your BIGGEST moments. It was challenging figuring out how to find ways to get plugged in with other local photographers or find where I belonged.
The age I was when I first started out didn’t allow me access to travel the world to attend workshops or have other people in my community that related to my struggles – which was hard because it felt REALLY LONELY at times. But then I attended a local workshop called “Thrive” in 2016 that totally transformed my way of thinking, and I just put myself out there for the world to see. I didn’t let age stop me, and I didn’t let my passion burn out because of fear – instead… I took it and ran into the fire with pure confidence that I was going to make it in the industry no matter how old I was.
Now that I’ve grown up a little (haha) attended college for a photography degree, and have truly mastered what it takes to succeed in my profession – this job has gotten a lot easier. I have industry friends who have been there for me through thick and thin, as well as clients who come back to me for almost all of their big life events, and for that, I will forever be grateful. My people…are my heart. Being a photographer is my heart.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My “why?” Being the one who takes THE photo is the most rewarding part – the photos your grandchildren are going to look back on together when they want to admire their grandparent’s wedding photos, the photos your parents are going to hang on their walls for years to come because they want to display their family everywhere.
The photos you’re going to share on wedding anniversaries and “just because” posts, the photos your kids are going to cherish most because they’ll see just how much their family members love each other, the photos that will always hold a special meaning and a special moment in time that won’t ever be replaced or redone.
Even with the title “Photographer,” it sometimes feels like I’m also a coordinator/honorary bridesmaid on wedding days. There are so many tasks guests and sometimes even family members don’t see behind the scenes because there’s always help being needed or just a hand to hold when the pre-ceremony jitters begin. I’ve shed tears with brides, held hands with grandmothers as they sit and watch their grandchildren dance around on the dance floor, and run across the street in Atlanta traffic, trying to make sure the exit car driver knows where/when to park.
I’ve led in the bridal party during a ceremony and told each one when to walk down the aisle, etc. There’s so much more I could mention because things happen, and that’s completely normal on a wedding day (or really ANY day), so I will wear all the badges because I truly do feel honored to do it all!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Oh goodness, I am SO glad I was born into the generation that has great technology. There are so many useful/helpful tools out there for us creatives to use, and I couldn’t be more excited to share what helps me and excites me every day!
When it comes to apps, SCRL/Splice/Canva might be my favorite ones to use (ever). SCRL helps me create the perfect Instagram carousel posts to show off my portfolio, and it also helps me put together interactive stories that keep my followers intrigued. Splice is a GREAT app that helps put together reels or short films featuring ‘behind the scenes’ shots (without changing the video quality – which is… amazing). Canva is by far the best app and online platform because of how functional it is for everyone involved in the industry.
It can be used for a bride’s invitation suite design, a bachelor weekend itinerary layout, a wedding day timeline template for photographers/vendors, receipts, social media marketing features, and SO MUCH more. It’s truly the best.
Books? Definitely a forgotten item of need when there’s so much online presence nowadays, but I will ALWAYS support an educational form of literature! Business-wise, I haven’t really read any photography books or things like that – BUT I feel like as a creative in a very stressful/tedious environment sometimes…it’s great to also have our minds at ease and our hearts content so we can best serve others.
For that, I have a few recommendations. “Building a Non-Anxious Life” by John Delony / “Unclutter Your Soul: Overcome What Overwhelms You” by Trina McNeilly / “Find Your People” by Jennie Allen / “Own Your Everyday” by Jordan Lee Dooley / “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table” by Louie Giglio / and “Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life” by Henry Cloud are your best bets!! I know that there were A LOT of book names, but they are all so refreshing and such good reads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jettpics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jett.photography/
Image Credits
Jett Photography
