Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeri Ann Beckworth.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
At 18 years old, I found myself outside a lot taking pictures with my extremely slow pocket camera. It was a great way for me to unwind. I was taking so many photos that my now father-in-law mentioned I should invest in a real camera. He believed I could make a career out of it. With my husband’s help in the research department, I invested in my very first camera. When it came in, I was completely intimidated by it. I had zero idea how to work it or what all of the settings were. I spent my first year doing free shoots or extremely low-cost shoots so I could learn. As the years went on, I got better and better.
Like most photographers, I hit a low point in my work and felt like I wasn’t progressing anymore. It was very frustrating not to be able to accurately document what was in my head. I made friends with another local photographer, Andrea, who would go on shoots with me. We turned the frustration into fun and I learned a lot from her. It was at that point in time that my work finally started turning around. Within a few years, I was one of the most used wedding photographers in my area. I worked a full-time job and spent every other minute doing photography. It became my passion, my obsession. I met so many people and have been so many places. I don’t identify as any one thing when it comes to my work. I shoot weddings, I photograph families, I love seniors, boudoir, portraits – all of it! Natural light is my favorite and working in smaller groups of people is where I find myself most creative.
Thirteen years in the business and I’m finally proud of where I’ve come. In the most recent years, my family has grown. I brought a beautiful, lively little boy into the world. I also landed a dream job working for Augusta Plastic Surgery as a Medical Assistant AND…..photographer! I am fulfilled day in and day out taking care of patients and being part of the process that helps them feel confident in their skin. The physicians I work for are truly top of the line and make coming to work painless and fun. I decided to take a step back from my work a little and enjoy life and my family a bit more. Time goes by too quickly and is too precious to give up my weekends in the amounts I was giving pre-baby. But I’ve always got my camera in hand ready when I get calls. I’m truly thankful for photography. I’ve met the most amazing people and befriended the greatest of friends. It’s more than taking photos – it has given me so much more than I could ever put into words. I’m just truly thankful.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a photographer based out of Augusta, GA – home of the Master’s golf tournament! I capture the most intimate and precious moments and am able to give my clients a lifetime of memories. I find that lifestyle is one of my favorite settings – it allows everyone to be real and allows me to document their precious times in a documentary style approach. My inspiration is always my client. I don’t only capture the good – I capture the sad times too. I’ve connected with people through loss, divorce, marriage, proposals, senior portraits, cancer, etc. There’s always something unique about each person and I find my inspiration through them.
Through their trials and their good times. I try to give myself and my art when something truly touches my heart – it’s been my way of giving back at times. People are inspirational – and I have the extreme privilege of capturing them. My hope is that I will always grow. That I will always find peace in my work. That I will always be generous and give back to my community, who has kept me extremely busy for 13 solid years. Everyone should know that it isn’t just a job for me. It is a passion and it’s something I’ve always been hard on myself for. I am my own worst critic and I always strive to achieve perfection on the next level. But mostly, I want everyone to know where my heart is when I offer my services. It is always on my clients no matter what stage of life they are in.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I think given everything that is happening in the world today, our jobs as photographers are even more important. We are one of the few that are able to document what is happening in our world in a way that no other artist is able to capture. We are able to show you conflict, resolution, happiness, tears, poverty, depression, starvation, politics – everything current and past of the world we know. We capture things as they happen in the moment and have the ability to show it the way we see it.
Our art is easily shared on social media and we are able to tell stories through photographs. We have the ability to bring communities together by touching on sensitive subjects. Through our art, we can either make current events a good thing or a bad thing. I choose to try to bring positivity in every situation I’ve ever faced/will ever face. I try to use the talent that God gave me to tell stories people need to hear and work on projects that fulfill that of my soul and others. I can’t say that my art is personally affected in any way that ties to any sort of events or issues. If anything, my art is a blessing for all of the reasons stated above.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be found on my website www.jeriannphoto.com, my facebook www.facebook.com/jeriannphoto and on my personal page Jeri Ann Beckworth.
People can support my work by messaging me on either my website or my business facebook page to schedule their photoshoots.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jeriannphoto.com
- Phone: 706-993-7221
- Email: photographybyja@hotmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jeriannphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeriannphoto
Image Credit:
Headshot: Shelby Chamblee
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
