Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Jackson.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was born, I have always been creative. I enjoyed the arts, rather it was drawing, painting, or photography. My grandfather enjoyed photography and one of my favorite pastimes was to look at our family albums and appreciate the creativity that my grandfather embarked in his photography. In college, I studied Graphic Design and one of the classes I decided to take in my program was photography. Immediately after the first day of class, I decided to drop it due to not understanding the technicalities of using a camera. I just knew that I loved taking pictures. Intimidated by the class, I dropped it and didn’t look back. After college, I began blogging about my love of makeup and I took pictures of makeup looks that I created as well as product shots. When it came to blogging, I enjoyed the photography piece alone, but I took all of my photos with my iPhone.
When I graduated with my Master’s in Business Administration, my mother gifted me a DSLR camera, and the intimidation sunk back in. I did not know how to use my camera. I’ve always had the vision to take my blog to the next level by using my professional camera and as time went on, I started teaching myself how to use my camera. After my move to Atlanta and turning my blog into a business, I decided to take photography workshops and it clicked. I was no longer intimidated and was ready to transition into a professional photographer.
I love photography! It is a passion that I never knew that burns so deeply in me. Today, I am still managing my business as a professional makeup artist and photographer and enjoying every minute of it. Some of my work has been featured in Forbes, Money Magazine, Business Insider, Bloomberg, Intuit, Buzzfeed, Voyage ATL, Shoutout ATL, Citybox Media, and more. I am hoping within the next few years, I can finally leave my corporate job and become a full-time entrepreneur.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth, but I wouldn’t want it no other way. I dealt with a lot of struggles from trying to identify which avenue I wanted to take creatively. As a teenager, I wanted to be a hairstylist so where I tried to go to school for cosmetology but was too scared to fully commit to it. In college, I studied graphic design, but due to some bad decisions in my early adulthood, I dropped out of the program in my senior year. I fell into makeup by self-teaching techniques and people started taking notice – I then began my journey as a makeup artist. Many people did not believe in me and pushed the corporate narrative into my adulthood, but I always knew that I would be a business owner and that climbing the corporate ladder was not for me. Today, my makeup and photography business is flourishing and I love what I do! It was my destiny.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional makeup artist and photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. I specialize in makeup applications for special occasions, bridal, lifestyle and branding, media, and television. I also provide personal makeup education where I teach everyday women simple techniques to improve their makeup application. For photography, I specialize in professional headshots, lifestyle portraits, and events. I am also a micro-influencer and I am always open to public relations and brand partnerships.
How do you think about happiness?
Living in my purpose and doing what I love makes me happy. I truly believe that makeup and photography are my ministries and I am so proud to share my gifts with the world. When my clients love their results, it makes me happy and confirms that I am doing what I am supposed to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenniferjartistry.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jenniferjartistry
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferjartistry
Image Credits
Jennifer J. Artistry Belle Rouge Photography Stephanie Briana Photography
