Meet Jasalyn King DeRyke | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasalyn King DeRyke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasalyn, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Hawthorne, NJ. A typical close knit small town, not far from NYC. My upbringing was a bit different than most. My mother wasn’t around much or at least not attentive. This made my sister and I’s bond stronger, and we were very close to my grandparents and my father. Having a relationship like that with my own mother prepared me for knowing exactly what type of mother I didn’t want to be. Instead everyday I choose the opposite, a loving, encouraging, healthy, constant relationship with my children. Actually, I moved to the Atlanta area to do just that! My sister was already living here. My husband accepted a transfer and my priority was raising my three children.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
How did I get here? My path was a bit different. My first career was in Public Health, while completely different, I focused on senior health and memory often. Then took a first-row seat to all the issues of Dementia and Caregiving myself, when my grandmother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. It was very emotional and draining, I’m sure I was depressed and just going through the motions at times. During this time my oldest daughter was born. Like most photographers this is when I picked up the camera. I wanted to remember every little detail about my daughter. How her face lit up while we blew bubbles in the driveway. How she zoomed her toy plane in the air. Those little baby curls in her bright blonde hair. Photography forced me to find the beauty in the everyday, while still struggling with end-of-life concerns of both grandparents. Photography lifted my spirits immensely and helped me document those special years with my babies. Once those moments are captured in an image you have it forever. Often memory fades too easily as I have seen. That’s how it started.
I became obsessed with all things photography. Eventually, I just knew this was my next career. Soon I took on a ‘photo-a-day’ project. Then I asked neighbors and friends to be my practice subjects. From there I learned how to develop a website and poof Audrey Alexander Photography was born. (named after my first two children)

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, I love when my Jersey friends visit! As a Marietta resident, I love Marietta Square! The food, drinks, culture, architecture and art! It has it all. I also love Blue Ridge as a close retreat to unwind.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I joke, poof, there is no poof. It took a lot of practice, education, online courses (had my share of good and bad ones), equipment, marketing, and PEOPLE. Oh, so many! I could not have done this without my husband’s support. He would say, “Go, try it… now is the time to do it”. He also loved the images I was creating for our family. I ‘borrowed’ my sisters camera that whole first year of AAP- so Thank you Kylah! And my Father-in-law who purchased my first professional camera so I didn’t have to borrow. Ha!

Also, you need the ‘right’ mentors that will support you, online courses can only get you so far. Being a business owner of a business of one, you are always second guessing yourself. Having a mentor and friends in the field has made a huge difference. My go-to girl and mentor is Alyssa Hollis of Alyssa Hollis Photos. She is a rockstar of a mentor in photography and friend. Katya Vilchyk Photography and Design and Carly Laine Photography have also encouraged me.

Drive is crucial. Many photographers come and go because it’s not easy and burnout is a real thing. You need to want it. You generally sacrifice a lot to get here, putting yourself out there, self-doubt, learning the not-so-fun parts of running a business, and TIME. I have worked since I was 14 years old and put myself through college, not tooting my own horn, but I do believe hard work and drive are just ingrained in me due to my circumstances. That drive is part of my life’s successes.

Lastly and number one are the many clients that trusted me to document them. They are what built AAP. YOU are so very valued.

Website: www.audreyalexanderphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audrey.alexander.photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/audreyalexphoto

Image Credits
Personal Image by: Alyssa Hollis Photo