Meet Jasmine Lackey | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine Lackey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Outsiders probably don’t realize everything that goes into photography like time, money, trial and error and so much more. It took me years to get to where I am now in my Photography Business. Investing a lot of money on equipment from cameras, flashes, computers, monitors, memory cards, editing software, contracts, social media marketing and then the countless hours learning how to use all of these things correctly. I also have to know how to work with all different types of people and personality types. I had to go through a lot of complete mess ups, loss of money, and negative experiences. But I always knew this is what I wanted to do so I stuck with it and it was the best decision I could have made. Now I get to make my own hours, set my own prices and be my own boss.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a mix of bold, vibrant and warm photos. I take the time to hand edit each image my client receives in a way that I find beautiful. My sessions are always fun and everyone has a good time. I’m always trying to learn new things because I know growth and the ability to offer more is key to being a successful photographer. I got to where I am today through years of learning in this industry. It’s been a rocky road. I’ve worked with people who weren’t the most agreeable. I’ve undercharged & ran myself ragged for people who went and didn’t speak well about me. Then I started researching all the different aspects of running a photography business. I needed contracts to avoid a lot of the things I’d experienced. I needed to target a specific type of photography, learn it and put my all into it. I needed to work with people I wanted to attract as clients. So that’s what I did. I chose family and portrait sessions. I invested in a specific session I wanted to create to showcase what I can offer. I asked someone to model for me and they backed out at the last minute. I was so worried that I’d wasted money that I put into this. As a last resort I made a post on facebook and my friend actually found a replacement for me. I did the session, it turned out beautifully and a day or two after I posted the images I had a publisher from a magazine contact me. We met, talked and I signed on to do the photography for the cover of a new magazine. My favorite saying is “Everything happens for a reason.” Good, bad, ugly…its all happens for a reason. We may not understand why but there is always a reason. Every trial I’ve had has lead me to where I am today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s a few places we’d visit. One of my favorite places is Hal’s Steakhouse. The food is amazing and the drinks are unmatched. LIPS is definitely a must. The food, drinks and entertainment are off the chain. The best food would be at my fiancé’s mother’s house. They are from Mexico and the food she makes is out of this world. For fun things to do there’s escape rooms and Painting with a twist. We host a lot of get togethers at our house as well. We always cook out, have drinks, listen to music, play card games, jackbox tv games…any game that gets us all interacting with each other.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I owe a huge thank you to my family. My fiancé, Ismael, who always believes in any and every dream I have and his family for being there for literally any and everything. My kids for being the main reason I’m so dedicated to succeed. My dad who has always supported me in my journey. My friends for always being there for advice and venting sessions when needed. Jessica Bailey for being a role model for me. She’s always there for any questions and she’s an inspiration.

And a very special shout out to my brother, Christopher who without I wouldn’t have started this journey in the first place. Chris, you made this possible in the very beginning and have invested in me through out the years. I am where I am today because you believed in me. Thank you.

Website: jasminelackeyphotos.com

Instagram: JasmineLackeyPhotography

Facebook: Jasmine Lackey Photography