In the era of smartphones and selfie sticks, anyone can be their own photographer. What once required film, chemicals, and a dark room—or a Polaroid at least—has evolved into something far more accessible.
Professional natural light photographer Jessica Cooper doesn’t use her cell phone to take photos, of clients at least, but she doesn’t dismiss the act as trivial either.
“I have thousands of photos in my phone, on my computer, and even in personal yearbooks I’ve made,” Cooper told the Sun. “Each one is a souvenir from my own life. All the happiest moments and milestones in my life have been heavily documented and I can look back through them anytime.”
Cooper’s affinity toward preserving her own memories blossomed into a love of doing the same for others, she said.
“It’s a privilege to be able to both document and be a part of the happiest moments and milestones of someone else’s life,” Cooper said. “It is my absolute favorite thing to photograph people. I feel so lucky to be able to make an income from something I’m passionate about.”
Cooper is based in Santa Maria but offers her services throughout the Central Coast—from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo counties, she said. Cooper specializes in wedding photography and lifestyle portraits, whether they’re senior portraits, graduation photos, headshots, or family photos.
Her collection packages include a print release, unlimited outfit changes, and an online gallery for viewing and ordering.
“When photographing weddings, I like to joke with the brides that ‘I’ll be like your second maid-of-honor,’” Cooper said. “Because I’m there to do whatever my brides need, whether it’s fluffing her gown, checking her make-up, or fixing stray hairs.”
Cooper fell in love with natural light photography during high school after buying her first point-and-shoot camera, she said.
“It was always in my hand, I took it everywhere with me,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many photos I took with that camera, every football game, every bonfire.”
Cooper would persuade some of her friends and family to dress up for spontaneous photo shoots, she said, which helped her realize how much she loved the dynamic.
Although she was more than up to the task, translating her passion into a business had its fair share of tricky moments, she said. Doing what she loves had always been easy for her, but learning the legal lingo of running a business was not as inherent.
When it came time for Cooper to choose a major at Brandman University, she enrolled in the business administration program. Though work and school consume most of her time, Cooper has nothing to complain about, she said.
“Running a business takes a lot of time and hard work, but if it’s what you truly love, it’s worth it,” Cooper said. “It’s as rewarding as it is challenging. Friends and family can be a great support system, but you really have to be your own biggest fan to make it work. You have to be your biggest supporter.”
For more information on Jessica Cooper Photography, visit jessicacooperphoto.com.
Contributor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 6-13, 2017.