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Posted on March 3, 2011
It’s Thursday, and I feel like it’s starting to go towards Spring/Summer weather finally. Oh wait! That’s what is has been this whole year. We just got to have about 20 days of cold to tease us. The weather would probably be the ultimate reason as to why I feel like I live on allergy medication. Ahhhh….HOWEVER, today is not the day to talk about weather.
It’s Thursday and anyone that follows this blog knows what Thursday means…..
ANOTHER FABULOUS PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
Oh yes, and this talented gal is no exception. She’s funny (I’ve laughed quite a few times reading her interview), totally rocks her camera, and is so stinkin’ nice. She has totally rocked seniors this year, and she has definitely made me want to get into photographing them.
She doesn’t live that far from me either, well, in Louisiana, but hey, that’s not far at all. She is definitely on my list of people I would love to meet. You will love her!
So, without further adieu, meet…..
Jessica VanDerMark – Jessica VanDerMark Photography
Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma and Thibodaux area Photographer
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
The swamps of Louisiana! Spent some wonderful years in So Cal {would LOVE to go back}, a few years in Massachusetts and I’ve been back in Louisiana for the last 4 years.
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
I’m not sure what attracted me to photography, because I’ve been drawn to it for as long as I can remember. Like most photographers, I love the ability to capture and freeze a moment in time. Life moves so fast, now more than ever, it brings me peace to be able to just stop in the moment when looking at an image frozen in time.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
The business side of photography is still new for me. So, I’m not sure I could say that I have a specialty yet, BUT I do know that I would LOVE to make Senior Photography my specialty. I’ve been blessed to have a successful year photographing Seniors and I love it. They are fun, fresh and eager to participate in creating their images. It’s such a big moment in a person’s life and I am so grateful to be a part of capturing it. I love watching them transform from shy kids to rockin’ models by the end of the session. It’s so much fun!
How long have you been a photographer?
I supposed it depends on your definition of photographer. If it’s something you “do”, then less than one year. If it’s something you “are”, then since my first camera in elementary school.
Is it only you with your business, or do you have an assistant?
Only me. Though, the thought of an assistant is marvelous!
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
Though I have not attended any formal schooling, I don’t like the words “self taught” either. I feel like it discredits all of the amazing photographers that have had a hand in my journey. Plus, I’m still learning…don’t think I will ever be finishing learning. It’s part of the appeal of photography to me. Endless possibilities with every session, every image, every location, every lesson, every person you meet.
Morning or night owl?
Pre-children..NIGHT OWL! Post-children, morning! =)
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
I. Have. No. Clue. Lol Seriously, I really don’t know how I would describe my style…perhaps I’m still trying to figure it out!
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
I’ve been with my husband since the day we met 11 years ago. Literally. In fact, he bought me a camera the very first Christmas we celebrated together. It was a 35mm point and shoot! My existing camera was broken and he surprised me with a new one for Christmas! The picture of us is from the night we met…see how special photography is?? It’s a bad, grainy photo…but it’s a photo none-the-less from the night we met. I am so glad to have it and it was all because I never leave my house without a camera in hand! Then there are my amazing children! Brice – 16, Joe – 14, Maddison – 12, Katie Grace -7 and Hayden – 3. Calm down people, I didn’t give birth to all 5. Two of them were a wonderful bonus that came with my husband! =)
This is why you totally crack me up Jessica! The comment about “Calm down people”. Love it. 
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
I would like to do a self portrait of the day project. Because my worst fear is that my kids won’t have any pictures of me to share with their kids, and their kids, and so on and so on…
How do you balance work, and your family?
Balance??? You mean, it’s a real thing?? Oh my…I thought that was just some Cajun French folklore!
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
I use a Shootsac for my sessions and LOVE it! I currently shoot with a 50D that hangs from a Black Rapid strap and LOVE that too! {Hoping to get a Marky Mark soon} My lenses include 50 1.4, 85 1.8 and 70-200 2.8 – Though I can’t imagine giving any of them up, I would have to say I can’t live without my 70-200! It serves me for both sports photography and portrait sessions.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
Gosh, I could think of soooo many people I would love to photograph! But let me see if I can narrow it down.
James Franco Why??? Do you have to ask? Seriously, yes…he is easy to look at, but I think he would be up for anything and that would be so fun.
Natalie Portman…that face is perfection.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
My husband and I have a marketing company, so technically I guess I am something else!
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
I asked him and he said Smart. Thoughtful. Beautiful. Interesting…and then he rambled more words and I told him to follow the rules!
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
Other photographers definitely…their art inspires me to keep pushing myself to see what I can discover.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
Long term goals.. hahahahaha… I don’t know if this is a good quality or a bad quality, but I really don’t have long time goals…I’ve always tended to just live life. I believe if what you are doing today is good and you are doing good by people, your path will take care of itself. My husband is not like that at all and I think it drives him a little crazy! Hee hee
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
I’m not much a blog stalker but I do have some photogs that I LOVE!
Kirk Voclain…incredibly proud that he is from my home town.
Michelle Kane – amazing! If you love color, you will love her!
http://michellekanephotography.com/photoblog/
Kelly Moore – Most people rave about her bags (understandably so) but she also rocks her camera! http://kellymoorephotography.com/index2.php?v=v1#/home/
MarK Eric : http://www.markeric.com/
Blair Phillips : http://www.blairphillipsphotography.com/
Jerry Ghionis : www.jerryghionisphotography.com
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
Bringing my kids to hockey, softball, basketball, cheer….cooking, working, spending time with family…listening to music…whatever I can squeeze in!
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
I can never narrow down anything to only one option. Just not possible for me! I would love to travel to the little town in France that my ancestors are from. I would also love to go to Tuscany…Fiji sounds nice…..Belize wouldn’t be so bad…I could swing a trip to Brazil while I’m at it. Seriously, I have no clue how to pick only one!
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
I think I’m doing it now. I’m in a happy marriage, with great kids doing what I love. What more could I ask for? However, I would love to give back more. I really would like to leave my mark on the world by making someone’s life better as a result of my actions. That would make me feel like I’ve really accomplished something.
What is a quote that means a lot to you?
I love quotes…again, don’t know if I have a favorite. But my mom sent a good one to me today. It’s from a book by one of my grandfather’s favorite authors.
“ There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning. ”
Louis L’Amour (1908–1988) American writer
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
I think I would pick Blair Philips … he seems like he would be so much fun and I would love to do a very non-traditional session with my family!
Recently I had a conversation with Kirk Voclain about how I wanted to go to him for my Senior Portraits, but my mom shot me down and he invited me to his studio this summer to get the session I always wanted! I’m beyond excited about that! What a great guy!
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.)
A military assignment would be amazing. What an honor that would be to capture the men and women of our country who are putting their lives on the line to preserve all that we have.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
Take your time to learn light! I truly believe that nothing else you learn in photography matters if you don’t take the time to learn how to read light. I wish someone would have told that to me. I’m still on my journey to really learning how to read it, how to manipulate it and make it work to my advantage. But with every little nugget I learn and apply, I watch my photography grow.
What magazine could you not live without?
Not much of a magazine reader, but I do get Rangefinder in the mail and look forward to every edition!
Please include some of your favorite images….
Once again, this week I was able to get to know another fabulous photographer. I’m so incredibly grateful to be part of this industry. You meet some FANTASTIC people. I think my husband is also glad I’ve met so many great people, because then he only has to “talk shop” with me sometimes. Right Brett?
Jessica, thank you so much for being our featured photographer. You had me laughing at quite a lot of your replies, just b/c I could almost hear how they would be said. Especially, “Calm down people.” I had a great time getting to know you better, and of course being able to see how you rock your camera. Thanks again.
Well, I’m off for now. Going to meet one of my wonderful friends for a little Round Top Collection date. 
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