Meet Jane Howard | Photographer

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

Hi Jane, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I don’t know if I’ve taken a lot of risks in my business, although just starting a small business is a huge risk! This past year, I’ve started taking risks artistically, and tried things I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I had to push through some fear, but I think you get to a point in your life or career that you believe taking that risk is way more rewarding and essential than not worrying what other people will think about it. I’ve also seen and experienced that sometimes things that feel like a big risk happen to you unexpectedly. Things like loss, or disappointment, or broken relationships can require risk to move forward. And if you walk through those difficult circumstances towards the goal of healing and not bitterness, you view the world differently as a result. Embracing and not running from those life experiences can change you creatively, even if they feel risky at the time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a photographer that focuses on families and engagements. I try to connect with families in session in a way that is fun and relaxed, but I also take a moment in the session for gratitude. I ask people to tell each other what they are thankful for. I also try to take a moment with the mom. She’s usually the one who booked the session, picked out the outfits, cleared the schedules, and wants this time to be special, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. I always want to acknowledge that fact and give her a moment to breathe and encourage her that this is worth it. I want the session to be fun and have good memories tied to it.

How did I get where I am now professionally? Lots of time, effort and money! Seriously though, trying to be the best in your craft does take a lot of time emotionally, physically and spiritually…and financially. I also learned a ton from taking online classes with professionals who inspire me professionally and creatively. I can see distinct leaps in my work that are directly tied to classes I’ve taken. Also building mentor type relationships with other local photographers has been essential in growing as a business owner. I think there’s a lot of humbleness and self awareness that needs to come with owning your own business. I’m terrible at the business side, but the creative part has gotten stronger and better the past few years. I wish I was great at social media, but I’m not. I wish I was great at writing amazing words about my clients, because I truly do love and appreciate them!

I shoot my sessions from my heart. I want my clients to truly laugh, take deep breaths and be able to appreciate what they have in those moments. I experimented with water session this past summer, and I desperately wanted the women who chose to be in the water to experience a break from their daily lives. A moment of peace and quiet. A moment of gratitude and healing and even moments of frustration and anger to come out in a safe place. So I honestly want to be a safe place for families and women to have their photos taken. I know that sounds ridiculous to be able to do that in an hour long photography session, but I do want to be known as a photographer that slows down with her clients. Let’s take our time, not everything has to be perfect, but when you leave the session, you feel like you were able to take a deep breath.

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?
A week long adventure! We would start with all things Travelers Rest because that’s where I live. Tandem, Bridge City, if it’s a Saturday we would visit Travelers Rest Farmers Market. Visit our local stores on Main Street. Take a walk down the Swamp Rabbit Trail and then head to Furman for a quieter walk around the lake. Downtown Greenville to Reedy River Park and some of our favorite coffee shops, Methodical, Daydrinkers, Village Grind, and our favorite bakery, Rise Bakery. I prefer cooking at home, but if we were to take them out to eat we would actually head to Asheville. Our favorite restaurants are in that area and they include Jerusalem Garden Cafe, Chai Pani, Taco Billy, and OWL Bakery. The rest of the week would be full of hiking our local parks, Paris Mountain, Jones Gap and head up to Dupont Forest, and then the Blue Ridge Parkway for Black Balsam or Max Patch.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I need to thank my husband, Walter. He’s amazing, kind, wonderful and always supportive of my artistic ideas. I would not be who I am as an artist without his support. My friend Carissa Bowser. She’s an amazing artist and such an encouragement for other artists no matter the medium. I’ve loved working with her on projects and she has had a full year of very fun projects. I love cheering her on, and she does the same for me. She is truly a sister to me and I love her dearly. Fun fact, her husband, Jesse, is also an amazing artist and together they have created inspiring murals in Greenville and Travelers Rest.

Website: www.janehowardphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janehphoto/

Image Credits
Jane Howard Photography (all images)