Jess Harris shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jess , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I started this business with no foundation, no roadmap, and no guarantees — just a deep desire to create something meaningful. Along the way, I’ve quietly built something solid: a business rooted in resilience, passion, and a commitment to excellence. What most people don’t see are the countless hours, the systems, and the personal battles it took to get here.
Living with chronic pain has forced me to show up differently. It’s shaped the way I work, taught me perseverance, and reminded me that strength isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. Over time, I’ve loosened my grip on chasing flawless images and instead embraced the beauty of authenticity. Sessions are no longer about orchestrating the “perfect” photo, but about capturing real moments that become lasting memories for my clients.
The unseen part I’m most proud of is the strength it’s taken to keep showing up with authenticity. Every challenge has shaped the way I capture stories — not with rigid perfection, but with genuine presence. The gift I hope my clients take away isn’t just photographs, but the experience of being fully seen and celebrated exactly as they are.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jess! I’m a photographer in West Michigan and the creative eye behind Jess Nicole Creative, where I focus on capturing love, life, and littles. I’m all about preserving the in-between moments — the laughter, the snuggles, the details that tell your story. It’s such a joy to turn those fleeting memories into keepsakes you can cherish forever. I just launched my new website, jessnicolecreative.com, and I’d love for you to take a peek!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For me, it’s the relentless chase for perfection. In the early days of my photography, I believed every image had to be flawless — every pose, every detail, every frame. But I’ve realized that perfection leaves no room for the messy, beautiful authenticity that makes each story unique. That pursuit once pushed me to grow, but it no longer serves me. Now, I’m learning to release it and embrace the honesty of real moments — the laughter, the tears, the tender pauses — because those are the pieces that last.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are days when photography feels like the easiest thing in the world—capturing love, laughter, and those fleeting, in-between moments that tell a family’s story. But the truth is, pursuing this passion while living with chronic migraine and fibromyalgia is not easy. Some days my body forces me to slow down in ways I never asked for. There have been moments when I’ve wondered if the weight of it all might make me set my camera down for good.
On those hard days, I’ve learned to give myself an abundance of grace. I create space in my calendar, I let myself cry if I need to, and I allow the pause. Sometimes that pause is just an hour, and sometimes it stretches into tomorrow. But the beautiful thing is—I always get back up. Because no matter how heavy life feels in the moment, my love for telling people’s stories will always be stronger.
This work has taught me that resilience doesn’t look like perfection. It looks like showing up—messy, tired, imperfect—and still finding beauty in the middle of it. If anything, my pain has given me deeper eyes to see joy in others, to honor the small and sacred moments, and to capture them with tenderness. Every gallery I deliver is proof that even in the hard, there is light.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the photography industry is that you have to hustle nonstop to “make it.” We glorify burnout like it’s some badge of honor — late nights glued to editing, double-booking weekends, saying yes to everything and everyone, and pretending exhaustion equals success. It doesn’t.
This lie convinces photographers that if they slow down, if they rest, if they set boundaries, they’ll fall behind. But the truth is, creativity dies in burnout. You cannot pour beauty into your work if you’re running on empty. Hustle culture doesn’t build longevity — it breaks people down and chews them up.
I call BS on that. What actually sustains this work isn’t grinding yourself into the ground — it’s pacing yourself, protecting your joy, and leaving room for life outside of your lens. That’s where the magic lives.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell about me is that I loved deeply and showed up fully — in my art and in my life. That I saw beauty in others, even when they couldn’t see it in themselves. That I created a safe space where people felt celebrated, seen, and held exactly as they were.
I hope they’ll say I wasn’t just a photographer, but a storyteller who honored the sacredness of love, life, and littles. That I left behind not just galleries of images, but tangible reminders of joy, resilience, and connection. And beyond the photos, that I was the kind of friend, wife, daughter, and community member who made people feel lighter just by being with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jessnicolecreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess.nicole.creative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessnicolecreative
