Life & Work with Jarrett Timmons of Ann Arbor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrett Timmons

Hi Jarrett, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in a charming tourist town, my life was steeped in creativity. With a pencil in one hand and a notebook in the other, I spent my days sketching, painting, and writing poetry. Art was my first love—it was how I made sense of the world around me. And then, one Christmas, everything changed. I received my first camera, and suddenly, my canvas became the world itself. Every moment, every landscape, and every fleeting expression felt like a masterpiece waiting to be captured.

At the time, I was pursuing a career in the culinary arts, with dreams of becoming a head chef in a bustling New York City restaurant. But life has a funny way of shifting your path when you least expect it. As my hands were busy crafting gourmet dishes, my heart was quietly being pulled toward something else—photography. The allure of storytelling through images became irresistible.

In 2010, I made a bold decision that would change my life forever. I walked into a local wedding photography studio with no formal experience, just a burning passion and an eagerness to learn. To my surprise, they welcomed me in as an intern. While the position was unpaid, the experience I gained was priceless. I spent my days learning the art of editing, shadowing seasoned photographers at weddings, and immersing myself in the world of photography from the ground up. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the craft.

The owner of the studio also taught classes at the local college, and I was fortunate enough to attend them for free. It was in those moments, with a camera in hand and a world of possibilities before me, that I knew this was my true calling.

In 2011, my life took another turn—this time guided by love. A hopeless romantic at heart, I packed up my life and bought a one-way ticket to Michigan, where the woman who had captured my heart was waiting. With a heart full of dreams and a camera ready to capture life’s most beautiful moments, I began planning to open my own wedding photography studio. That’s when Alice Heart Photography was born—a blend of passion, romance, and a desire to preserve life’s most meaningful stories.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh boy, there were challenges—more than I could have ever imagined. When I first started, everything seemed to go wrong. My skills, which I had honed so carefully, suddenly felt like they were slipping through my fingers. The lighting, the backgrounds, and even the sky were completely different in Michigan compared to the picturesque beauty of Charleston, where I had trained. Charleston had this natural charm, with its stunning sunsets over the water and photogenic architecture everywhere you turned. In Michigan, the light didn’t hit the same, the scenery didn’t always cooperate, and I quickly realized I had to adapt fast.

Not only that, but the style of photography I’d mastered didn’t resonate here. Southern staples like bridal portrait sessions, which were so popular in Charleston, weren’t really a thing in Michigan. I felt out of place, unsure of how to apply my skills in this new environment. It was a tough pill to swallow.

There were days I doubted myself, wondering if I had made a mistake moving and if I’d ever break through. I remember calling up one of the photographers I had learned from, pouring my heart out. He told me something that stuck with me: “You’re building something new. New businesses take time. By year three, things will start to fall into place.” His words gave me hope, but those first few years were a grind.

For three long years, I hustled hard. I worked on my portfolio, put my heart into every shoot, and slowly, very slowly, people began to take notice. I started getting more clients each year, but it wasn’t an overnight success by any means. I poured my energy into building up my social media, connecting with people, and collecting reviews. Every email, every post, every conversation was another step toward building trust in my craft.

And then it happened. The breakthrough. One year, I booked 60 weddings. Sixty. Suddenly, I was charging more than I ever had, and my calendar was packed. I had gone from barely scraping by to the point where I had to bring on extra photographers just to keep up with the demand. We started advertising more, expanding the business in ways I hadn’t thought possible.

But that growth didn’t come without challenges either. Scaling a business brings its own set of struggles. Managing a team, maintaining the quality of work, and making sure every couple felt like they were the priority—that was a whole new learning curve. But through every hurdle, I learned to trust the process, adapt when necessary, and never lose sight of why I started: to tell stories through my lens.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When people ask me what I do, it’s always hard to pick just one thing because my work is an even split between wedding photography and boudoir photography. While both are distinct in their own ways, they share a common thread: capturing authentic, intimate moments and celebrating the beauty of human connection.

I specialize in wedding photography that is organic, romantic, and full of life. I want my couples to look back on their wedding day and feel the magic in every shot—the stolen glances, the laughter, and the love that fills the room. I aim to create images that tell the story of a day that’s as unique as the love shared between two people. My style often blends a dreamy, almost ethereal quality with real, candid moments. It’s the kind of photography that takes you back to the exact feeling of the moment when you look at the photos years later.

On the other side, I’ve built a growing boudoir photography career. It’s an art form that’s close to my heart, and it allows me to tap into something bolder and more sensual. Boudoir is about empowerment—it’s about helping people see their own beauty and strength, often in a new way. My boudoir sessions are where the images get a little spicier, but they always remain tasteful and empowering. They’re dark, moody, and intimate, capturing both vulnerability and confidence in a single frame. For many of my clients, it’s an experience of transformation and self-love, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of.

So what sets me apart? I think that’s for you to judge, but I like to believe it’s the care, creativity, and personality I pour into each shoot. I’m not just a photographer—I’m someone who loves stories and creating images that speak to the heart. My clients aren’t just clients, they’re people trusting me to preserve their most meaningful moments. Whether it’s a wedding or a boudoir session, I work hard to create a space where people can feel free to be themselves. That authenticity is what I strive to capture, and I think it shows in the final images.

If I had to sum it up, I’d say my work is a balance of light and shadow—organic and romantic on one side, dark and daring on the other. It’s that contrast that excites me and keeps me pushing the boundaries of my creativity.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Wow, where do I even begin? The saying “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true when it comes to my journey in photography. I’ve been fortunate to have countless mentors, creatives, teachers, and supporters who have cheered me on every step of the way. Each one of them has played an important role in my success, whether by offering guidance, lending me a hand when I needed it, or sending their friends and family my way.

If I were to list everyone, we’d be here for days, but there are definitely a few people who deserve a special mention. The person who truly set me on this path was Gene Ho, a talented photographer out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was my first real mentor, and looking back, I realize just how pivotal his influence was. He not only taught me the technical aspects of photography but also showed me how to approach this craft with heart and passion.

Since then, I’ve been lucky to cross paths with so many other photographers who have offered their advice and support along the way. One person who sticks out is Scott Lee, who, even though he’s no longer in photography, was there for me when I felt lost and unsure about my next steps. I’ll never forget that phone call—his words gave me the encouragement I needed at the time.

But beyond those who taught me, there have been so many clients who believed in me before I even fully believed in myself. They trusted me to capture their most important moments and then told their friends and family about my work, helping my business grow through word of mouth. I owe so much to them. Each referral, each kind word, every single review—it’s all played a huge role in my success.

Above all, my biggest cheerleader has been my wife. She’s been with me through every struggle, every late night, every triumph, and every setback. Her unwavering belief in me and constant support have kept me going when times got tough. Without her, none of this would be possible. She’s been my rock, my sounding board, and my greatest source of encouragement, and I’m incredibly grateful for her.

Lastly, I want to give a big shoutout to everyone who has been a constant cheerleader, whether that’s offering words of encouragement or simply showing up for me. You know who you are, and I’m forever grateful. You’ve allowed me to lean on you when I needed it, and I couldn’t have gotten this far without your belief in me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aliceheartphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliceheartphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceHeartPhotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shadowandlightcollective
• Other: https://becomingfireboudoir.com/