Meet Jessica Harris | Photographer + Owner of Jess Nicole Creative

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

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I remember sitting in my favorite professor’s office during my Freshman year of college. He was asking me what I wanted to do with my life. No pressure, it was 2008 and I had just turned 18 a few months prior. I remember with complete clarity and seriousness saying that all I knew was that I wanted to do something with people. I wasn’t sure in what capacity—but I knew I wanted to love and serve people.

Maybe that desire to “love + serve people” started for me as a child more, because my parents exemplified this for me and my siblings growing up. My Dad organized annual basketball tournaments, and my Mom regularly planned women’s special events at our church. I was old enough that I have vivid memories of helping, serving, and attending these events while growing up. Honestly, it felt natural and normal to help organize, prepare, and then execute events. It was exhilarating, even!

I had a lot of dreams in college, but I don’t shy away from sharing that photography was not my first love. I didn’t find that spark until 2017. One of my dreams, perhaps influenced by my upbringing, was to own my own Event Planning business. In my Junior year of college, I began working part-time as an event assistant, and eventually, I took on more hours and responsibility. I worked full-time when school wasn’t in session, and I don’t think I could have loved it more!

Life changed drastically for me in 2015 after post-concussion syndrome led to Chronic Migraine. I didn’t have the stamina that I once did, but my heart to serve and love others never changed. I didn’t know it as a child, a teen, or even in college, but I think God was preparing me for this very time in my life.

I am so blessed to plan “mini-events” for every photoshoot. I don’t think the average person truly understands what goes into making beautiful imagery. A photographer doesn’t just “take a picture.” As I started my own photography business I thought that I’d just take a few pictures, edit them, and then share them on social media. I had no idea about the depth and layers of complexity that can come when organizing and running your own business.

I started this business so that I could love and serve others to the best of my ability. Right now, blessing others comes through my photography, and being able to create this way is the most beautiful season of life yet!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Life has a lot to love, but I adore capturing the beauty and uniqueness of those around me the most. There is something so magical about posing a newborn baby—catching their tiniest little features to remember forever—that never grows old for me. Or the joy of bringing an extended family together and capturing generations of love—laugh lines, wrinkles, the antics of toddlers, and couples who adore one another like not a day has passed since they fell in love. I am blessed to connect with others during such special times in their lives.

In the last few years, I’ve been motivated to keep expanding my knowledge and skills around photography to offer more to those who work with me. I’ve met so many new families and friends through what I do! I feel honored to be invited into each child, mother, family, or friend’s journey. As I look through a camera lens, I can see them in a way they’ll never be able to see themselves. I can see the small details that add to the beauty of a face or the silly moments where a person is entirely and truly their authentic self. I love to witness and document it so they can look back to that moment as the years pass.

Services Provided
* I offer a variety of sessions, including but not limited to maternity, newborn, family, engagements, milestones, and graduates.
* Sessions are available in Studio and Outdoors.
* The investment for Standard Sessions begins at $250, while Extended Family Sessions, Graduates + Special Occasions starts at $350
* Each session has an online Gallery to Download and Share your edited High-Resolution images.
* Print Release Form Provided

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting and I wanted to show them the best time, we would be scheduling a visit between May and October- in West Michigan!

I’m a huge foodie, although I am somewhat limited by a gluten intolerance. Regardless, food (and drinks!) will be a large feature in our week-long hang. Check out my list below for a few of my favorites!

For fun, you’d find us exploring at Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (note: my favorite summer concert venue!), Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, and walking nature trails with our pup.

We are only approximately 45 minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan. There are great beach towns to visit like Grand Haven, Saugatuck, Muskegon, and Holland.

We would for sure make a day trip to Grand Haven! We would be renting from the fabulous folks at Grand Haven Boat Rental and cruising on a pontoon in Spring Lake with a packed cooler and a group of friends. Afterward, we’d stop in for some Pronto Pups, walk the pier, and get Norm’s ice cream.

Reference List:
* Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: My favorite summer concert venue! @MeijerGardens 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI.
* Robinette’s Apple Haus: Love this year-round for donuts, cider, and wine tastings! @Robinettesapplehaus 3142 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI.
* The Mitten: Pizza flight. 527 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.
* Roses: Food with a view of Reeds Lake. @Rosesonreedslake 550 Lakeside Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI.
* Bostwick Lake Inn: Best GF fish around! @Bostwicklakeinn 8521 Welding Road NE, Rockford, MI.
* Butchers Union: Meat & Whiskey! @ButchersUnionGR 438 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI.
* Frosty Boy: Regular, Gluten-Free, Vegan, & Non-Dairy ice cream options. Open seasonally (March-October) @FrostyBoyGR 1757 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids, MI.
* Derby Tavern: fry Flight. @thederbytavern 3686 32nd Ave Ste 300, Hudsonville, MI.
* Green Well: The GF Mac + Cheese is amazing! @TheGreenWell 924 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI.
* Papa Chops: Dedicated Gluten Free restaurant. @papachopseatery 2222 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI.
* NonlaBurger: Best burger + shake combo! @nonlaburger 449 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI.
* Grand Haven Boat Rental: Rent a pontoon here! 1211 Jackson St, Grand Haven, MI.
* Pronto Pups: Delicious corn dogs! 313 S Harbor Dr., Grand Haven, MI.
* Norms ice cream: Michigan-Made Ice Cream. 1453 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI.
* The Deck: Music + drinks in the sand! @thedeckmkg 1601 Beach St, Muskegon, MI.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my parents: Tony & Julie Werstein. You have always encouraged me to chase my dreams. Thank you for your support, leading by example, and all of your love. Thank you for how much you’ve done for me. Thank you for so selflessly loving and giving. I am so grateful to have you as my parents!

To my first Communication professor: Mark Bergmooser: if you hadn’t believed in me, I don’t know that I would be where I am today. You have greatly impacted and influenced my life. Thank you for encouraging me prolifically. I chose to pursue my Bachelors in Strategic Communication because of you. Thank you, doesn’t begin to express my appreciation.

When I think about the person who most impacted me and my growth, I immediately think of Lisa Link. She hired me on as a student worker and personally mentored me. Her dedication, direction, and constructive criticism shaped who I am today. I worked with her for nearly 3 years, and during that time I grew tremendously as an individual. I still look back on our time together, 10+ years later, and reflect on lessons I learned (or even Excel formulas she taught me).
To Lisa: You are truly inspirational, and a woman I greatly admire. Thank you for choosing me, for mentoring me, for challenging me, and for shaping me into the woman I am today.

Thank you to my husband: Chris Harris. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Early in our relationship, you saw how Chronic Migraine affected me and my work and jumped in to help. Thank you for endlessly assisting, carrying props and gear, taking behind-the-scenes photos, and making silly faces to get the kiddos to smile at the camera. I am successful because of your love and support.

Special thanks also to my friends: Bree Chilcott, Kandace Gray, Dr. Menusha Arumugam, and Dr. Bailey Tibben. Thank you for supporting me endlessly. Thank you for being among the first people to hire me to do something I love, and for believing in me and encouraging me every step of the way.

To my clients: thank you for choosing me, and continuously coming back! I love growing alongside you! You’ve given me the confidence to do so while capturing your precious moments.

Website: http://jessnicolecreative.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: Jess.Nicole.Creative

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/JessNicoleCreative

Image Credits
All images credit to Jess Nicole Creative