I’m thrilled to announce my feature in Bokeh Magazine this month. It’s an in-depth interview/Q&A, along with a number of my photos, including Dallas newborn photography, maternity photography, child photos, and a photo from a commercial shoot of Xuan for her new album, Have Some Fun! on Palo Santo Records.
I’ve transcribed the interview and included images of the magazine layout below. I’m so pleased with how this Bokeh piece turned out.
Attention to Detail: Jayme Okerblom
By Eric Lin
Q. How did you get into photography?
A. I was really into painting growing up, and while in college for fine arts, I took several classes in other mediums to broaden my skillset, and photography was one of those. I took to it immediately as it allowed me to get the imagery in my head out on paper quickly — at least a lot faster than with oil painting.
Q. What was the journey like transitioning from being a photography enthusiast to a photography professional?
A. It was definitely not a straight line — there were a lot of detours. I graduated with a fine arts degree and went on to graduate school without much of a plan — I just knew I wanted to learn more about photography. In my twenties, I had an importing business out of Asia importing furniture and handicrafts that allowed me to do a lot of traveling. My ultimate dream was to become a photojournalist. I did some shooting for some hotels and businesses in Asia and even some surf photography but wasn’t in the position to pursue much else.
After that, I worked as a programmer for several years for a big dotcom until I got laid off. It wasn’t until I was freelancing that I turned back to photography as a career. I had been doing it for fun all along but when a few people started asking me to photograph their kids I realized that I had a knack for portraits and that I was also really good with children.
Q. Were there people who didn’t believe in your passion or photography endeavors?
A. Not really. My parents were rightfully concerned about me getting a degree in fine art. I am sure there were times when they thought I would end up becoming a puppeteer or something. But other than that nobody really tried to talk me out of it.
Q. Did you have mentors or any formal education in photography?
A. Yes, I had one great photography teacher in college who was a working fine art photographer. She saw something in me and really encouraged me to pursue photography.
Q. How did you start “Miette Photography”?
A. As I mentioned, I had been laid off as a programmer and just started doing portraits of friends’ kids on the side while I freelanced in web design. I spent a couple of years being very popular but not particularly financially successful, so I gave myself a two-year deadline to turn my business around and make it a financial success, or I would move on to something else. Almost exactly two years later I had increased my income by ten times.
Q. What is the main industry for “Miette Photography”?
A. Maternity and newborn portraits are what I specialize in, but I do all kinds of portraits including commercial and even band photography.
Q. What makes your business unique?
A. I think it is my style. My photos have a very clean, classic look with a modern edge. I stay away from trends and don’t use props unless they are requested by my clients. I keep my images as simple as possible without filters or gimmicks. I want them to really stand the test of time.
Q. How did you grow your business back then?
A. I did a lot of research, took business classes, and learned as much as I could about running a business. This helped me realize that I was giving too much away and had to look at my business from a completely different viewpoint than just as an artist. Luckily for me, I am pretty equally left-brained and right-brained so the business part came pretty easily.
Q. Were there any specific marketing strategies that have worked well for you?
A. SEO is key. So is social media. Other than that I don’t advertise much. I haven’t found it to be very helpful.
Q. Have you done any commercial work, and if so how did those opportunities come up?
A. Yes, I do some commercial work a few times a year. I get these jobs through my portrait clients or referrals from people who know me in the community.
Q. What do you do to keep yourself inspired?
A. I look at great art. I don’t look at much photography at all, strangely. I find myself either being critical of it or critical of myself when I see it. I think it is normal for creative types to compare themselves constantly to others in their field of interest. I think more like a painter anyway and have much more personal interest in paintings, so I go to museums and galleries whenever I can.
Q. Who do you look up to?
A. My grandfather. He was an amateur photographer when he was young and had a darkroom in his basement. I didn’t know any of that until after he had passed and I was given several boxes of his photos. I had always known him as the family documenter but hadn’t realized what a true passion it was for him. I wish I had known more about that side of him before he died.
Q. Describe your photographic style and has it changed over the years?
A. My style is simple, clean, and uncluttered. Classic with a modern edge. It hasn’t changed much. I think I have refined it to be cleaner and simpler as I have gotten more experienced.
Q. What are some of your favorite photography-related websites?
A. I don’t really have any. As a single mom of two kids running a business, web surfing is the last thing I have time for. If I ever have time for it at all I look at art sites rather than photography sites.
Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A. Becoming friends with my clients and following them as their families grow. I have several families who have been with me for years and I have watched babies grow up into teenagers. I love being a part of their storytelling.
Q. What is the most difficult part of your job and how do you deal with it?
A. Isolation is a tough one for me right now. I work from home and sometimes work so much that I have very little interaction with the outside world. Finding work/life balance is a constant struggle.
Q. Have you ever said no to a job assignment, and if so why?
A. Yes, during my busy season in the fall I get booked up several weeks in advance and have had to turn clients away.
Q. What are some of the greatest hurdles you’ve faced and how did you overcome them?
A. Dealing with tough clients and being able to say, “NO” and mean it. There are just some people who will take advantage of you if you let them and I am a very friendly, easy-going person so sometimes I would let them. I don’t anymore. It was a tough lesson for me but a valuable one.
Q. What are the top 5 things that you attribute to your current success?
A. #1: My dad – he has helped me with my bookkeeping for the last 5 years. I have no idea how I would have managed without him. He is transferring the duties back to me now but as a much more streamlined and efficient process. #2: My kids – they are the drivers behind everything I do. #3: My insane ability to stay organized. I think this might be my superpower. #4: My work ethic. I work HARD. I am a perfectionist, so I am always trying to improve and to give my clients the best. #5: My inherent design skills. I am very good at balancing all of the elements of a photo to create a balanced whole.
Q. How important is having goals for you and what are some that you have at the moment?
A. I have daily goals, weekly goals, and annual goals. I have lists of goals! One of my biggest is to find more free time for myself – back to that work/life balance thing. It’s so elusive.
Q. How important is networking in your specific photography niche?
A. Networking is key. I have a great girl who does my online networking and I have a large social network myself.
Q. What do you recommend to someone getting started in the photography business?
A. Take business classes! I can not stress this enough. I don’t care if you are the best photographer in the world, you will not succeed if you do not know how to run a business.
Q. What is something you wish you did differently when you started your photography journey/business?
A. I wish I had taken business classes sooner. I wasted two years doing a lot of work and really making no money. I wouldn’t say it was a total waste because I created a large fan base and learned more about my craft but it was a money pit there for a while.
Q. What equipment do you use?
A. I shoot with all Canon gear.
Q. How do you plan and set up for a shoot?
A. I have an extensive interview process before I work with a client. I do this so that we are on the same page with our expectations from the session. The night before I usually set out whatever gear I know I need to pack for a location shoot or arrange my studio ahead of time. Then I have notes or sample images that I have done in the past that I might reference during the shoot if I need them. I almost never look at them, but it’s nice to know they are there.
Q. What type of post-processing do you do?
A. I edit in Photoshop, have an offsite editor who does the detailed skin editing I don’t have time for, and then I edit the images further myself.
Q. Do you see any trends developing in your field of photography?
A. All the time. They come and go. I do my best to avoid them if I can — at least the silly ones.
Q. What can we expect to see from you in the future?
A. I have some non-profit work I will be rolling out soon for a cause that is dear to my heart. I am hoping to combine art with fundraising in a manner that will be impactful locally.
Q. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
A. Thank you for including me!
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To see more of Jayme’s work or to contact her click on one of the following links.
