First Photoshoot For Jessica Yates Studio
April is a celebration month for me because it’s when I took a scary step of faith and launched Jessica Yates Studio. I was leaving the world of photography I had known for 8 years- photographing weddings, families, seniors, babies and everything in between. I longed for a deeper connection with clients and needed a change. I knew I didn’t want to be tied to being gone every Saturday and every evening as my kids grew and eventually started school. And over the course of those 8 years, I picked up on something about women. In the midst of doing everything for everyone, they faded into the background. Either they hid from the camera all together or they stacked their family in front of themselves. I saw kids beg for their moms to get in the pictures and their replies were, “I didn’t get ready. You don’t need pictures of me. I need to lose weight.” Now, over the course of 8 years, I photographed LOTS of moms. Lots of moms made the choice to BE SEEN. But as a mom of two little ones, I understand the pressure and stress that comes with having photos done. I am responsible for remembering that we need photos, scheduling, planning outfits, getting tiny humans ready, promising to my husband that it will be quick and painless, getting myself ready, and just praying everyone has good attitudes. By the time we show up, I’ve lived 100 lives. I am ALWAYS thankful for the photos. But I understand why women opt out of them.
I kept feeling this tug towards women’s portraits. For three years I studied through online education, practiced and rebranded. I knew what it was but I was setting out to photograph a demographic that is, across the board, not looking to be photographed. I knew I could offer an experience that helped women feel equipped and confident. I came across this beautiful woman and knew I had to photograph her as I prepared for my launch. I tracked her down and she tried to hide 😂 When I talked to her on the phone, I explained what I was doing and that I wanted to photograph her. She replied, “You don’t want me. You should photograph my daughter. She’s beautiful.” I said, “That’s exactly why I want you.” This perfectly sums up moms and women. Always thinking of someone else. Always thinking this experience would be best for everyone but themself. Enter Krista. With her fun hair cut and a smile that captivates everyone. At the time, my studio was in my home. Krista was pampered with hair and makeup from the incredibly talented Emily Edgar. We turned on music and I photographed Krista in a way she had never been photographed before. After, I pulled her images and was able to show them to her. She cried. She smiled. She finally understood what this experience was. She was able to see herself in a new light. I’m so thankful she was part of the 40 OVER 40 Campaign where she shared her journey through becoming a single mom and what life looks like now. Enjoy these radiant photos of Krista!
One of the questions I asked women for the 40 OVER 40 magazine was to describe themselves in three words. I wanted the women to think about their admirable qualities because we tend to focus on the negative. Krista answered, “Joyful, Encourager, Accomplished.” And so much more. There’s a quiet confidence that comes with age—not the kind that brags or boasts, but the kind that knows. She knows who she is, who God created her to be, and she walks boldly in that identity. That comes through living the hard journey of life. At just 26 years old, she found herself walking a path she never anticipated—divorced and a single mom in a community where that carried deep weight. The days were long, the nights even longer. Loneliness wrapped around her like a thick fog, and the road ahead was full of uncertainty. She faced a choice: lean into the arms of the Lord and find contentment in Him (James 1), or spiral in the sadness, delaying the healing that was waiting on the other side. “During those couple of years of being a single mom, I grew deeper in my faith and discovered a new season of God's mercy and who I am made to be in Him. About 23 years ago I met my husband (when I was not looking ) and shortly after that we married. Our 23 years have not been without its challenges, grieving seasons, but has also been years of love, friendship and serving Jesus together.”
Looking back now, she knows the hardest chapter of her story—being a young single mom, exhausted and barely scraping by—was the very season that taught her how strong she truly is. It built her. It gave her grit, resilience, and a fire to help others find their way too.
Her advice to anyone struggling? “You are not alone, even if it looks and feels like you are. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, God wants to draw close to you and be your friend, and comforter.”
In the 4 years since I photographed Krista, I have been reminded time and time again, we have no idea what people have walked through or are walking through. This journey of photographing women has allowed me to hear incredible stories. Women have trusted me with their pain and I feel so honored for the conversations that have happened. Krista is beautiful and vibrant. Some may feel inclined to look at her and think she wouldn’t understand or that her life has been easy. But when you start asking questions, lay assumptions aside and go below the surface (this requires permission!), you are able to see the strength and wisdom that has built a woman.
Like I said earlier, at first, she made excuses as to why she couldn’t be photographed. She didn’t see “that woman” in the mirror—the one who belongs on camera. But when the session ended and she saw her images for the first time, something changed. She saw her grandmother’s strength reflected back at her. She saw herself—the woman she always hoped to be. It lit something in her.
“It has given me a new boldness to share beauty and joy with others. It reminded me to put myself out there to not hide behind others and I have so much more to offer. ”
To the women overwhelmed by society’s impossible standards of beauty, she says this,
“Comparison is a huge trap that you will never win at. Love yourself and work on that daily, until one day you realize....I like myself and I wouldn't want to be anyone else.”
Some of the images pushed her boundaries, but she was proud of that. Proud to have dared. And when Krista looked at them, she saw herself the way her husband and family do—and that has made all the difference. We must be careful not to criticize the very traits we pass on to our children. Whether that be our body shape, personality traits or features we aren’t fond of. We see them as beautiful in our children but flawed in ourselves. Women, let’s build healthy confidence and show the next generation that being authentic is our greatest strength.
Remember when Krista said I should be photographing her daughter instead of her? Is her daughter beautiful? 1000%. Stunning. Captivating. Beautiful. Anyone would love to have Krista’s daughter in front of their camera. But I wanted to show Krista that she is valued the same way her daughter is. She deserves to be seen and celebrated.
It’s easy to look through the many strong women I have photographed and think they weren’t nervous. They look confident and prepared. I’m sure you’re thinking, “why would they be nervous? They are beautiful.” Every woman has had reservations. This experience can bring out deep insecurities. Krista said, “I thought I couldn't do this. I am not photogenic and don't know how to pose properly.” But look at her images! It’s not your job to be photogenic. It’s my job to guide and prepare you so the best version of yourself is captured.
So what would she say to the women reading this? “This is an incredible opportunity to shine the light on WOMEN , God's beautiful creation. We should stand more boldly with love, poise and joy for the world to see. This is a great moment and opportunity to remind the world around us, we are created by God and to love others as he asked us to. Let's RISE UP for the next generation and show young girls what womanhood, motherhood , grandmother-hood, etc looks like through the eyes of God.”
Maybe you have a story that has shaped you. Maybe you need a boost in confidence. Maybe you just need an opportunity to feel SEEN and VALUED. I would love to connect with you. If you are over 40, take a look at the Worthy Campaign, submit an application and let’s create a beautiful session.
Thank you Krista for sharing your heart.
Video by Korey Klein