Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Sweet
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I picked up my first camera at a young age, but my story is a little more than just pursuing that dream. My parents would tell you I loved horses before I was born. Which is how everything for me really started. Sometimes in life you just know where you are supposed to be, for me that was and always will be tied to the equine industry. I started showing horses when I was around the age of 5 thanks to my parents and god parents.
That turned into competing through high school and then continuing into college with an Equine Science degree from William Woods University. WWU was also where I got back into photography by taking classes that helped build my skills. After college, I was blessed to work for a Hunter/Jumper barn in the St. Louis area and at that time I thought my life would grow into being a horse trainer.
But as they say God had other plans for me. I went on to work for Missouri DNR, and then found a position at Washington University. Horse showing is expensive and I know for myself I have lofty goals of showing at a higher level, but I came from an average American household. While I still work full time for WashU and compete on my personal horse through out the year, my other love of photography came back thanks in part to a few good friends who saw my talent and pushed me to start my own business. This business not only helps me afford to show my own horse, but is a way I can insure people will have images with their amazing animals at an affordable cost.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road completely. My journey in the horse industry has been filled with hard work, long days, & timeless life lessons about the things that are most important…our horses. No one really prepares you for what it takes to start and run your own business let alone trying to do it while working full time and managing other passions/ responsibilities of life.
If it hadn’t been for business classes in college and then a continued business education from WashU I think I would have struggled more. My biggest struggle was setting my business apart from others and finding a client base that fit me. Plus doing taxes as a business owner is something completely different than just personal taxes. I also had no experience editing photos when I first got started but learning has always been a strong suit of mine. I try to always keep learning and as someone once told me “be a sponge”. I have been very blessed to have strong ties to the equine community in the St. Louis area and I am so thankful for each and everyone of them.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an equine photographer both in portraits as well as horse show photography. I specialize in photographing horses and their wonderful people in multiple aspects. I am most known for photographing at local shows around the St. Louis area such as Ridgefield Arena, Queeny Park Horse Trials, Happenstance Farms, & Primetime Horse Shows. I am also passionate about portraits that show the relationship between people and their horses, dogs, and each other.
I am most proud of capturing the special little moments that happen naturally. Don’t get me wrong I love the perfect horse show photo that you can frame and remember for years to come, but those special candid moments always seem to mean more to me. I think on a personal level this sets me apart because what I see won’t be what others capture. I also am a firm believer in building others up in confidence at portrait sessions and watching who they are radiate in photos that they will cherish. I love standing ring side capturing horse shows moments, because I love rooting for everyone as they compete.
Another huge point for me is that these are precious moments. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow with each other or are animals. One of the biggest points in my career at this has been gifting someone the only horse show images of their horse with them before it unexpectedly passed. Being horse obsessed since before I could waddle and having the opportunity to learn more about multiple disciplines has made me a better horsewoman (and photographer) in my opinion.
I center everything around a mindset of building confidence and being affordable because I know all to well what its like to struggle to afford shows. These are just a few things I bring to my clients & customers.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk is a natural thing in life. We are all going to face it at some point in some way. I have taken some major risks in my personal life and business. I dove head first into my business when I started and had no guarantee it would even make a profit. Since I base my business off sales alone at shows every time is a risk of not meeting the expenses I have which can be scary. Most don’t realize the expenses we accrue before we ever step foot at a show to photograph riders. This is a hard business at times as you can never fully guarantee enough sales after a show and when the economy fluctuates so do sales.
I think about risk differently now than I did in the past. I still weigh a lot of numbers out to make sure things are sound and point towards at minimum breaking even on things. But I have also found a confidence through my faith of even when things don’t look great I know God will provide for me.
On a personal level I take risks everyday riding my own horse and competing. Equestrians ride 1200lb animals who by instinct are prey animals and would rather run than fight something they deem scary. We risk our lives to ride, bond, and love massive animals that weight as much as a car because we love them. We choose to show them and sign up to be judged. All these things are risk because these animals we love are the same ones who love to hurt themselves and cost us huge amounts of money. We could play it safe and find another sport but we risk it all and I think that’s why I am so passionate about what I do because this should be shared with the world.
Pricing:
- Equine Portraits start at $200
- Horse & Rider Portraits start at $250
- Engagement, Family, & Seniors start at $200
- Commercial Photography can be found online
- Horse Show images can be found online
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jsweetphotos.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsweet_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSweetphotography
