Meet Melissa Jordan…A Fantastic Photographer and AMAZING Mom!

As I was searching for our September Ask and Learn Photographer, I came across this brave and raw video.  The Amazing Melissa Jordan of Melissa Jordan Photography, (Warsaw, Indiana) had just woken up to find that three other wonderful women had been chosen for the scholarship she had applied for …Yes…The SOAR! Scholarship.  I can not tell you how much courage it took her to get in front of a camera and congratulate Lindsay, Jen and Linda.  But what I can tell you is that Melissa knew deep in her heart that this was not the end, it was the beginning.  Since her application in 2010, she has SOARED…all on her own…with grace and determination.   We are so happy she did and she is here with us to share her successes and failures along the way.  Those of you who have or will apply for the SOAR! Scholarship this coming year, let her empower you with her words of wisdom!  Come and join us, in the SOARority forum, for tomorrow’s Ask and Learn, September 22, from 5-7pm PST.

Q:  When did you start your business and what was the turning point of taking it from a hobby to a business of charging people? 
My love for photography and my journey as a mom so far are very closely interwoven so I’m going to have to get personal here but I’ll keep it short and start from the beginning.  My parents bought me my first film SLR during my first year of college and I took pictures of people as a hobby for the next 6 years or so but when everything went digital I fell behind.  A few years later, after my second child was born I made a list of personal goals but soon forgot about this list when I found out I was expecting our third child…  A few days before our third child was born we were told that she had a fatal neural tube defect and would not live long after birth.  Isabel was born and after spending 16 unforgettable hours in our arms she went on to make her eternal home in heaven.  Then came the grief and a darkness so heavy that it almost felt like I was suffocating in it.  We soon found out we were expecting again and had our fourth child within the year.  She brought us so much healing but it was so fast, I was still grieving.  In my grief I found myself searching for an artistic outlet and I took up painting, I even bought some fabric with the intention of learning to sew.  (I’ve since passed that fabric on to a more able bodied person.)  Then I found my aforementioned LIST, those personal goals I had written down four years before.  I read “Get back into photography” and I immediately sent facebook messages to friends from college who had successful photography businesses, asking if they knew of anyone that was selling a DSLR.  Only one responded, he was selling his own and he was going to list it on ebay and Craigslist within the week.  That was meant for me.  Once I decided to buy it there was not a question in my mind of using it as a hobby or for business purposes.  I needed it personally as an artistic outlet but I had intended to start a business with that camera as soon as it was in my hands.  This was about three years ago.  I’m now expecting our 5th child!!  We are having a boy and he’s supposed to make his grand entrance sometime around December 29.

Q:  What inspires your photography? 
My photography is inspired by my subjects.  I’ve found that I’m not very good at taking pictures of landscapes (unless there’s a person in front of it).  I need to photograph life, real expressions, love, joy and even sadness sometimes.  For me, it’s the biggest compliment ever when I’ve been told that looking at my photographs is like looking at an emotion.

Q:  What made you fall in love with photography? 
I believe I was in 8^th grade, I was flipping through the pages of a National Geographic magazine in the library and saw people from around the world just living their lives.  I felt like I could somehow connect with them through those pictures.  This was probably my first experience with seeing a photograph apart from the subject facing the camera and smiling.

Q: What inspires you as a person, artist?
My biggest inspiration is from the first artist ever; God.  I can’t help but be inspired by His creation and works of art that He gives us to look at every day.  Trees and big puffy multi-dimensional clouds are among my favorites.  I’m also inspired by the stories of people who have loved others without regard for themselves.  God and other people, it’s really what this life is all about.

Q:  What is one or two pieces marketing/self-promotion ideas that you can give our newbies?
My top priority in the beginning was word of mouth, to hear more about this join us on the SOARority forum for Ask and Learn on Thursday from 5-7 PST (8-10 EST).

Q:  If you are not behind the camera photographing fantastic people, what might we find you doing? 
I’m a quality time person so spending time with people I care about is definitely at the top of my list of things to do.  I also enjoy drama (I lead the drama team at my church) reading, movies and good food.  My midsection wishes I would stop enjoying that last one quite so much.

Q:  Can you tell us a fun back story behind this GREAT photo!

I had the opportunity to photograph the homebirth of another photographer near me and I took this photo just moments after her baby was born.  This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!  When I left her house I got in my car and cried.  I could not believe I had just witnessed that miracle.

Q:  How would you describe your style? 
Artistic; I like to creatively use my surroundings and if my clients need assistance with posing I like to put them in fluid positions where I can see movement, even in their still shot.   Sophisticated; it’s important to me to be able to combine my creativity with a classic, beautiful image that’s timeless.  I’ve found that in the three short years I’ve been in business trends and fads have changed numerous times, I don’t want my photos to look dated next year.  Authentic; I try to capture real life expressions, emotions and lots of personality.  I also keep my post processing simple and clean.

Q:  What type of camera equipment did you have when you first started shooting portraits?
I bought a used Nikon D2x from a college friend and my only lens for a long time was the 55-200mm 4-5.6.  Those two never ever should have been put together!  I felt like I had arrived when I finally purchased a 50mm 1.8.

Q:  And what have you added to your camera bag since then?
My main camera body is a Nikon D700 and my most used lenses are 80-200mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 24mm 2.8, 60mm macro 2.8 and 85mm 1.8.

Q:  What is your favorite lens right now? 
My favorite go-to lens has always been my 50mm, I think because it’s small and light and I can shoot all the way down to 1.4 but in the last month or so I’m finding that I LOVE my 80-200mm.  It’s heavy but I love the color and creamy skin that it gives me straight out of camera.

Q:  What would you purchase next? 
It’s important to me to not wish for the next best thing.  I have great equipment and I can usually get every shot that I need with what I have so I want to be content and thankful for all that I already have.  If I happen to start saving for something right now though, it would probably be an off camera flash workshop.

Q:  What is one of the best things you have done for the success of your business?  
Learn to be left brained and right brained at the same time.  Keep learning and practice then practice some more.  I quickly found out that the success of my business depends on so much more than how good of a photographer I am.  There are factors like personal connections, customer service, a little luck (or maybe a Divine appointment) and thinking like a business woman instead of an artist.  However, if all of those factors are working together towards my advantage but I allow myself to remain a mediocre photographer I won’t be successful in the end and I won’t feel successful in the present.
   

Q:  How do you know about Me Ra and the SOAR! community? 
My long time friend Jenny Miller of Miller Expressions Photography who also happened to take our family portrait that is pictured here introduced me to Me Ra’s blog back when I first started my business.  And like mentioned above by Wendy, I applied for the 2010 SOAR! Scholarship.

Wowzers Melissa!  I can’t wait to hear more during the Ask and Learn.  Thank you so much for your time and generosity!
Have a fabulous day!
Wendy (Your SOAR! Coordinator)