I’m a professional photographer—and I still hire photographers. Like, a lot.
In fact, some of the most meaningful images I have weren’t taken by me at all. They were taken for me. And that difference matters more than you might think.
Sure, I could take my own photos. I’ve got the gear, the eye, the experience. But when it comes to capturing my own life—the real, raw, emotional stuff—I want to be in it, not behind the lens. I want to remember how it felt, not how I fumbled with a tripod and timer. I want to see the whole story, not just the pieces I managed to snap in the moment.
Over the years, I’ve hired photographers all over the world.
Let's take a deeper dive, shall we?
In Scotland, I booked a Main Character session and wandered through the foggy morning streets of Edinburgh while someone else documented the magic. We hit all the iconic spots—Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the colorful curve of Victoria Street. We laughed as I stumbled over cobblestones in heels, and afterward, we warmed up with coffee on Cockburn Street.
I was traveling alone, but I didn’t feel it. My photographer, made me feel like the star of a movie and we’re still friends to this day. Those photos hold more than scenery. They hold a memory, a feeling, a piece of me I’m so glad I kept.
In Venice, Italy, I celebrated my solo travel era. I wasn’t about to leave with a camera roll full of selfies and blurry photos taken by strangers. I wanted images that said: I was here, and I did this alone.
We wandered the winding streets starting at Piazza San Marco, paused along the Grand Canal, found that iconic blue door near Libreria Acqua Alta, and ended at the Rialto Bridge. Every corner felt cinematic, and every photo told the story of a woman showing up fully for herself in one of the most dreamy cities in the world.
Maui, Hawaii? That was a family session. But not just any session. It was our first family vacation together in over 10 years. Getting everyone in the same place at the same time was a miracle in itself, and let me tell you — the last thing my family wanted to do was wake up early and take photos on the beach.
There was grumbling. There were eyerolls. But I knew it mattered. And now? My parents thank me all the time for those memories. The photos mean even more to them than I expected. (My brother doesn’t say much, but I’m holding out hope that one day he’ll get it too.) Life moves fast. That version of our family — in that season, in that place — doesn’t exist anymore. But I have the photos. And I’ll treasure them forever.
But it’s not just travel. I’ve hired photographers in my own city, too.
One time, I booked a cozy little indoor session—not because there was a big occasion, but honestly because I needed something to shake up a boring season of life. My friend and talented photographer was offering studio sessions, and I said yes for the hell of it. I got my hair and makeup done, we drank wine, and I showed up in white ankle socks, oversized shirts, and soft, girly energy. It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. It inspired me. It made me feel present in my body and my life again.
For my holiday cards, I made sure Braven (my dog, my soulmate, my entire heart) and I had photos to send to the people we love—just because I didn’t have kids didn’t mean we didn’t also belong on people’s refrigerators.
Even when Braven was a puppy, we did a sunset beach shoot so I could always remember his floppy puppy ears. I didn't know back then how much these photos would mean to me one day.
And when I found out Braven had cancer, I knew exactly what I had to do.
I booked a session the second I got his diagnosis—while he was still healthy—because I knew that was the healthiest he’d ever be again. I didn’t want to wait. I didn’t want to risk losing this version of him: the wild, stubborn, hilarious version who still had so much spark left.
And I’m happy to report that during our shoot, he was an absolute menace. Running. Jumping. Biting snow. Terrorizing our photographer. Doing everything in his power not to participate.
Looking back, I can’t help but smile. The photos are pure chaos. They’re pure Braven.
And they’re everything to me now.
And on his last day on earth, I asked a talented colleague to take photos of me and Braven. When I asked if she’d photograph us eating cheeseburgers in the back of my trunk, I knew it was an unusual request— far from the polished work she normally shared. But she didn’t hesitate. She showed up, no questions asked.
It wasn’t about posing. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence.
Just me and my boy, sharing In-N-Out in the back of our car. One last normal moment in a sea of heartbreak.
There’s no way I could’ve captured that myself. And I’m forever grateful I didn’t have to.
These final photos? I look at them more times than I can count. And not once—not once—have I regretted having them.
In fact, I regret not having more. I regret not doing a Braven photoshoot every single year of his life.
I took this one ☺️
Writing this blog post was unexpectedly healing for me. I got to revisit so many memories—some joyful, some bittersweet—and feel grateful to my past self for honoring them. For doing the work of organizing it all, researching photographers in foreign countries, not hesitating for a second when I got the bad news about Braven, and choosing to put money down to savor moments I knew I’d never get back.
And now, I get to hold those moments in my hands. I get to relive the places I’ve been, the people I’ve loved, and the little fragments of life that made it all so meaningful. I get to admire the work of incredible photographers whose perspectives shaped how I remember those days.
A lot of people say, “Well, I can just take pics on my phone.”
Sure. And then what? They sit in your camera roll for eternity? Forgotten, unorganized, and unshared?
Hiring a photographer is so much more than getting nice photos. It’s handing over the stress, the guesswork, and the chaos to someone who can give it back to you as a story. Someone who knows how to pose you without making it awkward. Someone who delivers a gallery where your memories are beautifully, clearly, visibly preserved.
Half my job as a photographer is photo management. Truly. That’s the magic that happens after the shutter clicks. And when you hire someone to capture you, you get that magic, too.
I shoot for fun all the time on my own camera—but you know what I don’t usually do? Make a gallery for myself. Those photos get buried on a hard drive and forgotten. But when I hire someone, they hand me a complete moment, all wrapped up in a gallery I can return to over and over.
That’s the difference.
So if you’re wondering if you need professional photos, let me just say this:
You don’t need a milestone.
You don’t need a wedding.
You don’t need kids.
You just need you, and a moment that matters.
Let someone else hold the camera.
Let someone else tell the story.
Let yourself be seen.
Because life is made of moments.
And most of them deserve to live beyond your camera roll.
— Jen
The Artists Behind the Lens(es)
None of these memories would be what they are without the incredibly talented photographers who captured them. Thank you for the way you saw me, guided me, and gave me something to hold onto forever.
Your work helped me remember, reflect, and feel deeply seen — and that is the most powerful gift.
Edinburgh, Scotland | Gabby Secomb Flegg | @scotlandmagic
Venice, Italy | Vicky | @vicky_photo.it
Maui, Hawaii | Jess | @mauifamilyphoto
Cozy & Confident Shoot | Molly | @photobymollyrose
Marian Bear Park | Jen Jordan | @jenjordanphotography
Puppy Braven at the Beach | Bree Leach | @breeleachphotography
Braven in the Trees | Brittany DeWitt | @brittanysierraphotography
Braven's Last Burger | Jess | @jessicalillianphotography
Your Turn!
Have thoughts? Feelings? A favorite photo? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear what resonated with you.
