Jackie Photography: Capturing self-love through the lens

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In the world of photography, where moments are frozen in time, entrepreneur Jackie McGriff has discovered a profound connection between photography and self-love.

As the owner of Jackie Photography, her journey began with an indirect inheritance from her grandmother, who unknowingly passed on a passion that would become McGriff’s sanctuary during challenging times.

McGriff vividly recalls her grandmother’s love for taking pictures of her and her sister with her polaroid camera. McGriff also remembers visiting her grandmother’s photo room, where pictures adorned a clothesline, a precursor to her own immersion in the world of photography. In the midst of battling low self-esteem due to childhood bullying and coping with the death of her grandmother, McGriff found solace and empowerment through the lens of her camera, a journey she now extends to others.

Embarking on her photographic journey, McGriff initially confronted her self-esteem issues by taking daily selfies — a step beyond her comfort zone. She paired this with a daily affirmation in front of the mirror, slowly building confidence. “The first time I did it I felt so dumb, but I did it. The more I said it, the more comfortable I became with it,” McGriff revealed.

Her exploration deepened when she joined a local church’s free photography class. Encouraged to invest in a quality camera, McGriff began capturing the beauty of Rochester, proving that in a city that some may feel is not aesthetically pleasing, there are untold stories waiting to be seen. McGriff’s mentor, Mona Isler, often refers to her camera as “God’s eye,” recognizing McGriff’s unique ability to perceive beauty where others might not.

As McGriff honed her craft, her client base expanded, revealing a common thread — many struggled with self-esteem issues similar to her own. One poignant memory remains etched in McGriff’s heart: a client who believed a photograph of herself would break the camera. It fueled McGriff’s mission to use photography as a tool for self-empowerment.

Here are some valuable photography tips from McGriff’s own experiences:

• Always have a go-to pose ready for impromptu photos.

• Be aware of your best features and embrace them.

• Approach photography sessions with a positive attitude.

• Remember, you are beautiful.

Jackie Photography specializes in high school senior portraits, business branding photography, headshots and more. Jackie’s most significant accomplishment is providing teenagers a space for self-love and expression, emphasizing that they are not just the future but also the present.

However, McGriff’s journey as a Black woman business owner in a male-dominated industry hasn’t been without challenges. Frequently, her knowledge and skills are underestimated, and she often encounters assumptions of being a novice. McGriff has also noticed a deficit in representation of Black photographers, causing a feeling of loneliness in her profession. McGriff addressed this by joining the international group, Black Women, Fems and Non-binary people in Photography, discovering a network that countered her initial sense of isolation.

McGriff encourages other Black photographers to network actively, collaborate with fellow Black-owned businesses and proudly promote their work.  Through this approach, she and other Black Women Photographers (BWP) in the community launched a local meetup in Rochester. The meetup fosters a sense of community for local photographers and opportunities to network and learn from each other.

The group will be having their first 2024 meetup Saturday, Feb. 17, from 2-4 p.m. at Cocoa Rae’s Studio, 215 Tremont Street, Suite #237, Rochester, NY 14608. Black women and non-binary photographers can sign up to become a member of BWP here. BWP is also partnering with Nikon to offer up to $50K in grants and Nikon gear. The deadline to apply is Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m.

Beyond her community involvement, Jackie has earned external recognition, including a Portrait Master Silver Award and participation in the “In This Moment” program, where her photographs highlighted influential Black community leaders.

While accolades abound, Jackie values the internal healing that photography has brought her. “You are worthy of getting your photos taken,” she insists, echoing the personal affirmation that kick started her journey. Through her lens, Jackie continues to inspire others to embrace their worth, one photograph at a time.

To discover more about Jackie Photography, visit www.jackiephotographs.com.

Jessica Flood is an Account Manager at LáLew Public Relations.

LáLew Public Relations, LLC is partnering with the RBJ on a monthly feature spotlighting Black and brown businesses. To suggest a business, please visit www.lalewpr.com and click on submit your story.