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Meet Jackie Batch of Jackie Batch Photography in San Diego

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Batch.

Jackie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m an incredibly nostalgic person. I’ve always had a camera in hand, drawn to capturing moments to relive later. My shelves are full of photo albums + roughly-assembled travel journals bursting with ticket stubs + faded photos.

It was a natural path to create a business with my photography, and it made perfect sense to shoot beautiful events and celebrate happy people. As I’ve spent years shooting weddings + elopements, couples + families, portraits + products, I’ve come to understand the impact I hope to have through my work. Finding purpose in this artistic outlet + profession has been incredibly rewarding.

As a photographer, I create so much more than photos, I connect with my clients, and in that relationship I want to curate an experience in front of my camera that deepens relationships, strengthens confidence + provides lasting memories.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While I wouldn’t call it smooth by any means, any “bumps in the road” have absolutely come from the natural process of finding myself as an artist + business owner. There is a delicate balance in finding your voice, staying true to it, and not falling into the trends or comparisons that inevitably exist.

There is a very real struggle that most artists encounter called the “Imposter Syndrome” – this really takes hold when you lose sight of your purpose and begin creating + working for the wrong audience, often times for your peers or your ego. Although there is an acceptance + satisfaction in fitting into a mold, we each have a unique voice that we were created to share, and in conformity its impact is lost.

I’ve found freedom from those doubts + insecurities when I shift back into my purpose + adjust my focus to serving my client’s needs. Being fully IN the industry, while also keeping my creative blinders up + allowing for authentic inspiration + connection with my clients has been the most challenging, yet rewarding obstacle.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your work – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Whether I am shooting a full wedding day, or a thirty minute portrait session, I approach every shoot as a storyline. I’m there to capture and tell your story from the details of your venue + wardrobe to the moments that you couldn’t plan for that “just happen.” My goal is always to capture the actual emotion + feel of those moments.

My gear is fairly minimal, as I like to be as mobile as possible – running around, climbing fences + dodging waves to get “the shot.” I focus on keeping the colors + mood accurate to the space, so that when you look back at your photos you are actually drawn back to remember + feel what it was like to be there.

Each couple + individual come to their session in such a unique place, with a completely different experience + story, that there can’t be a standard prompt or direction. Rather than static posing, I like to incorporate a lot of movement into my prompts, giving extra depth to each moment. By using prompt-style direction, I am able to cultivate an environment for real moments + real emotions…and that is what I want to capture. I typically gauge each client based off of the level of relationship that we’ve created, as I move between playful, energetic prompts + more emotional, sentimental moments. Because of this, each session is going to be completely unique to each person.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
If I’m honest, I’m both excited and nervous for that word “future.” I have spent years shooting and celebrating moments + people in a way that shares their story in a fairly public style. Most of these celebrations are, after all, meant to be shared, and I will always love this part of my work. The biggest change coming in my business is really more of a shift in perspective, as I focus on the more intimate nature of portraiture.

“Boudoir” has always triggered images of stiletto heels + sexy lingerie in a pristine studio setting, but none of that has ever spoken to me, or most women I know. A while back I began taking my own self-portraits as a firm stance against the destructive thoughts of unworthiness + imperfection that so often flood our minds as women. It started as an intentional action saying that I was in fact “enough”, regardless of how I may feel. What I began to notice was that this isn’t about “sexy” photos, rather it was giving space to the calm, quiet power that comes with owning who you are in all ways.

While working in this niche of Intimate Portraiture with women, I’ve witnessed such incredible healing and also created lasting relationships + friendships. It is an honor to be a part of the vulnerability, while empowering women in not just accept, but celebrating themselves.

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Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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