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.
From Self-Doubt to Self-Empowerment
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.
Photography as a Medium for Healing
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.
Empowering the Black Photography Community
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.
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.
