Why Small Businesses Matter

Shop small, do big things for your community

Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!

You’re IT Jessica Xu Photography!

Three questions with Jessica Xu, founder of Jessica Xu Photography.

Why did you start your business?

Before having kids I was an elementary school teacher; I loved teaching my students dearly. However, once I had my first child in 2012 I was motivated to find a way to stay at home with my baby so I bought myself my first DSLR. I had attended photo school before I got my teaching degree but had learned on film so it was a process to develop a digital shooting and editing style.

A couple of years and two babies later I started Jessica Xu Photography, shooting family sessions here in Darien. Being a family photographer is my dream job: I meet new families, I get to express myself creatively and most importantly I work out of my home and can meet my kids at 3:15 when they get off the bus.

What is your best-selling product/service?

When I started out shooting family portraits I only did mini sessions (and I still do them from time to time) but 15 minutes can feel so frantic. My favorite part of the job and my most popular “product” is the full family session. I love to take my time getting to know the families so I can capture them honestly and artfully. I think clients like the full session because we are all so busy and with a full session the family gets to choose the date, time, and location.

Have you “reimagined” your small business?

Transitioning from shooting mostly minis to more full sessions made me think about what kind of experience I wanted to give my client. Everyone who books a photo session is looking for great shots of their family but I want my clients to walk away from our session feeling like they participated in something special. I’m looking to avoid the frantic nature of a mini-session and I understand how most parents doubt their kids’ stamina for actively engaging (aka smiling) but my goal when I’m shooting is to let the session unfold naturally.

That might mean taking a break to chat for a minute about favorite books or tv shows and then we’ll jump back into shooting. I always take that mandatory smile-at-the-camera shot but then the real fun begins and we can get silly if that’s the mood, or serious if that’s where someone is at. Sometimes we’ll explore the location to find the best spot for frolicking. Sometimes the kids need to run a few laps to get their heads in the game (while I shoot furiously).

Sometimes Dad needs to run a lap. Taking the time to get to know my subjects helps me capture them more honestly and that means the photos look great on a holiday card and even better on a wall, in an album, or another keepsake. I’m shooting for posterity, I want to take images that decades from now, families can look at and vividly remember this season of their life.

Jessica would love to nominate Megan Dey who runs Squishy Life Photography to be featured next – “A local infant photographer! I gave newborn photography a shot about ten years ago and it is so hard! Not for me; what she does is pure magic!”

Visit Jessica Xu Photography online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook page as well!

HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!