Jaimie is a documentary-style photographer based in the Midwest and Southern California. She feels lucky to call both STL and 29Palms home. Her daughter is her world and her cats are a close second. She eats Smarties by the bag and loves a good thrift store find. You can probably find her planning her next tattoo or her next trip.
I'm a photographer of people through all of life's adventures, so I photograph intimate weddings, adventure elopements, engagement sessions, family portraits, couples adventure sessions, and fat-neutral boudoir in the Midwest and Southern, California areas of the United States. I'm always available for travel, and many of my clients come to me.
Travel within the United States and Mexico is included in all of my elopement collections.
If I'm photographing you, then I go where you go. You are responsible for any admissions or fees incurred during your photography session / wedding / elopement that are not included in the permit and/or venue fees.
If you are not in So-Cal or the Midwest and are interested in a session, contact me to find out about my travel schedule!
The only thing that really makes me different from anyone else is me. I’ve been photographing weddings for 22 years, and that experience is fucking invaluable.
In my previous life, I worked in direct patient care, including a level 1 trauma center ER and a world-renowned teaching hospital. Between the two… my lawd the things I’ve seen… the stories I have… the stories are so good.
I’ve been in 4 tornadoes – like actually IN them – one of them I was outdoors for. I grew up at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. I’ve been in long floods and flash floods and driven through more water than I ever wanted. I’ve been bitten by a poisonous spider and have the hole in my thigh as a souvenir.
I’ve been married, widowed, and remarried. I’m about as rock solid as the boulders in Joshua Tree. I might be pint-sized but I’m a powerhouse, mentally and physically. At 25, I wouldn't think that the me now would be, could be stronger, because how does that make sense? But here I am.
ALL wedding days are layered -- like the onions I’m so very allergic to. There’s a big story, and stories within stories. It’s about being open to finding them. I use my emotional intelligence and vulnerability to “read the room.” I know when to let moments breathe and when to step in and give a little gentle guidance or direction. Through carefully detailed planning, mixed with my ability to blend into the background to allow your day to unfold naturally, your photos will be more than poses in pretty places. You’ll actually be having the time of your life, doing the things you love, in the most stunning locations on earth.
On your elopement day, I’m both your photographer and coordinator. As I mentioned earlier, I use my emotional intelligence to “read the room,” so to speak. Basically, I’m very sensitive to the vibes other people are giving off, so I’m constantly re-assessing my impact on the situation -- I always want the space around me to be comfortable, open, and accepting, where you feel free to be your true selves. I gently guide you through the schedule, keeping things on track without making you feel rushed, and I casually document the whole thing. This allows you to focus on each other and have the time of your fucking lives together.
You have to be flexible. On elopement days, shit will go wrong. It just happens, and that’s okay. Pretty sure that's a saying. Anyways, I always have backup plans and contingencies to handle whatever the fuck pops up unexpected. Whether it’s weather, location availability, or whatever other potential surprise, I’ve got it covered. My anxiety allows for nothing less. The rural Midwest makes you the toughest kind of radioactive cockroach when it comes to preparedness.
After our initial consultation, I’ll work with you to create a customized plan for your elopement. You're going to share with me your deepest, wildest elopement dreams -- from where you stay to what you do during your elopement day, it's all part of your experience, and your elopement experience should be nothing short of amazing and full of everything you love. We’ll discuss timelines, locations, logistics, activities, meals/picnics, and any special requests you have. I'll send you a short list of vetted vendors to choose from -- and they are going to make abso-fuckin-lute magic together for your elopement day. From the first idea to the final timeline, I'm your Matron of Honor Wedding Planner Travel Advisor BFF.
I know that sharing your adventures is important, especially when you're in the most beautiful places on earth – so I’ll be taking BTS footage on my phone all day that I can Airdrop or Dropbox to you at the end of the day for you to immediately share with loved ones.
I’ll also have a handful of photos for you within a day or two, depending on where we are and what internet is like.
Typically, I deliver the final gallery within 4-6 weeks. You’ll receive a mix of digital and film images. The film images have been scanned and converted to digital. For a super cool, tangible keepsake that's AI-proof, you can even keep your negatives.
"AMAZING!! Jaimie is so incredibly talented. My husband and I were nervous to be in front of the camera and she not only made every moment of photos fun, but she brought out beauty we didn't know existed. Not only is she so amazingly talented with the camera, but she also was a joy to have by our sides the day of the wedding. We are so grateful to have picked her."
"Where do I begin.....Jaimie is awesome! From day one, she connected with me because she was so laid back and I didn't feel pressured to do or purchased anything I did not want. She made this process so easy for us and I loved that she not only captured what I asked, but she also captured those candid shots that we were not able to see throughout the day. Jaimie was no stranger; she jumped right in and even helped me with my wedding gown and gave good tips like she was a part of the family! She was so friendly with everyone, which I liked that about her. Once our photos were ready, we were so pleased! Awesome quality and clarity that I am just in awe of it all!"
"Jaimie should be at the top of your list! Not only is she extremely talented but she is also very warm and personable. She's creative, responsive, and dependable. Jaimie knows exactly how to get people to feel comfortable in front of a camera. Rather than cueing forced-looking poses, she truly captures the true essence of her clients and how they interact with each other."