Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Muller.
Jamie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I bought my first professional camera on October 3, 2014. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be where I am now, over 7 years later. In my little town of Camden, Tennessee, there’s an over-saturation of photographers, and they’re extremely talented- more talented than I ever thought I could be. I was a full-time college student, working a full-time job while juggling family and my relationship.
I didn’t think I would have the time nor would I have a chance to become a ‘real’ photographer. Now, I edit my pictures and get butterflies when I see the final results. My clients suggest me to their friends, family, and even strangers. My hobby turned into my career and pays the bills as my full-time job. It funded my wedding, a down-payment on a new house, and everything else I’ve needed. I live in a dream.
I capture the love between a couple, the joy in a child’s smile, and the emotion of a bride before her wedding. I give priceless memories to people in a form that they can save and cherish. I put my soul into my photography, and my heart into my editing- my final product is a piece of me that will live forever, along with that memory.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In December of 2015, I was diagnosed with a rare genetic cancer called paraganglioma. It came out of the blue; a softball-sized tumor wrapping around my IVC was found during a CT scan. I was immediately sent to Vanderbilt ER, tests were run, and it was determined I would undergo surgery to remove it. During testing before the surgery, they found that it had spread — I had the original tumor, as well as a small tumor in my breastbone and in my left shoulder.
I underwent three surgeries (January 5th, March 15th, and April 1st) to remove them. Testing showed I had a genetic mutation that causes the tumors; a year later, I was rediagnosed with 3 more tumors, this time in two spots in my spine and one in my femur. They recommended a new type of radiation, but my tumors wouldn’t take the treatment so they tried more standard radiation. It failed to treat them, and a year later, they decided to try chemotherapy by pills. Those also didn’t work, and after a trip to NIH (National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland) to speak to the leading specialists in my type of cancer, I was dubbed “minimal progression” due to the lack of growth in my tumors and released for daily activity and life!
One of the hardest challenges I’ve had was the passing of a very close friend, Kelsey Yates. Her photo is featured here — she’s in the wedding dress on her horse, Kat. I’ve known her since I was 13, and we grew up training horses and barrel racing together. She and her sisters have lived about 2 miles down the road from me for my entire life, even into our adult lives after buying houses. She helped me so much with my photography career, especially in being such a willing model to work with. I even shot her wedding. We had so many fun adventures getting to and shooting our sessions, and conversations while getting ready for shoots.
On July 16, 2019, she passed away in a car accident. It was the hardest thing to go through, and at the request of her family, I shot her funeral and procession — singlehandedly the hardest shoot I’ve ever done. It still is hard, and I am forever grateful and thankful to have so many photos that show her amazing personality. It’s one of the reasons I appreciate what I do — you never know when the only thing you’ll have left is the photos.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer! I shoot seniors, families, maternity, smash-cake /milestones, weddings, boudoir — everything but newborns! I am known for my fairy ring prop and my dog sessions.
I am most proud of how my boudoir clients feel when I show them their photos. To see the smile on a client’s face, to see the confidence square up their shoulders, is the best feeling!
I’m not sure what would set me apart from others. Most of my client’s comments that I make them feel comfortable, it’s more like shooting with a friend than a stranger!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am self-taught! I read Google articles, watched YouTube videos, scoured Pinterest, and found photography forums to learn what I needed to know! I’m lucky enough to live in a small town where everyone knows everyone, and word of mouth got me most of my clients!
Pricing:
- Mini Events $50
- 30-minute sessions $75
- 60-minute sessions $100
- 90-minute sessions $150
- Weddings $400-$1600
Contact Info:
- Email: j.mullerphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.jmullerphotography.com
- Instagram: @jmullerphotography
- Facebook: @jmullerphotography
Image Credits
J. Muller Photography
