Sidney native capturing a career in photography

Sidney native and 2012 Sidney High School graduate Emily Jessen has always had a passion for art.

Now a senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Jessen has been able to create her own photography business and brand at a young age.

Jessen was exposed to the photography world during her time at Sidney High School.

"I didn't get into photography seriously until my junior year of high school when I took a class with Mrs. (Ann) Darling," Jessen said. "We had a couple of assignments that were technical based, but it wasn't until we had to photograph people that it clicked that this was for me."

Jessen would set up photoshoots of her sister and her friends. After posting the images from assignments on Facebook, Jessen said she received a lot of positive feedback.

"I was just shooting with a point and shoot Samsung camera, so that Christmas my parents got me a Canon Rebel, and from there I started shooting some senior pictures for my friends and it just kept growing into what it is today."

According to Jessen, once she got her camera, she began teaching herself.

"If I couldn't figure something out I would just look up tutorials on YouTube," she said. "I had Mrs. Darling guiding me, who was awesome and so supportive of me doing photography, and I would also learn things just being out and shooting."

Although she has done several photo shoots over the years, it wasn't until recently that she knew she could make a career out of doing what she loves.

"I have been overwhelmed with how fast word of mouth spreads. I constantly get messages that so and so saw this shoot and would love for me to do the same for them or saw this person's wedding and loved it," she said. "My business definitely took a more professional turn in the past two years and a lot of that was thanks to previous clients recommending me to people that they knew."

While photographers are competitive in making their work stand out to viewers, Jessen uses her easygoing personality to attract her clients.

"I think couples and seniors are drawn to that because it doesn't feel so much like a business deal, but rather just hanging out," she said. "Getting your photo taken can be super awkward, so I try my hardest to make them feel comfortable and joke around with them."

Weddings are by far her favorite subject, and this has also allowed her to travel out of state.

"I just shot a wedding in Annapolis, Md., which was incredible," she said. "I'm also headed to Austin, Texas, in March for another one. It's (weddings) such an emotional day and I love looking at the pictures afterward to see how they capture those emotions and tell the story of that day. It keeps me on my feet and puts me in a position where I have to think quick and I really like that."

"Plus, there's wedding cake," she joked.

She encourages anyone interested in photography to pick up a camera and just shoot.

"Your friends aren't going to be mad if you ask them to model," she said. "Fill your Instagram and Facebook with people that inspire you so that you're constantly looking at work and thinking about new ideas. Also, don't compare yourself to other photographers, everyone is at different skill levels and places in their life so don't feel that your work is inferior to others."

Jessen is furthering her passion for art and photography at NWU by getting a degree in fine art and a minor in marketing with an emphasis in communications. She will graduate in May.

"I wouldn't have a job if it weren't for the awesome people who ask me to be a part of the biggest day in their life," she added.

Ultimately she hopes to continue traveling and eventually photograph a destination wedding.