i’m jessica whitaker, a photographer and educator

I’ve spent over fifteen years refining my craft as a portrait and branding photographer in Seattle, Washington. I’m a specialist in posing women and creating natural, professional images for creatives and small business owners. After photographing couples, weddings, families, and maternity sessions for many years, I shifted my focus exclusively to personal branding and portrait photography.

I believe photography should be accessible, inclusive, and life-changing. For ten years, I’ve dedicated my work to teaching, mentoring, and championing new photographers around the world.

I’m the founder of Build and Bloom®, the first inclusive online photography community of its kind, which I started in 2016. I’ve led free photography workshops across the U.S. and in London and Paris. In 2018, I launched a free 16-city Women in Photography networking initiative. For the last ten years, I’ve been teaching photography on YouTube, focusing on ultra-accessible, jargon-free education. Throughout my career, I’ve dedicated countless hours to empowering thousands of beginners as they build businesses that change their lives and create inspiring legacies. I believe photography is a low-barrier path to income, and I share my free resources so anyone can learn to build a business that pays off debt, covers rent, and opens the door to a new future.

A little more about what I love:
my nonprofit Build + Bloom®

Build + Bloom® is a safe space for creatives, both online and in-person. Our online community is made up of creative individuals of all levels. There is a spot at the table for everyone! In 2018, I even had the pleasure of organizing, leading, and teaching eight workshops all around the United States, Paris, and London. These workshops were free admission to bring equal opportunity to anyone in the community, enabling them to change their legacy through a photography business.

SisterxSister is our volunteer stream for young girls in creative media. SisterxSister started in March 2018 and has met in over 16 cities across the United States.