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.

Booking Your Photoshoot:

I offer branding and portrait sessions, with packages starting at $1,200. Fill out the form below, and I'll be in touch shortly!

Columbia University Graduate?
I'll be in New York City around Columbia's graduation in May 2027 for graduation photoshoots! Since these sessions include travel, they have their own separate pricing from my regular sessions, which I'll send over once you reach out. Spots are limited since I'm only in the city for a few days, so if you'd like to celebrate your big milestone with photos around campus, fill out the form below and let me know you're a Columbia grad.

1. Inquire: Submit the contact form below and tell me a little about your vision.

2. Discovery Call: We'll hop on a quick, free call to go over all the details and make sure we're a great fit.

3. Planning Call: Once you're booked, we'll have a planning call to map out everything for your photoshoot.

4. Prep: I'm very type A, so staying in communication with you is really important to me. Along the way, you'll receive plenty of materials to help you prepare, so you'll walk into your photoshoot feeling confident and ready.

5. Photoshoot: All you have to do is arrive, and I'll guide you through the rest!

6. The Reveal: You'll get to see your full gallery and pick your favorite images yourself. I don't choose them for you, so you end up with the photos you love most.

7. Final Result: I'll edit and retouch every image you selected and deliver your final gallery, ready to use however you'd like.

Ready to get started? Let's make some magic! Click the button below to fill out my contact form

personal branding Galleries

Love Letters

Explore the Galleries

Portraits

Couples

personal Branding

Film Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! I ALWAYS encourage my clients to bring someone with them. Bring a friend, parent, or spouse! Whoever can cheer you on + whatever will make you feel more comfortable, go for it!

Yes! My main focus is personal branding, but I do still offer couples and engagement sessions. Reach out through the form above, and I'll send over all the details.

Yes! You select your images. After your photoshoot, I'll send you a link to your online gallery, where you can browse through your photos and pick your favorites. Once you've made your selections, I'll edit and retouch each one and deliver your final images.

I plan for this ahead of time! When you book, we'll hold up to two backup dates, so if the weather doesn't cooperate, we can reschedule without any fee.

You'll receive a welcome email with everything you need to get started, followed by a planning call where we map out your photoshoot from start to finish. From there, I'll send you prep materials along the way so you always know what comes next and never have to wonder what you should be doing.

Absolutely! During our planning call, we'll go over outfits, locations, props, and hair and makeup, so you walk into your photoshoot feeling completely prepared. For branding sessions, I'll also help you build a shot list so we capture every image your business needs.