Welcome to our Celebrating Local Women in Business blog! We are focusing on local Connecticut businesses owned and run by women. The blogs will give you a chance to learn about the women who own these businesses, why they chose the work they do, what drove them to transform that passion into their own business and how their business has a positive impact on others.
Today I’m introducing you to Jessica Odaynik who owns and operates jesslancephoto in Plainfield, CT. Jess has worked in a variety of photography styles and has chosen to focus her business around what she loves most – weddings. She has a style that reflects her personality and has a personality that makes you like her from the first time you meet her. Jess loves sharing these special moments with a couple and captures amazing images for them to cherish.
Name: Jessica Odaynik
Owns/Operates: jesslancephoto in Plainfield, CT
“I enjoy giving couples a chance to relive their wedding day. Everything goes by so fast and most of the time I show them moments they had missed. My goal is to make the photography process as simple and fun as possible.”
“Growing up I was the baby in my family, aka designated flower girl. I remember the wedding photographers always interrupting! The mother of the bride would be helping her daughter into her dress and the photographer would say okay, stop, hold it, great, now do that one more time….okay now from this side, look at me… smile! Same thing during the first dance, cake cutting… pretty much any important moment. I loved photography from a young age but decided I never ever wanted to be a wedding photographer, because they ruined the moment. Ironically now I spend most of my weekends May-November photographing weddings and loving every second!
When I graduated from the New England Institute of Art in 2010 I saw myself working for magazines or in a museum. My husband’s job brought us to Miami, FL and I began working with a commercial photographer working on ads for Burger King. It sounded like the greatest job ever but I soon discovered that commercial photography had little to do with photography and knew it wasn’t for me. As a military spouse I made some great friends while stationed in Miami. They found out I was a photographer and would ask if I could take some photos of their families. At the time I didn’t think of that as a career, more of a way to meet new people. One day I received an email that said “I wanted to thank you for the photos of my granddaughter. It’s so hard being away from her but your photos made me feel like I was there with her. They capture her just how she is, bubbly and silly and full of energy” That’s when I started to realize I was doing more than just taking pictures of people, I was capturing memories for them.
When we moved back home to Connecticut in 2013 I started to pursue portrait and wedding photography. Three years later I’m happy to call this my full-time job, with a studio in Plainfield and specializing in weddings. As for my “fear” of ruining the moment as a wedding photographer? Well past brides have said “Jess captured all the special moments of the wedding and I didn’t even know she was taking photos at the time! She’s great during the wedding without really being seen or heard.” “She has the amazing philosophy of taking things in as they happen, rather than forcing them. All in all, it leads to wonderful photos that truly capture the events and emotions of the day.”
The wedding experience with jesslancephoto is full service. I meet with couples right after their engagement (sometimes even at the proposal!), they come to the studio to discuss their wedding plans and I pass along all my favorite vendor’s information for florists, caterers, makeups, etc. Engagement sessions are typically done at one of their favorite places and they receive a hard cover book that doubles as a guest book at the wedding. As the big day gets closer we do a walkthrough at their venue to finalize all the best spots for portraits and create a timeline for the day to ensure every moment is captured. I’m usually one of the first vendors to arrive and almost last to leave but I love the whirlwind of the day. A low-res preview is available for the couple within the first week and they’re able to favorite any images they’d like edited first. Four to six weeks later they receive their final gallery and are invited back to the studio to start creating their wedding album and wall art. I enjoy giving couples a chance to relive their wedding day. Everything goes by so fast and most of the time I show them moments they had missed. My goal is to make the photography process as simple and fun as possible. I love when past couples call me for their other big life events….pregnancy, birth, military homecomings, anniversaries, family member’s engagements and more.
I try to give back when I can. I’ve donated my services to animal shelters looking for fun photos to help the adoption process, military homecomings and Chamber of Commerce events. I’m active in the Rose City BNI chapter and look forward to helping with more causes in the future!”
This photo of two canvases Jess made can’t do justice to seeing them in person. The fact that she loves what she does shines through in the photos she takes.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer to capture your special day, look no further, just check out Jess’s info and work at:
www.jesslancephoto.com
www.facebook.com/jesslancephoto
IG jesslance.photo
If you would like to be featured in one of our blogs, please go to our Contact Us page at MarilynRiel.com and tell me more about you and your business!
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
Book your session today!!
