Business is a snap for 13-year-old photographer

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

Not many business owners start by borrowing equipment from their mother, but most businesses aren’t begun by 13-year-olds.

“My mom had her own camera and I was always taking it and using it,” said Anna Jamison of Elizabeth. “I would take pictures of my little brother or flowers or wildlife.”

That was a few years ago. When Anna was 11, her mother bought her a camera.

“For Christmas she got me a camera of my own, a newer version,” the Elizabeth Forward eighth-grader said.

Anna didn’t set out to start a business. She just wanted to have fun with her new hobby.

“My friend wanted her pictures taken and I really enjoyed it, so I started asking more friends if I could take their pictures as well,” Anna said.

It still wasn’t a business, just practice.

“I have (Adobe) Photoshop and Lightroom and I edit my photos on my computer. Because of the pandemic, I’ve had a lot of time to experiment and practice and expand my business,” Anna said.

And it has recently become a legitimate business, growing beyond photos done for free for friends and onto scheduled photo sessions. She recently advertised half-hour mini sessions.

“My mom posted to our Elizabeth Forward page on Facebook. I had 16 sessions available for the two days and I have most of them booked,” Anna said. “I only recently started charging. I’ve only gotten paid twice for people’s senior pictures. I’m just going to save it all up and spend it on better equipment and for college.”

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