“Connectors are the people who link us up with the world, people with a special gift for bringing the world together.” Malcolm Gladwell
Connecting people is an art- and it makes perfect sense that an artist would be so adept at this role. Jill Rosell has been uniting the community of Bend, Oregon every day with the hugely popular I Love Bend, OR Facebook page. This page features a new photo each day of Bend and the surrounding area and is devoted to highlighting the joyful moments, people and four legged companions that make up the community.
Capturing these images daily comes naturally to Jill. She is as a professional photographer who specializes in working with families, seniors, children, newborns, and musicians. She also has a particular affinity for dogs and adores photographing them, to the great delight of many fellow animal lovers. Jill has used her talent to create a successful business called Jill Rosell Photography, and is here to share with us what has helped her on the road to success.
Q. What inspired you to begin Jill Rosell Photography?
A. For me traveling the world and having two children has always meant taking photos. Watching my children grow made me realize I needed decent photos to cherish these moments. One day I decided it was time to take a step up in the world of cameras. I bought a digital SLR canon 40D and fell in love. I discovered how to be creative with photography and it wasn’t long before I wanted to photograph more than my own two children. Having a business meant I could photograph many different people and places. I grew a portfolio and in 2009 I launched my website www.jillrosellphotography.com. A first year business goal was to expand my photography equipment. One year later I have my dream camera: the Canon 5D mark 2 and a selection of L series lenses as well as other necessary equipment. I can now also say I have beautiful photos of my children to cherish for years to come.
Q. What is the most challenging element of your business?
A. Juggling being a wife, mother and photographer and not having enough hours in the day and days in the week.
Q. What is the most rewarding part?
A. It’s when I get home from a photo session and upload the images to my computer. I can’t wait to transfer what I saw with my eyes to a screen and continue from there with the final creative touches and then present these moments as physical photographs.
Q. What advice would you give to those starting their own business?
A. Take those steps or do those things that make you uncomfortable or you think you’re not ready to do. Smile and look confident when you do them and know that no one will know otherwise. Also use social media! Facebook, Twitter and blogging are all free and connect you to others.
Q. What has helped you to stay strong during the economic ebbs and flows?
A. My goal is to do what I love, do it well and come from the heart. I want people to know me for my work and as a person who cares.
Supporting each other and coming together as a community is what will get us through difficult economic times. Bend has a very special community and it is important to be part of it.
Q. Is there any business or life advice you have received that has helped you along the way?
A. Knowing the importance of doing something for yourself – refueling yourself.
Being a mother means giving 24/7. I had been a stay at home mother for 9 years and was so grateful for this opportunity. When my second child started Kindergarten I knew it was time to find something that would allow me to tap into my creativity and refuel me. I was fortunate enough to have it find me. Photography has brought balance into my life. It is a joy to have someone want me to photograph them, their family, kids or dog!
Q. What has been the most important factor for you in the success of your business?
A. Doing something I love to do. Also connecting with others via social media.
My ‘I Love Bend OR’ Facebook page began as a way to express my love for Bend and share my images daily with others who also love Bend. I had no idea how popular it would get and how much joy the photos would bring to others. Now 316 days later with over 3400 fans I am still enjoying finding people, places and things to photograph around Bend. It allows me to be creative, photograph more and share images with a community of people who all love Bend.
Q. How do you define true success- in life and/or in business?
A. True success to me is when you can wake up every day and be grateful for who you are, what you have and where you live. To be able to live in joy and not fear.
True success in business is when you can find something you are passionate and creative about and can touch others and make a difference in the world.
Q. Is there a book, blog, quote or piece of music that consistently inspires you creatively?
A. The song “Imagine” by John Lennon. (funny that it just came on randomly on Pandora Radio while I’m answering this )
Also this quote: ”When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” -Dr. Wayne Dyer
(Jill with her kids)
Jill clearly loves her community and enjoys celebrating it with others- connecting everyone with a common love for Bend in unique and original ways. She finds great joy in capturing beautiful, fun and often poignant images of daily life in Bend and pours this energy and creativity into her business as well. Jill knows the importance of enthusiasm and passion for what you do and advises new business owners to be confident, take necessary risks, utilize social media and always take the time to ”refuel”. Great advice, especially for the many working mothers and fathers out there who want to create the business of their dreams while maintaining balance.
Can you relate to Jill’s life/work balancing act? Has your business journey been similar? Leave your comments below on what Jill has shared and feel free to comment if you simply love Bend as well!
Next Thursday we move on to our seventh business in the success series, join us then
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Jill’s photography is inspiring! She captures the energy and life of everything she sees in her camera. Love her!!
Thanks for your comment Tricia! Jill really is remarkable