Meet Jessica Morgan | Photographer & Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Taking a major career risk in my late twenties was the single most important decision I’ve made. I was working in a visitor center for five years, surrounded by a lot of natural beauty. I brought my camera to work daily, coming in early and staying late. I found moments on my lunch break to go out and photograph the desert’s changing light. I loved talking with visitors about photographing the desert and seeing the landscape through their eyes.

Over time, I began shooting for Arizona Highways Magazine. Contributing to this beautiful magazine provided a lot of confidence in myself to keep creating and push myself to expand my portfolio. I began teaching photography classes at R.E.I. which helped me explore other avenues of keeping photography a part of my career.

in 2018, an employee of Yellowstone National Park reached out to me about an available photo guiding position based out of Old Faithful. This was a job I had only dreamed about; utilizing my photography skills and teaching folks how to create their own style in the natural world. I vividly remember packing my car and moving to a dorm in Yellowstone that spring. Many emotions, a lot of fear, but a very important turning point in my life. Since then, I have been able to guide photography trips around the United States.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Over time, my photography has ebbed and flowed. When I look back at my beginnings with photography, I can’t help but cringe. However, I think it’s important to recognize growth in any art form. I got to where I am today by raising my standards of what I think makes a great photograph. I continued to shoot the same landscapes but at different angles and different times of day.

I understood that landscape and wildlife photography was a difficult career to pay the bills long term. Getting to the career I have now took a lot of rerouting when it came to incorporating my passion. Understanding that there are other avenues to landscape photography than just selling prints is crucial. People are always wanting to increase their photographic quality which is why teaching/guiding photography trips can be a successful route. If your art is important, find a way to keep it in your life. Oftentimes, that meant taking risks and getting out of my comfort zone.

I want to emphasize the notion that passion transfers. Brands and stories speak for themselves when people sense passion. That’s a piece of advice I give to myself daily. It reminds me of how I got to where I am today.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many gems in Tucson. I would spend our days hiking in Madera Canyon or Saguaro National Park. Maybe take a road trip up Mount Lemmon to escape the heat (with a stop for local fudge, of course). We would have delicious food at places like Welcome Diner and Boca Tacos. Exploring downtown Tucson is a must as well. We would spend a morning at a local art show or farmer’s market & photograph the quintessential San Xavier del Bac or dark skies of east Tucson.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents have been extremely supportive of my passion for photography. Since childhood, I remember borrowing my dad’s camera at home & on vacation. I’d inundate my mom with photos of flowers and trees from the backyard.

They have always encouraged me to pursue a career that brings joy. I am beyond grateful for their unwaivering advocacy throughout this journey.

Website: http://www.jessicamorganphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicamorgan_photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicamorgan.photog

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFceXFd1dti3dZn5x0IOqqA

Image Credits
Arizona Highways Magazine