Jamie Heyl Photography

The most frequently asked questions I get when I meet people are usually how long I’ve been doing this and if we came here because of Katrina.

The answer to the first question is that I’ve only been taking photos professionally since November, but I’ve been taking pictures and self-teaching myself photography basics for about 3 years. When we moved here in May from Alexandria, Virginia, I didn’t intend to start doing this as a profession, but people were asking about the pictures I took of my son and nephew and I was being told there was a need for a new photographer, so I decided to try and fill some of that need. I really love photography and I spend a lot of time researching new techniques, learning everything I can and browsing through sites that inspire me. I like to think that my photography is constantly evolving, changing and growing, while remaining consistent with my style.

So what is my style?

I prefer simple, natural portraits that are free from distracting props or backgrounds. I do studio portraits for maternity and babies only because I prefer to photograph young children in their natural environment. I don’t believe in forcing a child to sit in one spot and fake-smile at the camera. I like to let children run around and capture the laughter that brightens up their faces. Does that sound too cheesy? When working with older children, seniors and families, I don’t do rigid posing, either. I give general directions for how I want the photo to look, then I let the subject take over and make it their own. For example, I’ll tell a Senior guy to lean against a wall and position his hands in a way he’d do naturally, as if talking to his friends. This gives a more relaxed and comfortable feel to my portraits.

As far as how we came to live in Morgan City, it was because of Katrina in an indirect way. After getting his MBA from Tulane, my husband had a hard time finding work in LA, so we wound up in Alexandria, VA, outside of Washington DC. We were there for 6 months before we decided we wanted to be closer to family and to be back in our home state, so we wound up here in Morgan City.

We have a 2 1/2 year old son, Hayden and are expecting another baby in late October. We really love living here and the feeling of a close-knit community. Meeting so many new people through my business has made me feel like a part of the community!