Meet Jackie Marcos | Photographer

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

Hi Jackie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The best decision I made for my business was to just show up as me, unapologetically. I grew up as a total “corporate girly,” where I was taught to always be super professional—almost robotic—to impress the higher-ups. For a long time, I thought if I didn’t act that way with my clients, they wouldn’t take me seriously. But honestly? The opposite was true.

A photo session—especially something as personal as a newborn shoot or an elopement—is nothing like a corporate setting, and it shouldn’t feel like one. The best way to bring out real emotions and personalities is by being yourself, whether that’s loud and silly or soft and sweet. When clients see that you’re just a regular person like them, they relax—and that’s when the sweetest, most genuine moments happen.

The same goes for social media. That’s how you find your people. There are 8 billion people in the world—you’re not going to be the right fit for everyone, and that’s totally fine. But by showing up as yourself, sharing your humor and personality, you naturally attract the people who do vibe with you. And when that happens, you’re not just booking clients—you’re building connections, sometimes even real friendships. I can’t tell you how many new clients will bring up funny things I’ve posted online, or how many DM’s I have replying to something saying “I can’t wait for the day I can book you” just because they view you as their friend online by the way you are showing up!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art has evolved throughout the years and I think that’s important. My job is to capture human connection, but I’m human and I’m not the same person I was when I first started. As I began to becomes more secure in my creative abilities, my art changed. I’m no longer solely focused on getting a perfect portrait at every session. Do I try? Sure – but I tell my clients (especially clients with toddlers) that it may or may not happen and that’s ok! I want to capture you and your family exactly as you are in this season of life. I think my “wherever the wind takes us” personality at photoshoots sets me apart. Don’t get me wrong – I always have a plan, and go to prompts and poses, but I can also pivot really quickly if I have to. I also like to treat kids like small adults. I don’t baby talk them, or treat them like kids. I ask for their input, and what they think we should do next. Sometimes I let them take a photo themselves which they always love to do. I always want to leave my clients happier than they met me, and even if they leave the photoshoot a little defeated because their toddler didn’t cooperate, I often will get a response to their final gallery saying they couldn’t believe the amazing photos I got of their little ones.

I’m really proud of the way I manage the business side – I am extremely communicative, honest and straightforward with my clients. I hold their hands from the moment they inquire to when I deliver their gallery. I’ve even had some clients who have a specific vision for their project that I may not be able to deliver and I’m honest about it. I tell them what I CAN do for them and if that isn’t what they want, I’ve even gone as far as referring them to friends of mine who I know can. This really instills a trust between us where they know I’m not here just to take their money.

I have been doing this for almost 14 years and for the first 12, I was in higher education – I even got my masters in it. For most of that time I worked full time, went to grad school, and scheduled photoshoots whenever I had free time. It ate up a lot of my social/family time that I’ll never get back but it created a foundation for my business that I needed in order for me to be able to do this full time.

Some lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes you just have to take a risk – sometimes I wish I would have gone full time sooner, but with that also comes the understanding that everything does happen it it’s own time. I’ve learned to trust my instincts – when something doesn’t feel right, don’t push it. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way both personally and with clients. It’s really easy to blame clients or other people in the business for your own mistakes. I’ve learned to take a step back and figure out where I went wrong first and how I can avoid it in the future. If I’m going to work for myself, I want to make myself happy which means being as stress free as possible. I’m really passionate about having specific business practices in place to achieve this. When you’re a creative, it can be easy to fall into this chaotic / dreamy world of creativity and whimsy – but clients invest a lot in us and the final outcome and it’s important to be able to be there for them in that way as well.

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.
I am a true Miami Native so you won’t catch me sending you to the “trendiest” places:

First stop: Breakfast at Islas Canarias in Westchester for the best croquetas and cuban coffee.
Then head toward Coconut grove for some chill vibes – Barracudas, and Sandbar are where the locals chill. If we want a little fancier of a time then maybe Regatta on the Grove.
At night we can go to Ball & Chain in Little Havana if you want to dance and engulf yourself in the culture

The next day I’ll take you to Key Biscayne if you want to head to the beach and lets not forget Pizza & Ranch from Sir Pizza

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?
There are so many people I owe my success to. First, when I randomly declared I wanted to be a photographer one day to my parents – they helped me purchase my first little canon rebel, and bought me a $50 groupon to learn how to use it in manual mode. My best friend Debbie got me a subscription to a photography magazine when I first started. I owe a lot of my success to my Friend Dianah – she was my first true client 12 years ago, and referred me to so many people who in turn would refer me out to their own friends. I can probably trace back 85% of my current clients back to her if I wanted to do the math. My friend Ashley was my number one champion to quit my 9-5 and do this full time and without her pushing me, I’m not sure I ever would have. Every single ride or die client who comes back year after year, and refers me out to their friends and families, I wouldn’t be here without them either. I’m really lucky to have a great support system in so many people.

Website: https://www.jmpmia.com

Instagram: @jmpmiami_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmpMiami/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jackelyn-marcos-photography-miami

Image Credits
Jackelyn Marcos Photography