Rising Stars: Meet Jillian Bode

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Bode.

Hi Jillian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started taking photos all the way back in high school!! I’ve always been super creative and photography became a fun hobby that allowed me to share how I saw the world. My favorite thing was (& still is!) capturing all the cute spots around KC & sharing it on Instagram.

Throughout college, I started taking brand photos, family pictures, & senior portraits with several clients. I discovered how much I love capturing special moments in people’s lives. After graduating from UMKC, I took a leap and started my own photography business!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a May 2020 graduate, I can definitely say it’s not been a completely smooth road!! During the pandemic, there wasn’t a huge need for professional photos since so many businesses were shut down and families were in lockdown. Thankfully I was able to use that time to refine my skills, develop my personal brand, & build the foundation of my business.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Style-wise, I definitely have a knack for capturing light, fun, & unique photos. I love to document the special moments in people’s lives but lately I’ve been capturing what typically goes undocumented. Like, what’s something you wouldn’t think to get professional photos of? Let’s tell that story and show how it’s also special and also significant enough to be remembered.

I’m all about building genuine relationships with my clients and using my lens to capture the beauty I see in each subject. Not just physical beauty but the spark of the moment, the joy of a milestone, or the hard work behind a brand. Each gallery I deliver tells a story that not only allows my clients to relive those moments but also to share that story with their community.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Take. The. Risk. I think that there is always more to be gained by taking a risk than to lose. I’m a big fan of living life to the fullest! I’d rather look back and say, “oh well!” than say “what if?”

I also think as entrepreneurs, it’s so important to take messy action. For example, launching a business in the middle of a pandemic definitely wasn’t ideal. But we can’t sit around and wait for everything to be perfect. We need to step up and move forward even if we aren’t 100% ready. The world needs what you have to offer!!

Contact Info:

• Email: jillian23bode@gmail.com
• Website: jillianbode.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jillianbrookephoto, instagram.com/jillianbrookeb