Meet Your Local Photographer: Josie Marie
Hey, I’m Josie
Wow, I can’t thank you enough for visiting my website and clicking on this blog to learn more about the photographer behind the camera. That truly speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. Perhaps you clicked here to read the first line and move on, or maybe you genuinely want to learn more about me. Either way, I appreciate your presence here and hope for the opportunity to learn as much about you as you will about me.
When it comes to getting to know someone, there are two paths we can take: the surface-level details (small talk) and the captivating intricacies that truly define a person. Let’s delve into both realms to paint a more vivid picture of who I am.
Small Talk
Starting with the basics, I am a 23-year-old artist who was raised on a farm, surrounded by the warmth of my family. My high school experience was unique, graduating among a tight-knit group of 37 students. Now, I live with my lover in a house we renovated, and we share our lives with two pets: a St. Bernard/Bernese Mountain dog mix named Suki and my precious baby boy (Cat) Calvin. Suki and Cal are my best buddies. I never really understood the whole concept of loving your pets like they are your children until I had my own. And now I get it—I love them so much.
Now that you know the surface-level stuff, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, into the heart of what truly drives me: the aspirations, passions, values, and mantras that shape my soul. These elements, which I refer to as my soul characteristics, form the bedrock of my identity and my creative endeavors.
Dive Deeper
Within me reside a multitude of dreams, each a unique facet of my aspirations. I envision myself as a poet, a painter, a gardener, an author, an avid photographer, a baker, a traveler, and so much more. Through all of these dreams, my biggest aspiration is to be a mother. I feel empowered by my body and all the magic it can create—the shapes, the shifts, the creating, and the changing. Our bodies are art in themselves. I look forward to the days when I have a family of my own and raise tiny spirits that can be anything and everything they want to be.
While I am on my steadfast journey of being a photographer, I don’t have any limits in place for the art to wander. Someday I would like to write a book, paint a self portrait, and become a homesteader. I want chickens, cows, and little humans running around outside. I want the ebbs and flows of life to all be surrounded by art, love, and family.
Right now, my life is a whirlwind of change—swift shifts, unexpected turns, and continuous motion. It’s exhausting, but I find myself thriving amidst the chaos. I fully embrace change and constantly crave it, while others may sometimes resist. I was writing about this in my journal the other week and came to the conclusion that chaos is my comfort zone and stillness is difficult for me. Perhaps this is a byproduct of toxic hustle culture? In my journaling practice, I am learning how to embrace stillness while also navigating my fast-paced life. I can’t help but wonder who I could become in 3 months, 7 months, a year. I am constantly evolving and ever-changing through life.
Sylvia Plath says it best, “I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones, and variations of mental and physical experiences possible in my life.” I resonate deeply with this. There are many quotes that really speak true and I love to highlight them in my monthly newsletters. Follow along with me and my monthly musings.
Here’s The Stone Cold Truth
I may not be everything I want to be in this life, but I can create art, and that is more than enough.
Being a photographer means so much more to me than just a job. Anyone can take pretty pictures of your family or your wedding day. You can probably name five photographers off the top of your head who do great work. For me, this is deeper than surface level imagery.
The concept of time has truly changed for me these past couple of years. When parents and those older than me used to say, “Time moves so fast…” I didn’t understand until now. And I am sure I won’t fully understand until I have a family of my own someday. As time slips through our fingers, I want to immortalize moments in your life for your family. Your legacy is not just forced smiles in a pretty field. It’s so much more special than that. Your story matters to me, and I want to depict your story through your photos. I want to capture Sunday morning pancakes and orange peel smiles. I want to freeze the laughter on your 6-year-old child’s face the moment dad would start tickling them. I want you to look back and remember how tiny their toes were at just a few months old, how their teeth were few and far between when they smiled, how your body was strong enough to carry life over and over again and is still so beautiful. Each photograph serves as a testament to the richness of human experience and the enduring legacy of love, growth, and connection. Time is a filthy thief, and although I can’t stop it, as a photographer I can stretch it and help immortalize it for you.
