Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Blanc.
Jillian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Minneapolis-based destination wedding and elopement photographer documenting stories on digital, film, and Super 8. My relationship with photography started really early. When I was little, I used to steal my dad’s film camera and take photos of everything. My family would always get me disposable cameras, and I’d fill them up with photos of my friends, pets, flowers, anything I could. I’ve always just wanted to remember everything.
Growing up, both of my parents were flight attendants, so we traveled all over. I think that shaped how I see the world and why I’m so drawn to documenting it. Looking back, it only makes sense that I now get to travel for a living and tell other people’s stories along the way.
I got my first point and shoot in late elementary school and carried it with me everywhere. In college, I upgraded to my first DSLR because I wanted to take better photos while traveling. Around that time, I met a few photographers and we would run around together, swapping headshots and doing creative shoots just for fun. It was always something I loved, but I never imagined it becoming my full time career.
That shifted when a friend asked me to photograph her engagement session. I said yes right away, but when she later asked me to photograph her wedding, I initially said no because that was way too scary. She asked again a few months later, and I decided to go for it. I spent that year shadowing other photographers and learning as much as I could. After photographing my first wedding, I was completely hooked. I felt so lucky to be trusted with something so meaningful. Being able to preserve people’s memories in a way they can return to forever really felt like a gift, and I knew this was what I wanted to do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like anyone starting a business, nothing really comes easily and nothing just falls into place. You have to work for it, and a lot of it is learning as you go.
Photography is a unique path because there isn’t one clear way to learn it. You’re not really following a traditional structure, so you end up relying a lot on mentors, experience, and your own trial and error to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Having a business background helped on the operational side, but the creative side is so personal. It’s about your eye and how you see the world.
A big part of the journey was learning how to use different types of cameras, film, and lighting in a way that actually matched what I had in my head. At the same time, I was learning how to work with people, how to make them feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, and how to create an environment where they can just be themselves.
There have been a lot of lessons along the way, and a lot of figuring things out in real time. But I think that process is what helps you refine your style and build a business that actually feels like you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Minneapolis-based destination wedding and elopement photographer documenting stories on digital, film, and Super 8. My work blends a documentary approach with an editorial feel, focusing on both the big moments and the in-between.
I specialize in weddings that feel personal and immersive, and I love working with couples who care about the experience as much as the photos. Shooting across multiple formats allows me to capture a day in a layered, nostalgic, and intentional way.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients give me. I think what sets me apart is my decade of experience working across multiple formats, along with my ability to genuinely connect with my couples and document them in a way that feels natural, unposed, and authentic.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
This is a high risk high reward kind of job. You need to bet on yourself. Quitting my full time job was one of the scariest things I’ve done, but as soon as I did it was almost like the universe was like, here you go. I was getting dream inquiries, being able to travel and connect with people all over the world. I invested in education and workshops and from those I was able to expand my reach and book more work in places I could really ever only dream of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jillianblanc.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jillian_blanc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillianblancphotography/
