But you probably didn’t come here to read that. I’m an incorrigible bookworm and a nonfiction junkie. I run a portrait photography business, where my focus is getting people to have as much fun as possible and then decorate their homes with the results afterward. I believe that photography can change how people feel about themselves, even if just for a moment, and that makes my job the best in the world.
Sounds like a very familiar story – I got my B.S. in Psychology and my M.S. in Mental Health Counseling. I am now a photographer both by choice and circumstance. I do alot of street shooting and feel like I’ve learned more about people in that capacity than I ever did through mental health work; it’s also a lot less draining and much more rewarding.
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Lisa Levock Reply:
January 2nd, 2012 at 4:42 am
I can relate…BA in Psychology and an MA in Counseling…it’s funny how these studies do prepare you for a career in photography 
I’m glad to have found your blog and facebook page! I look forward to catching up on all your posts…Happy New Year
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Kristen Clayville Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Ha! I have my undergrad in Film Production and Master’s degree in Social Work. Thank god we have these mental health degrees because I seriously feel like we can work with any person on the planet. Give me an overbearing mother-in-law any day, that’s easy!!!
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Megan K. Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 3:45 am
This is so interesting. I got a BA in Studio Art, then got a Masters in Social Work. Haha. I have worked with all kinds of people in the mental health world, that I feel like I’ll be able to handle any kind of client now that I’m getting ready to start my photo business!
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BA in psychology, mom of three girls, stay at home homeschool mom turned photographer and trying to make a go of it. Loving your website. Thanks!
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“Non-fiction junkie”! Love that very much.
Great site. I look forward to seeing your updates.
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I clicked on your “About” link to learn your name… and it still eludes me. I’d like to give due credit when reposting your articles, which are always well written and worthy of the time it takes to read them. Perhaps this information is posted elsewhere on your site – am I simply not seeing it?
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Stumbled upon your site and am already loving what I’m reading. I have an undergrad is Social Work and a partial Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy AND I too have a background in mental health! I have always loved photography but until recently haven’t been “serious” about it and am in a “soaking up knowledge” phase. Thank you for writing great articles to learn from!
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Jenika Reply:
April 11th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Laura! 
So cool to see how many people with psych backgrounds ended up interested in photography.
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great idea for a website! It’s very interesting to read your thoughts on the client/photographer relationship. Keep up the good work!
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Ok, I just saw you’re based in Kansas City! Me. TOO! Haha.
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Jenika-
You are an answer to prayer! Last year, I dropped $3400 to go to a workshop with a very highly respected photographer. Although it was a fun experience….I left feeling like I had wasted my money. I gained some knowledge in Lightroom, album design, and the importance of branding…. but I still had no idea why i wasn’t booking more clients or what to do about it. When I got home, I told my husband that I wanted to research and write about the psychology of photography and prospective clients. With a degree in psychology, I always find this stuff fascinating. It was a great idea, but I had no idea where to start or the time to even attempt it. I came across your website this week and almost started crying… All the information that I could want, right at my finger tips!!! I haven’t closed my browser in days…. I’m just soaking it all up and loving it.
Thank you so much for all your hard work and time spent to accumulate all this information in one place. You are truly a God send.
All my best,
Michelle
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Jackie Spell Reply:
March 26th, 2013 at 3:55 am
Amen! Amen! I stumbled on this website and I lost it (due to new computer etc…). Well, I am back and I am glad you shared this story.
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I just stumbled across your blog and I can’t wait to get home tonight to read all of these amazing articles… Wow, I’ve never come across anything like this before!!
rebecca massimino recently posted..Eva’s FIVE! ~ Boynton Beach Child Photography
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Ha. I’m a traffic engineer (with a thriving psychology hobby), a portrait photographer, and blogger.
Busy – but I love it!
Ryan recently posted..How to Create a Gorgeous Photography Website with SmugMug in 90 Minutes – A Complete Step-By-Step Tutorial
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Loving the website. It’s very interesting to get a psychologist’s view on things. Sales and marketing is all about psychology so your website is a fantastic combination.
Dan Waters recently posted..Don’t make photography resolutions – plan a better life
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Hi Jenika, I love your blog and website. Much like you, I’m too, an academic that turned to photography. I have M.A in political psychology and a PhD in communication. I think that it is not surprising to find lots of photographers with an advance experience in academia. I find photography–among many other things–to be almost the exact opposite then academia.
Photography comes from the heart first – it gear to and aimed at people’s emotions rather then intellect.
Although it is a mediated form of communication, it reads as unmediated.
And most importantly (at least for me as a researcher) it is immediate and fast. You feel, compose, and click – you capture an aspect or element of reality. No hypothesis, stats and validation is required.
In any case, I really love your writing and hope you continue sharing your experience and wisdom. They are much needed!
Cheers,
Naor
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Hi Jenika,
Hope you are well?
Just posted a link from your blog in a linkedin discussion on wannabe’s and pro’s versus fee’s etc.
I didn’t bother entering into the discussion as your fine blog will give all food for thought and some more followers for you too I think.
Best wishes
Murray
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I LOVE this blog. Seriously…finally….someone speaking from a logical point of view. Thank you….it’s the conversations I’ve been craving to have with someone who WON’T get offended.
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