For some, balancing work and hobbies may be a lot to handle, but for one Lipscomb student, selling the products of two hobbies is her job.
Freshman Jamie Pratt got her first taste of photography when she was young and quickly developed a love for being behind the camera.
She eventually reached out to assist other Nashville photographers, which lead to photographing weddings. While this was something entirely new to Pratt, she realized she had uncovered a new passion.
“[Wedding photography] wasn’t my end goal, but they are probably one of my favorite things to shoot,” Pratt said. “It’s just such a fun atmosphere and there’s so many different aspects to take pictures of.”
Pratt’s photography business took off from there, as she built her client base and sold more of her work. She decided to put her photographic talent on display by building a website.
Aside from photographing weddings and snapping candids, Pratt said she also enjoys landscape photography.
“Capturing that moment with nature or something and getting that split second, where, if you’d waited a little longer, the picture wouldn’t have turned out,” she said.
Since Pratt launched her website, more photos having been selling and business is picking up. Pratt’s talent doesn’t stop with photography, though.
She also sells paintings and hand-painted shoes. Pratt said that she did not know she could paint until her senior year in high school. She said her paintings are usually inspired by photos she has taken or places she has been.
“I just like the things that have little details,” she said. “It’s always humbling when I can never get them perfectly right — it’s a weird reminder of just how much more power God has in the little creative things we’ll never be able to touch.”
When Pratt realized that painting was something she enjoyed, she decided to make gifts and cards for friends. This lead her to the idea of selling her work, giving her the momentum to continue painting. The money she makes selling her paintings, hand-painted shoes and photography goes towards raising money for missions.
Carousel photo by author, other photos by Jamie Pratt