We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Ogden and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, what is the most important factor behind your success?
As an equine branding photographer, the most important factor behind the success of my business has been passion. I truly love what I do. Horses have impacted my life in the most profound way and anytime I get to work with them and the people who love them, my soul feels like its on fire. Beyond that, I get to help small businesses succeed by reaching more customers. I love the tenacity needed to build and sustain a brand so partnering with them is always a rewarding adventure. Lastly, marketing is in essence really great storytelling and stories have captivated for me as long as I can remember. After trying many different professional roles within the industry, I found the sweet spot where my abilities and my passions align and that makes everyday a success.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The path to where I am today was not easy. It came with a lot of confusion and fear, but every step of the way was worth it. My art focuses on a small portion of a large animal (the horse) and illuminates it in a way that exudes elegance. I am inspired by lines and the natural movement of these powerful creatures and it’s my hope that when hung on a wall, they instantly bring luxury to that space. On the branding side of my business, I combine my photography skills with my extensive experience marketing in the equine industry. I am able to think of the end goal of images and how they’ll be used in marketing so I can create powerful images that drive conversion.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would take the dogs for a walk around White Rock Lake and take in the beautiful scenic sites of the rolling hills full of tall grasses and the shimmering sun atop the waves. Next, we would head over to Steam Theory Brewing Company for a beer and wings tasting flight. It’s the best if you like wings and beer. They marry a flavor of wings that pairs well with a beer tasting and you’ll leave very happy. We would probably also explore the Bishop Arts District which is full of great makers and interesting shops. Lastly, we would have to hit up the stock yards to watch the longhorn drive, take a walk through the John Wayne museum, grab a fancy cocktail at the beautiful Drover Hotel, and enjoy some live country music.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people. My husband has been my rock through the scary ups and downs of entrepreneurship. He is always the first to cheer my decisions on and is always a shoulder to cry on when I’m feeling low. I couldn’t do anything without his love and support. My first boss in the industry, Jeffrey Schab, also deserves a shout out. He saw that I was capable of so much more than I could think of and invested in me. He always pushed me to learn more facets of the industry and trusted me to take more responsibilities onto my plate. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. Lastly, my business coach, Katie Wussow, has been an anchor for me in my quest to build my business. She gave me a framework for building a profitable business and helped me get started on the right foot.
Website: https://jessogden.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_road_jess_traveled/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-ogden-21a900aa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theroadjesstraveled.photo/
Image Credits
The headshot of me is by Katie Jameson.
What a beautifully articulated journey and amazing photography.