Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Weaver.
Hi Jamie , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From Crime Scenes to Love Scenes: How I Accidentally Became a Photographer in Savannah
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland—home of blue crabs, “hon,” and a slightly alarming number of crime dramas. Naturally, I thought I’d lean into that gritty charm and become a crime scene photographer. So I packed my bags and headed south to attend SCAD in Savannah.
Plot twist: art school is expensive. Like really expensive. So instead of studying photography full-time, I earned a BS in Criminal Justice and minored in photography—basically preparing for a life of law and lenses.
Then came marriage. Then a baby. And suddenly, working long hours photographing crime scenes didn’t seem so dreamy. (Turns out, “blood spatter” doesn’t pair well with baby bottles.)
So I picked up my camera on weekends and started shooting weddings, families, and whatever else came my way. This was back in the film days—which, if you’ve never tried it, is like photography with a suspense plot. You snap the photo and pray you didn’t accidentally cut off Grandma’s head. Also? Film is expensive. And mistakes are… educational.
But I learned. A lot. I made it a habit to ask every client, “What could I have done better?” Sometimes their answers stung (like a bee wrapped in a Yelp review), but every piece of feedback made me better.
I also learned the magic words: “Would you mind leaving a positive review?”—and how to make it super easy for people to say yes. As my skill grew, so did my confidence—and my calendar. I even started hiring other photographers to help when I was booked up.
In 2024, I finally hired a full-time office manager (aka my organizational fairy godmother), and let me tell you, that was life-changing. I now get to be choosy with my shoots, taking on the ones that light me up—mostly dreamy tourist sessions, family portraits, and surprise proposals that make me cry like I’m watching a rom-com on a plane.
Turns out, I didn’t need crime scenes to tell powerful stories. I just needed a camera, some persistence, and not a big ego!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The $0 Birthday Party That Changed Everything
Let’s just say: the road to building a photography business was not paved with gold. More like potholes and panic attacks. One of my all-time lowest points? A birthday party that cost me money and my pride.
A woman hired me to photograph her adult birthday bash. She liked the idea of having a fancy backdrop, a photographer snapping candids, and even a little on-site printer for instant photos. The vibe was festive. The problem? No one wanted to actually buy the photos. They were thrilled to pose, smile, and take advantage of their own personal photographer—but when it came time to purchase a print? Crickets. Tumbleweeds. Ghost town.
I hadn’t charged her a dime up front—I was banking on print sales. Big mistake. By the time I paid the babysitter, I was negative dollars into the job. I came home, slumped on the couch, and told my husband, “That’s it. I have to charge at least $100 just to show up.”
I was terrified. What if no one ever hired me again? Spoiler alert: for a while, they didn’t.
But then, something amazing happened. The right clients—people who saw the value in having a professional photographer at their event—did start booking me. That $100 “just to show up” fee? It became $100 an hour. And it kept growing.
That rough night taught me two very important things: always charge for your time… and never underestimate how much a babysitter makes.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dream Weaver Photos and Photo Booths. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Faith, Family & Photo Booths
I’ve been a photographer in Savannah for over 20 years—and thanks to a lot of heart (and coffee), I’ve earned more five-star reviews than anyone else in town.
My business is built on Christian values. We treat people the way we’d want to be treated—whether they’re tying the knot, getting baptized, or posing with their dog in a bow tie.
My husband and I brought photo booths to Savannah years ago—it was his idea, and he helped run them until he retired (though he still pops in for snacks). We now own several, so clients get the best of both worlds: timeless portraits and hilarious prop-filled prints.
I’m also the volunteer photographer for Buy Local Savannah, Yelp Savannah, and Compassion Christian Church, where I photograph baptisms every Sunday morning.
And I’m not the only creative in the family—my daughter, Kaci, turns phone photos of pets into stunning watercolor portraits. She’s got my eye and a lot more patience with tiny brushes.
This business is truly a family effort, powered by faith, kindness, and one very full camera roll.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Sure! Just call me at 912-484-7990. We offer photography classes, and internships.
Pricing:
- $100 for ten min headshot session – price includes all the images, and they are all edited
- $300 – 30 min any session
- $500 an hour – family , wedding , surprise proposals, etc –
- $250/ hr photobooth
- All of my pricing includes unlimited downloads to unlimited emails, edits, high res photos, unlimited photos taken, experience and expertise
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dreamweaverphotos.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BGy2eT3Fd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
