Jacki Pabst Photography based in El Dorado County, CA, turns fleeting moments into lasting memories—with a laugh or two along the way. Jacki doesn’t just take photos—she captures stories and personalities with a touch of magic, blending her classic style with an easygoing approach that instantly puts clients at ease.
Spotlight Summary
Meet Jacki — a portrait photographer based in El Dorado County, California. In this interview, Jacki emphasizes her classic true-to-color style and the importance of personalized photo sessions, especially for high school seniors. She shares tips for how to get the most from your photos, and advice for both entrepreneurs and newlyweds beginning their journeys. In short, Jacki captures memories, cracks jokes and creates magic. And with that—onto the interview.
Vendor Spotlight: Jacki Pabst Photography
Q: Welcome here! Please begin with telling us who you are, what you do & where we can find you!
A: My name is Jacki Pabst and I’m a photographer located in El Dorado County—specifically Cameron Park for the locals. I offer photography services more or less in El Dorado, Placer and Sacramento County. My focus is senior and family portraits, with the occasional low-key wedding sprinkled in throughout the year. You can find me on Instagram @jackipabst.photography, Facebook under Jacki Pabst Photography or at my website, www.jackipabstphotography.com.
Q: How long have you been a photographer?
A: I have always enjoyed photography. Before kids, my husband and I traveled a lot, and I always brought my camera. I started with landscapes and black-and-white photography, bringing along a “cool” roll of film—yes, that dates me—and waiting forever to get it developed once we got home.
As life got busier, I fell out of photography for a while. But after my daughter was born—she’s going on 13—I started really getting back into it by capturing her pictures. It was experimental for a long time, which was really fun, as I played with settings and learned how to create a good image. I look back on those photos with love, but also think, “Oh my gosh, what was I doing with that lighting?!”
Q: When did you start your photography business and grow it from just a hobby?
A: I’m going on 10 years that I’ve had my little side-business, and it’s been a legit business now for five years. They always say, “Don’t turn a hobby into your business.” But I still love the art of photography and I love the business part of it too.
Q: How would you describe your style of photography?
A: My love is for classic photography. In 20 years, I don’t want to look back and wonder, “Why was everything in brown or green tones?” I like true-to-color images—but a rich, vibrant, and bold version of that. Every chance I get, I fine-tune my style and hone in on why people are drawn to my art. Because we all are drawn to different things—art, cars, colors, styles, everything.
Q: What trends are you seeing with photography?
A: The rusty-brown style has been trending for a while, and now green hues—almost like a Polaroid look—are really popular. But I’m cautious of trends because, in 10 years, will you really want to showcase a trend from a decade ago? I think about my hair in the ’80s, and honestly, I don’t want to see that on my walls every day. That’s why I prefer something more long lasting and classic. Right now, a big trend in photography is moving away from posed shots and capturing more candid, close-up moments. I love the candid look, but most of my clients want a mixture of posed and candid so that is what I strive for.
Q: How do you personalize a photo session to fit each client??
A: I like to feature what you’re interested in. If you’re interested in skateboarding, playing guitar, reading, knitting—whatever it is, let’s feature it! And if you aren’t sure what you are into, I can help you find a way to make your photos unique to you. Interested in music? Let’s go to a record studio and take photos! Or if there’s a local coffee shop you and your friends always like to hang out in, let’s take some photos there.
Q: What should clients wear for their photo session?
A: For weddings, clients usually already have their outfits planned, so we know what to expect. For high school seniors, it’s important to choose clothing that’s comfortable and versatile. I recommend something like jeans or pants that allow you to sit and move easily, while avoiding short skirts that can limit poses.
The number of outfits depends on the session length. For a short session, one outfit is usually enough. For longer sessions over an hour, typically people will do two or three. If seniors have their cap and gown, we’ll definitely include photos with that too.
Q: What’s your advice for planning family photos?
A: When planning family photos, think about what your home decor looks like. If your decor is mostly neutral, choose backgrounds and outfits that complement those tones—after all, you’ll likely want to frame and display these images for years. Seasonal props, like a Christmas tree, can be fun, but consider that you’ll probably take them down once the holidays are over.
In my home, I have a gallery wall where I leave the frames in place and simply swap out the photos each year, creating layers of memories over time. I can also help customize a wall if you’d like. The key is to choose a style and colors that match your space and have a spot in mind where the photos will shine.
Q: How do you help people feel more comfortable during a photography session?
A: I like to tell people it’s okay to feel awkward sometimes. My go-to move to help them loosen up? I joke around a lot. For example, I might tease a dad: “I know you don’t want your picture taken, but trust me—you’re gonna have a good time.” Ninety-nine percent of the time, they end up saying, “That wasn’t so bad!” For kids, I often have a little toy to give them at the end, so there’s something to look forward to. I love connecting with people and making everyone feel comfortable.
Q: What is your advice to anyone who gets professional photos?
A: My biggest push is this: so many people get photos taken, and then… they don’t do anything with them. I try to encourage clients to print their pictures—whether that means sitting down together after a wedding, meeting for a family session, or just showing them how to do it themselves. As a photographer, it drives me crazy when clients spend time and money on photos, then print them a convenience store. Your images deserve a quality printer so you can truly enjoy them in your home. A well-printed photo will make you smile every time you walk past it.
When people have a session, their gallery is uploaded online, and they can order directly from that page—or I can handle it for them. You can order prints, canvases, or photo books. Photo books are especially popular right now for grads and weddings because all your images are together in one place. Lay-flat books look great on a coffee table, and there’s something special about holding your photos and reliving the moments. My boys still love looking through their baby photo book.
Canvas prints are also trendy, and I recommend ordering them for weddings or senior portraits—something meant to last. For family photos, though, you might want prints or frames you can switch out each year to keep things fresh.
Q: How should people vet a photographer to see if they are the right fit?
A: First, find someone that’s responsive and you are able to connect with. You want to make sure you jive well with them—especially if it’s a big event. The last thing you want is a photographer you don’t click with. This is your special day—you want someone who’s in sync with you, guiding you gently without stepping on your toes, so that you’re enjoying your day.
Second, make sure any photographer you’re considering has a legitimate business—this is important for your protection. There are a lot of people who take photos for fun, but they might not have the business mindset to actually deliver your photographs back to you in a timely fashion, if at all. And sometimes things happen! A real professional photographer will have insurance and coverage where if something happens, you’re not in a loss situation.
Third, make sure you understand and sign a contract, especially if you are investing any amount of money into your photos. Know what your end of the deal is and that you’re getting what you want. When I go through my contract with clients, I try to be very clear about what I am required to provide and that you have the rights to the images. Some photographers might hold the images, so you don’t get them until you buy prints. Or let’s say you only pay a session fee, and then you have to pay an additional fee for the photos. Make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to.
Q: How would you briefly describe your process and tiers of sessions?
A: The way I structure my sessions is simple: you pay a set fee and receive a specific number of hand-edited images—not AI-retouched. Lately, some photographers deliver hundreds of quickly edited images, but honestly, how many will you truly use? Even at a wedding, you might only have a dozen or two pictures that are like, truly, truly your favorites worth showcasing. That’s why I focus on quality over quantity, hand-editing each image to look pristine.
I also provide lightly edited images so clients can pick their favorites to be hand-edited. If you have trouble deciding, you can always purchase the full gallery, and I’ll carefully hand-edit every single photo. My goal is to make sure your pictures are beautiful and enjoyable—not just left forgotten on a computer.
Q: How do you like to engage with your local industry?
A: I’m big on community over competition, embracing collaboration and learning from those around me. I love all the people in our industry mixer group, and I am also a part of the Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce. In our area, there’s a strong desire for people to support one another, and I love that. I’m also big on shopping local and backing small businesses instead of the big corporate chains. I have a wedding coming up at the Cameron Park Country Club this October and I encourage my clients to use as many local vendors as possible. With weddings, I encourage my clients to use as many local vendors as possible.
Q: Do you have any advice for newlyweds?
A: Going on 16 years married next month and here is my advice—you may take it or leave it, whatever works for you. With the ups and downs of life, being able to laugh through it is huge. Keep an open mind and an open heart. Keep up your communication and make sure you make time for each other, like date nights. Oh, and if your partner is a grouchy driver, just choose to drive!
Q: Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs?
A: Maybe you’re great at your craft and think, “I should start a business!” But running a business takes more than being good at something. I recommend creating both a business plan and a marketing plan. Who is your ideal client? What need are you fulfilling? Where will you market your business? Track your leads—ask people how they found you—and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone.
You also need to understand insurance requirements and legal paperwork. The county is always a great reference for that information. If you want to look like a legit business, present yourself professionally: high-quality photos on your website, a presence on Google, and consistent branding. Remember: you’ll either invest your time or pay someone else to handle tasks for you—there’s no free shortcut to running a professional business.
Q: What is next for Jacki Pabst Photography?
A: I would like to continue working with low-key couples and photograph intimate weddings—nothing outrageous. However, my strength will be working with high school seniors and helping them capture who they are at this huge milestone. Family portrait sessions will always be part of what I do as well. I’m excited about some joint marketing we’ve been creating with Jacki Pabst Photography, Blue Pearl Bridal & Occasion, Beauté by Erica, and Faith from Curl Up & Dye!
Conclusion
Thank you for joining me on getting to know Jacki and learning more about the photography services offered by Jacki Pabst Photography for graduating seniors, weddings and family portraits. Please visit her website for more information and to reach out with any questions you might have!
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