We recently had the chance to connect with Jah Mitchell and have shared our conversation below.
Jah, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the quiet emotional labor that goes into creating a safe, welcoming space for my clients especially new moms who may be feeling vulnerable. People see the beautiful final images, but they don’t always see the gentle reassurance, the calming touches, the thoughtful pacing behind the scenes. As a photographer, I’ve built more than a business. I’ve built trust, confidence, and a space where people feel seen. That matters deeply to me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jah Mitchell, a Houston-based newborn and maternity photographer with a heart for storytelling and a deep love for celebrating growing families. I’ve been photographing professionally since 2014.
My journey into photography started with my son, who is the light of my life. After going through three rounds of IVF to have him, I knew how deeply I valued every moment of motherhood and how fleeting those early days truly are. I always dreamed of having more children, but life had other plans. Photography became my way of continuing to hold newborns, connect with families, and surround myself with the beauty and wonder of new life.
That passion led me to build a studio where families feel welcomed, supported, and celebrated. I now focus on newborn, maternity, child, and family portraits, blending classic portraiture with soft storytelling. Whether I’m gently posing a sleeping baby, guiding a glowing mama-to-be, or helping a toddler feel like a star, my goal is always the same: to create meaningful, lasting memories.
Right now, I’m expanding my seasonal offerings and adding more lifestyle elements to my studio space, but at the heart of it all, newborn photography remains my greatest joy and passion.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to be quiet to be accepted that keeping my feelings to myself made things easier for everyone else. I didn’t think my voice or perspective mattered all that much, so I became really good at blending in, staying in the background.
It wasn’t until I went through my fertility journey 3 rounds of IVF, heartbreak, and finally the joy of becoming a mother that I realized how much strength I was holding inside. That experience changed me. It showed me that my story, my voice, and my emotions were powerful, and that sharing them could actually help others feel seen and less alone.
Now, as a photographer, I don’t hide behind the camera. I connect through it. I bring all of myself into my work: my empathy, my story, my strength. And I help my clients do the same in front of the lens.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, during my third round of IVF, I reached a point where I almost gave up. The emotional and physical toll was overwhelming. After each failed attempt, I felt like I was losing a piece of myself. I questioned everything my body, my strength, even my future. There were nights I cried quietly, not wanting to burden anyone, and days I went through the motions with a smile that didn’t feel real.
But somewhere in that darkness, I held on to hope. I reminded myself why I started why becoming a mother mattered so much to me. And eventually, that hope led me to my son, who is now the heart of my world.
That experience changed everything. It gave me a deeper sense of empathy, patience, and perspective. It also led me to the work I do now. Photographing newborns is more than a job to me. It’s a healing space, a way to honor the journey that brought me here. Every time I hold a new baby in my arms, I feel that same deep sense of gratitude. It’s my way of giving back, of holding space for others who may be carrying silent battles of their own.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
For a long time, I believed that if I just worked hard, stayed quiet, and didn’t ask for too much, everything would eventually fall into place. I thought good things would come to those who were patient, kind, and didn’t make waves. But as I went through my journey of infertility, motherhood, and building a photography business, I realized how much that belief was holding me back.
Running a business and especially working in a creative field like photography requires more than just hard work behind the scenes. It requires confidence, visibility, and a clear voice. I had to learn to advocate for myself, to set boundaries, and to lead from both heart and strength. That shift changed everything.
Now, I bring that energy into my sessions. I create a space where families, especially new mothers, feel seen, safe, and celebrated. Because I know how important that is. And I’m not afraid to take up space anymore. I show up fully in my business, not just as a photographer, but as a woman who’s walked through the hard things and found purpose on the other side.
Letting go of that old belief helped me grow into the artist and mother I was meant to be.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think some people may see my legacy as “just photography” beautiful images, cute babies, styled sets and not realize the emotional depth behind it all. What I do is so much more than clicking a shutter. It’s about creating space for families to pause, to breathe, and to celebrate a fleeting, sacred moment. It’s about helping mothers feel beautiful at a time when they often feel most vulnerable. It’s about honoring the miracle of new life even when that journey wasn’t easy.
What people may not see is the quiet resilience behind my work. After going through years of infertility and IVF to have my son, every newborn I photograph feels like a little reminder of my own journey. Holding these babies isn’t just part of my job it’s part of my healing. And it’s a way for me to pour love into the families who walk through my doors.
My hope is that my legacy isn’t just about pretty photos but about how I made people feel seen, held, and celebrated during the most meaningful seasons of their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jahmitchellphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahmitchell/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jahmitchellphotography
Image Credits
Credit for my personal photo: Maverick Photo Co
