Jordyn Volk
Jordyn Volk, owner of Jordyn Photography, never set out to be a full-time photographer. Growing up in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and attending Minnesota State University of Moorhead for a degree in graphic design, photography was just something she did on the side. But life has a way of unfolding unexpectedly, and many years, multiple moves, and countless photoshoots later, Jordyn has built a thriving photography business in Aberdeen.
Jordyn’s photography journey began with weddings. It was exciting and rewarding, but as her own family grew, she realized how demanding the industry could be. Wedding photography often meant 12-to-14-hour days, from early morning preparations to late-night receptions—an exhausting schedule that left little room for weekends with her family.
Recognizing the need for balance, Jordyn decided to pivot, shifting her focus to newborn and maternity photography. This niche not only allowed Jordyn more freedom to be home with her family but also required her to hone her craft further. Posing and handling newborns demands a high level of care and expertise, and Jordyn invested time and effort flying across the country and internationally to learn the best practices. For her, ensuring the safety and comfort of both parent and baby during sessions is paramount.
With maternity photography, Jordyn strives to make expectant mothers feel beautiful and cherished during a transformative time in their lives. Pregnancy brings countless physical and emotional changes, and Jordyn ensures her clients feel pampered by offering an array of elegant dresses for them to choose from. Her goal is to make every session an empowering and memorable experience.
Jordyn’s business acumen stems from her time working as a graphic designer for a small sign company. Collaborating closely with the business owner, she learned three invaluable lessons: the importance of hard work, providing exemplary customer service, and - arguably the most important for any small business owner in a small town- fostering community connections.
In a town like Aberdeen, South Dakota, word-of-mouth and referrals are the most effective forms of advertising. Jordyn understands that a business speaks for itself through the experiences it offers. While she maintains a social media presence as a resource for potential clients, she knows that her reputation and relationships drive most of her bookings. This became even clearer when her social media pages were hacked, and she lost 15,000 followers across platforms. Despite this setback, her business thrived, proving the strength of her community ties.
Giving back to the community is integral to Jordyn’s work. She founded the Hub City Baby Expo with the assistance of a local doula to support mothers and families beyond photography. She didn’t just want to capture beautiful moments but also provide access to resources for navigating pregnancy, motherhood, fertility, and reproductive health—needs she realized were underserved when she had her first daughter. Five years later, the Hub City Baby Expo, held every May, draws around 500 attendees and offers a wealth of resources, from baby products to guidance on fertility challenges. By keeping the event small and intimate, Jordyn ensures it remains a meaningful resource for the community rather than a commercialized spectacle.
Jordyn knows firsthand that building a business is about much more than offering a great service. Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple but profound:
Educate Yourself: Take finance and business classes. Knowing how to manage the operational side of a business is just as important as excelling in your craft.
Find a Mentor: Jordyn credits much of her success to the guidance she received from others in the industry. Now, she’s committed to paying that forward by mentoring those who want to follow a similar path.
There are many lessons to learn from Jordyn's story, but the biggest is to keep evolving. Whether pivoting her career to balance family and passion or turning her challenges into opportunities to serve her community, Jordyn exemplifies the creativity required to build a meaningful life and business.
