Who I am

Hi, I’m Jodi Schaffan — a wife, a mom of four incredible kids, and a photographer who believes that the moments we live in matter far more than we realize.

I’m a graduate of Black Hills State University with a degree in Mass Communications and an emphasis in photography, but my love for this craft started long before that. At ten years old, I was already chasing moments — even if they were blurry photos of my favorite cat. Photography has always felt instinctual to me, like something I was meant to do.

Becoming a mother changed everything. Like so many parents, my children reshaped the way I see time, connection, and memory. They are the reason I photograph the way I do today — drawn to emotion, movement, light, and storytelling. I want images to feel alive, not posed. Honest, not perfect.

You’ll often hear photographers encouraged to “niche down.” I tried — and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I’m endlessly curious, always learning, and deeply inspired by variety. Studio light, natural light, harsh light, soft light — each one tells a story differently, and I love exploring them all. Every session, every family, every season deserves to be captured in a way that feels true.

The importance of photographs became deeply personal for me after losing my dad. The images we have of him are priceless — proof that photos are never just pictures. They are memories, legacy, and love held in your hands.

That’s what I want to create for you. Images that freeze time. Memories that grow more valuable with every passing year.