Love Local with The List: Rock Photography

Between being a mum, a compliance consultant, a travel agent and a photographer, life is full-on for Jodie, founder of Rock Photography - and that’s exactly how she likes it!

Through her business lens Jodie captures everything from weddings to newborns, and she is on a mission to help people see themselves the way others do – confident, beautiful and completely themselves.

Read Jodie’s story here.

It all began with a Christmas joke about getting a camera - I never thought it would turn into four wedding seasons and counting.

Who I Am.

I’m Jodie - but generally speaking, only my Mum calls me Jodie so please feel free to call me Jode! I'm a 32-year-old boy mum to an energetic five-year-old, a compliance consultant, an independent travel agent and a photographer. Phew - life is busy!

But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love spending time with my son, husband, family and friends, especially down on the beach. However, as much as I adore Guernsey, I also love getting off the island, and I’m actually writing this from Spain right now!

How It All Started.

My photography business started one Christmas when I jokingly asked my husband if he fancied getting me a camera - since I’m always the one taking photos. To my surprise, he said yes! My friend (and great photographer) Paul Thomson helped me get a camera from another now-friend (and also great photographer) Ian Toms, and I guess the rest is history.

Paul helped me get to grips with my camera, and I started taking photos for friends. Things snowballed as their friends, families and co-workers started asking how much I charged - and the business was born. I said at the start this business would only ever be a little thing… but now I’ve just finished my fourth wedding season, so I guess that didn’t quite happen!

The best part is when clients look through their photos and are amazed by how good they look - because yes, you really do look that amazing!

What I Do.

What began as a few shoots for friends has now grown into a business that offers a bit of everything - family, business, weddings, newborn, maternity, dogs - and probably my favourite of all, boudoir photography.

Why boudoir? Because I want women to realise how amazing they are. Boudoir can sometimes get a bad rap for being sleazy, but it’s far from it. It’s completely relaxed and led by the client. Most of my sessions are for those celebrating a big birthday, getting married and wanting a gift for their partner, or for women who’ve had a baby and want to reconnect with themselves.

The best part is when clients look through their photos and are amazed by how good they look - because yes, you really do look that amazing!

My style is relaxed and natural. I prefer capturing moments as they happen rather than overly posed shots.

My Style

I like to keep things really approachable. I have ADHD, so I tend to ease any nerves by chatting away (usually nonsense!). My style is relaxed and natural. I prefer capturing moments as they happen rather than overly posed shots.

That relaxed approach runs through everything I do, right down to editing your gallery in the evening on my sofa with a tub of Pringles or Doritos beside me. (Crisps are definitely my weak spot!)

Why boudoir? Because I want women to realise how amazing they are.

Moments That Mean the Most.

There are so many highlights from behind the camera, but two in particular always come to mind: one filled with celebration, the other with courage.

The first is weddings - I absolutely love photographing them. They can be long, busy days and the editing takes time, but it’s such a privilege to capture those real, joy-filled moments that couples will look back on for years.

The second is a boudoir session, I’ll never forget – one client asked me to document her breast cancer and mastectomy journey. For privacy reasons I can’t share details, but I was truly honoured that she trusted me with something so personal. In what was such a frightening time, we actually had lots of laughs, and it’s a session that still makes me well up and smile.

The Challenges.

Like many small business owners, I’d happily hand over the accounts if I could! Thankfully my husband’s an accountant and helps me out, but even now, sitting here in October, I’m thinking, “I’ll need to sort my accounts for 2025 soon, and I really don’t want to!”

Another challenge, probably linked to the rejection sensitivity that comes with ADHD, is trying not to take it personally when friends follow other business accounts but not mine on social media. I’m a true believer in supporting everyone and wanting everyone to win, so sometimes I find that hard - even though I know I shouldn’t.

I’m all about relaxed, in-the-moment photography – and yes, most galleries are edited with a tub of crisps beside me.

Island Life.

There’s so much I love about Guernsey. I’m a big fan of the cliffs and beaches, and in the summer, if the weather’s good, that’s where you’ll find me. I’m lucky to live close to the sea, so I can pick my boy up from school and be on the beach within ten minutes.

Sometimes, though, I do get a bit of cabin fever - especially with photography. I see other photographers worldwide and the variety they have within an hour’s drive. As beautiful as Guernsey is, we don’t have mountain ranges or endless rolling fields. But then again, how many people can say they’ve taken wedding portraits on the edge of a cliff at golden hour? Probably not that many.

There’s something special about capturing people against a backdrop that feels like home, and for me, that’s what makes Guernsey magical.

A Few Things You Might Not Know.

What might surprise readers about me? Well, where do I start?

I have a terrible love for scampi fries, an even worse love for tequila, and although I go sea swimming all year round, I actually call it “sea walking” because I can’t really swim! The furthest I’ve ever swum was with my swim group, The Otters Pocket, from near the end of Rousse Pier back to shore (and no, it wasn’t a spring tide!).

I also used to be a pretty good flautist in my younger years, still play a bit of saxophone, and used to sing and play sax in three local bands - Party in Paris, Paper Saints and JnT (technically, JnT haven’t disbanded… we’ve just been on a really long hiatus!) Hopefully that balances out the love of scampi fries and tequila.

Why The List Loves Rock Photography.

We love Jodie's attitude to her work - and the varied way in which she approaches each shoot with gratitude and a deeper meaning. We also really admire her openness when it comes to online comparison culture and her ADHD diagnosis.

Rock Photography helps you capture the special moments in life that you want to capture. Services include weddings, maternity and newborn shoots, portraits of both humans and doggies, photos for your business and boudoir sessions.

Get in touch with Jodie to chat about your vision or book a session.