Photographer Jenna Gilmore of Chesterville.

Jenna Gilmore’s interest in photography started as a child. One of her first photos was of her grandmother and it became an award winner.

Gilmore, 24-year-old, has lived in Chesterville for seven years. She studied graphic communications at Central Maine Community College in Auburn and by day is an account manager at Cousineau Wood Products in North Anson.

But she also owns Moosely Portraits (www.mooselyportraits.com) and focuses on taking photos of people and special events in their lives. As part of her business, she has a closet full of clothes for her clients to use — everything from kids clothes to things for Dad and even maternity gowns for expecting mothers.

“This allows my clients to not stress so much about what they are wearing or have to buy. Secondly, my clients leave their session with a Polaroid photo so they can see one right away and have a little keepsake,” Gilmore wrote in an email. She also gives the people she photographs a gift of prints and maple syrup that she and her boyfriend make at their home.

How did you get interested in photography? I started my photography journey by entering in the Kingfield Festival Days photography contests as a child. One of the first photos I won a ribbon on was a picture I took of my grandmother taking a bath in a plastic tote, she wasn’t too happy with me when she saw that photo hanging on the wall for all the town to see.

Are there special types of photos you like to take? I focus on couples, maternity, and family sessions. I use prompts to direct my clients so they feel natural and unposed as I tell their story.

What do you like best about photography? I have made so many connections with people I would have never met if it wasn’t for my business. Near and far I even have clients out of state that make it a tradition to have family photos in Maine with their favorite photographer.

Another aspect that keeps me going is the feeling I get when I look through the photos after a session and you see the photo … that gets put on holiday cards, hung in the living room for all to see, and the one they will cherish even after their loved one is no longer with us. Being able to capture someone else’s love story and put it in a photograph to hold onto for the rest of their life has so much more meaning to it than just pressing a button.

What was your first camera you used? The very first camera I purchased to start my legal business was a Canon Rebel T6.

Is there a special type camera you use now? Why? I now use a Canon 6D Mark ii. I upgraded to a full frame camera so I could take wider shots and have a better bokeh background.

Why did you start your own business? When you’re a photographer you don’t typically work under other people unless you’re second shooting for weddings. I wanted to be my own boss, to have the freedom to make my own decisions!