Behind many of Boerne Lifestyle’s most-loved images are two familiar names: Jessi Edison and Paula VM. As regular photographers for the magazine, they bring distinct perspectives: one rooted in warm, lifestyle storytelling, the other pursuing the bold and cinematic. We sat down with both creatives to talk about beginnings, style, and the inspiration that keeps them doing the work they love.
paulavmphotography.com | instagram.com/jessireneephoto
(Responses edited for length and clarity.)
How long have you been taking photos?
Jessi: I have been photographing for 14 years. I began when my son was one, initially shooting for friends and family. Over time, it organically developed into my business.
Paula: I have been taking photos for most of my life. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and visual composition, and photography became the medium where I could build worlds, capture presence, and create something lasting. Professionally, I have spent years refining my craft into a luxury, experience-based studio that blends portraiture with fine art.
How did you get your start?
P: I came from a creative background and spent time in the film world, where I learned how much lighting, mood, and intention can transform an image. When I stepped into photography, I approached it the same way, not as a service, but as a craft. I built my business through momentum and community. When I moved to Boerne, I didn’t know anyone. So I networked hard, met people, collaborated, showed up consistently, and treated my work like a business from day one. That mix of artistry and strategy is what helped me grow quickly and become established here, and I love it.
J: I actually started by photographing my own children. When I shared those images, people began asking if I would photograph their children as well. I started primarily as a baby and toddler photographer, and over time, my work naturally expanded into many other areas.
Describe your style.
J: Lifestyle, natural light, clean, warm, and connection-focused. I strive to create images that feel effortless and true to the people in front of my lens.
P: My style is bold, cinematic, and intentionally crafted. It is expressive and dramatic, often with sculpted lighting, strong eye contact, and an editorial edge. I love imagery that feels like a still from a film, where you can sense a story, a mood, and a point of view. Even when I create something soft and beautiful, it still feels purposeful. I am always aiming for art that feels timeless, confident, and a little bit fearless.
Which kinds of photoshoots do you love to do?
P: I love to do high-end portraiture, with a strong focus on branding and headshots for professionals and businesses. I also create luxury family and senior portraits, and I produce fine art and conceptual series that lean into a film noir influence and mixed media sensibility. My studio work is designed around creating heirlooms, printed artwork, and portraits with presence, intention, and heritage.
J: I specialize primarily in senior and lifestyle photography, which naturally includes families and children. I also photograph newborns periodically, and more recently, I've enjoyed expanding into editorial shoots and collaborations with local businesses. Those partnerships have been especially meaningful, as they've allowed me to build strong connections with the community and explore a creative side I didn't even realize I had.
What inspires you?
J: My faith is the foundation of everything I do. I pray before each session, asking that I can be exactly what each senior, family, or individual needs in that moment. I'm also inspired by other local photographers and creatives across the country who continually challenge and encourage me to grow. My family is also an essential part of this journey. This work often requires time away from them; many shoots begin as the day ends, and evenings are frequently spent editing. I couldn't do this without their constant support, love, and encouragement. Above all, the people I photograph are my greatest inspiration. I often leave sessions feeling like I've made lifelong friends. Those moments are deeply meaningful to me.
P: I am inspired by stories, history, and the quiet power of objects that have lived a life. Classic literature has always shaped the way I see the world, and I have a deep love for libraries. There is something sacred about them, the hush, the dust, the old spines, the feeling that you are surrounded by other minds across centuries. That love shows up in my work through mood and symbolism, through an attraction to old books, antique textures, vintage details, and imagery that I hope can feel timeless. Finally, I love the contrast of light and shadow, softness and strength, elegance and edge. My goal is always to create portraits that feel like art, like a story you can step into, and like a piece of someone’s legacy.
“I love imagery that feels like a still from a film, where you can sense a story, a mood, and a point of view.” —Paula VM