Five years ago, in July of 2001, Jeanna Raney Beasley achieved her dream of becoming Miss South Carolina. Today, Beasley has accomplished yet another life long dream.
Beasley, now 25, can now add entrepreneur to her list of achievements. Beasley Photography is Jeanna’s business, and is located within a studio built right inside her home at 789 Shipwreck Place in Inman, her hometown.
Beasley specializes in a very unique type of photography that is rarely offered in South Carolina.
“After winning Miss South Carolina, I found out firsthand there was a need for professional pageant photographers in this area,” Beasley said.
Professional pageant photography is very different from regular photography. Pictures are retouched so that contestants’ faces appear flawless. A head shot is the usual type of photograph used in these type of pictures and appear in ads for newspapers and magazines, program books, portraits, promotional web sites, and autograph cards. Contestants also use the pictures to submit to judges at competitions .
“This particular business is one of the most difficult areas of photography to break into. However, I feel extremely blessed to have so many connections from my year as Miss South Carolina.” Beasley said.
“It is beneficial to me, because I am able to first do all of their makeup professionally, with lighting techniques in mind, allowing me to contour their faces just so, to make photos their best. I am then able to photograph them directly after, and then produce two to three different looks for each girl. Then, I can digitally retouch all of the photos myself on a computer. Most pageant photographers do not provide all of these services, so I feel that is a great advantage for my business.” Beasley said.
“For the clients, it is wonderful, because they are getting several hours in a very intimate setting, allowing for time to express their concerns, excitement, and also time to ask any questions they may have for me about pageants. Many of the girls I meet have so much they want to know about my experience as Miss South Carolina. Because of my previous pageant experience, these girls are getting much more that just a photo shoot. “ Beasley said.
Beasley spent a lot of time and preparation for her career. While majoring in Media Arts with an emphasis in Photography and a minor in Business at the University of South Carolina, she also worked very hard in pageants to achieve scholarship money. She earned $31,000 in scholarship money from the Miss America Organization.
As Miss South Carolina, Beasley traveled over 51,000 miles throughout South Carolina, making over 250 appearances to promote her platform of Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness.
After graduation in May of 2004, Beasley traveled to Los Angeles where she attended the LA School of Makeup and Design for seven weeks of classes to receive her license to be a professional makeup artist.
“I decided recently that I wanted to produce my own makeup line, simply so that the makeup could be designed especially for my clients in pageants. Many of them like the makeup that I use on them during photo shoots, and would like to have some for competition, so I thought it would be a great idea to have my own line. I also wanted makeup that provided more coverage for photo shoots, and this one does. ” Beasley said.
Beasley’s makeup line is called Kosmos. “It is the Greek word for adornment, “explains Beasley. Beasley went on to say that the term actually stems from the biblical verse, 1 Peter 3-4.
Beasley said that her job is very rewarding.
Beasley’s studio is very special to her as well. Her husband, JJ Beasley built the area. JJ owns his own construction business, Canepole Creek Construction, and built the couple’s home as well before they were married in December of 2005.
“I believe having my business in my home provides a sense of comfort to all my clients. The contact is more personable, and the time is precious,” Beasley said.
By: Heather M. Williams- Business Correspondent and Staff Writer for The Herald Journal Newspaper of Spartanburg- A New York Times Company
