Cheerful woman in striped shirt smiling while seated on dark sofa in black and white photo.

 

I’m Jaci Mendek

 

Black and white portrait of a laughing woman with shoulder-length hair in a black top on a sofa.

My love for photography started long before it became my career. My grandparents always kept a disposable camera on their dining table when we came to visit—a quiet reminder that everyday moments were worth noticing. I was also the kid who packed a camera for summer camp, wanting to remember the people, the laughter, and the feeling of being there. My cousin, Kellie, was my first muse and would often model for me as I practiced "fashion photography".


After my second son was born, I bought my first DSLR so I could document my boys’ lives with better quality. What began as a way to hold onto those fleeting seasons eventually grew into a career rooted in connection, storytelling, and gratitude.


Today, I’m a lifestyle portrait photographer based in Metro Detroit, capturing seniors, families, and brands with a focus on real moments and meaningful connection. For the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of creating photographs that feel honest, timeless, and deeply personal for my cherished clients.

Flat lay of vintage cameras and lenses scattered among puzzle pieces on a white surface.

 

The beauty is in the pieces.

 

Facts about me

2026 goal

 

Creative Growth

I'm obsessed with

True Crime

dream place to shoot

Oregon Coast

Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with wavy hair, captured in soft focus lighting.
favorite hobby

Word Search Puzzles

Favorite candy

Licorice Hollows

dream vacation

Ireland

Two smiling young women hugging in a kitchen, black and white photo.
Happy couple sitting together outdoors in a black and white photo, smiling and laughing against a mountain backdrop.
Woman in jacket reading Community Over Competition faces a group of women in an alley.
Black and white portrait of a smiling woman sitting on a sofa with a fluffy white doodle dog.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom sharing a tender first dance embrace.
Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with two young boys against a dark background.
Black and white photo of two smiling women posing together near a waterfront dock outdoors.
Black and white photo of a smiling pregnant woman being kissed on the cheek by a bald man near a window.
Silhouette of a family with a dog walking at sunset in black and white.
Black and white photo of a smiling mother with two young children outdoors near flowering bushes.
Black and white portrait of a smiling woman posing against a rustic brick wall.
Black and white family photo of two women with five children sitting together on green grass outdoors.
Woman standing on rocky mountain summit with panoramic valley views in black and white photography.
Young woman kissing elderly grandmother on cheek while sitting together in black and white photo.
Black and white group photo of five young adults posing together on an urban street.
Black and white romantic couple embracing near a serene beach at sunset.

 

Let’s create something beautiful.

 

Contact me