Jackie Bowden, Owner of Mini Movers Studio

Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing an Editorial Mini Session with Jackie Bowden, the owner of Mini Movers Studio in Charlestown, MA! Jackie is a dancer, choreographer, business owner, and also has a background in modeling, acting and cheerleading. You can find Jackie on Instagram at @jackiedbowden for all things dance/education/performance related and the studio @minimoversstudio. Read on for an interview with Jackie and to see some of the portraits from our Mini Session!

Q: What were you like as a child? Did any of your interests align with your current work?

A: “Growing up I was involved in a ton of activities—dance, cheerleading, acting, softball, various school groups and throughout my teens and early 20s, volunteered coaching cheerleading. I would say everything I did growing up is somehow tied to what I do now and the mission behind my business!”

Q: How did you start your business?

A: “I had a performance job fall through and was taking time to focus on acting and dance for a few years as I worked as a substitute teacher and did a few other gig based jobs. After a few years, I began to reflect on what I wanted to do, was reading the book "How to Be a Badass" by Jen Sincero, and actually had a lightbulb moment one morning to create a dance program that gave kids the experience of a dance class that isn't just in a dance studio setting. From there I went with it and ran!”

Q: What is your favorite part of your work / running your business?

A: “I love SO many aspects of the business, but I would say my favorite thing is seeing kids grow in confidence and creating a safe space for them to explore and grow their love for dance. I am always so honored that kids feel safe and comfortable in Mini Movers Studio classes and I think the greatest compliment I have received is feedback from families and clients talking about the confidence they see blooming in their child/student in our classes. My goal for my programs and classes is to give kids a space to develop their confidence, encourage them to talk and ask questions and always praise them for using their courage—no matter what it is they are being courageous about. I work with so many young kids and am aware of the impact that I and my staff have on students, even if we only see them once a week—so I want all students to leave a Mini Movers Studio class feeling good about themselves.

Q: Can you share a favorite story from running your business? 

A: “My favorite story is the road that this business has been on! I am proud of how far it has come and seeing my goals for it actually coming true. It excites me to know that where it is now will not look the same 5 years from now and knowing that I will continue to learn as things expand, shift and change!”

Q: What is a typical day in your life like?

A: “No two days are ever alike-which I enjoy! But most days I will wake up and work out, then get to administrative duties. A few times a month I will have a morning class so I will also do that. After lunch, I typically start to get ready for my afternoon of classes, so I will do some lesson planning, pack up some snacks then head out to drive to either Swampscott or Charlestown for classes and teach for the afternoon. I'm done with classes by either 6:00 or 7:00 PM, and then I will do some tidying of the space before heading out. From there I will head home to have dinner and then depending on the day go take a dance class myself, do any necessary leftover admin work or just try to unwind before getting ready for bed.”

Q: What are your hopes and dreams for your business?

A: My goals for Mini Movers Studio are to continue to grow and expand into new locations. I hope to also open more children's studios in different communities. I also started a product line called Move and Dance Resources that I want to develop further. Additionally I want to create another program that is for pre-teens through adults. I want to offer a pre-teen and teen mobile program, and offer studio classes, and potentially performance groups, for teens and adults.

About Editorial Mini Sessions

Editorial Mini Sessions are 15 minute portrait sessions based on the backdrops and lighting styles Diana uses when photographing magazine assignments, often using bright color backdrops such as yellow, pink, turquoise, and red.

If you’re interested in signing up for an Editorial Mini Session, please email dianalevinephotographer@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list, where you’ll receive all the upcoming dates and details! Each Editorial Mini, Diana chooses a different backdrop and lighting that she uses when photographing magazine covers and features, and books 15 minute photo sessions so that anyone can join for beautiful, creative, magazine-style portraits! You can learn more at dianalevine.com/editorialminisessions

Diana’s Editorial Mini Sessions take place at various studio spaces in the Greater Boston area. These Mini Session days are convenient for people who live in the Greater Boston or MetroWest Boston area, including: Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Westwood, Weston, Wayland, Sherborn, Dover, Medfield, Sudbury, Waltham, Ashland, Southborough, Concord, and Lexington.

At Diana’s Headshots Mini Sessions and Editorial Mini Sessions, she regularly photographs executives, attorneys, medical professionals, psychologists, realtors, business, marketing and communications specialists, journalists, authors, wellness and fitness instructors, designers, dancers, stylists, creatives, and professionals of all backgrounds in the Boston area. She uses the same studio lighting she uses for magazine editorial portraits, and retouching is included with all final selected photos.

About Diana

Diana Levine is a Boston based editorial photographer, specializing in portraits for magazines, headshots, branding portraits, families and children. Her clients include Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Magazine, BC Law Magazine, Simmons Magazine and more. She has photographed notable personalities such as Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Usher, New Kids on the Block, One Direction, among many other musicians, actors, politicians, athletes and more. You can find her full portfolio at dianalevine.com