I’m in it for the stories!

That’s me, Jess! Hi! Are you looking for my latest wedding/project? Click here! 

I have all sorts of subjects which, for a lifetime photographer I believe is pretty standard. I like people. I like places. I like reverse engineering post processing techniques. I like learning about new trends. I like blending old and new technology. I like being in touch! That said, communicating well is my area of expertise.

Great things about working with me? Accurate project start and completion dates, consistent and prompt updates, and sharp work!

Want to get to know me as a human? See what we have in common? Read on!

I’m married and he is just as quirky as I am- what can I say, it works! We travel often and honestly. It’s why I sometimes end up talking about travel on here and it’s not all just photography gigs.

I am a military brat all grown up with some serious tumbleweed fever and I LOVE to get out and explore.  We took a super affordable trip to Europe together which made us passionate about budget travel, we visit New Orleans often (our second home and where we were married), and seem to really enjoy 24 hour see it all sort of adventures.  Keep up with me on my personal Instagram to see where we go and what we do.  Pictured large: visiting friends in Nepal–the one in the middle with the adorable hat is LiLi! Ma ali-ali Nepali bolchu! (I speak a little Nepali) and it all came back…even after years of being away! Rena (next to me) was my counterpart over 14 years ago when we volunteered and worked for a British INGO in Parasi, Nepal. She and her family are a BIG part of my life! Pictured small: travel shots from Montreal, Marrakech, and Lisbon.

 

Communication is key in my role as a Brand Developer for my “9-5”. There’s a huge focus on working with my distributors to grow robust account base every day and I love it! I also do an extensive amount of event planning and marketing.

Event planning gives me life and fine details are it’s zest! I create spreadsheets, vision boards, and contracts weekly. My professional career fuels my involvement as a photographer at weddings, galas, and life celebrations.

We have a sweet pup: Patate (IPA key /pa.tat/)  and we are learning all the things!

Cattle kids are full of energy and almost too smart for their own good. Upon meeting him our vet from New Orleans asked if he was Cajun! All we know is that he’s our little potato. I am excited to have someone to take on car rides and to the hardware store on Saturdays. Right now we are earning our cat badge and keeping positive by having fun. He reminds me everyday: Lachez Pas La Patate! Btw that’s my little nugget refusing to go down the stairs…he’s waiting for treats!

I believe in the power of recognizing capacity!

I started learning about car basics on a V70 Volvo Wagon and haven’t stopped learning since. “So, big deal you change your own oil!” Working on cars has strengthened my ability to qualify seemingly unclear situations with way too many misinformed opinions- sound familiar? As a woman, imagine going into an auto store with a broken starter then asking the tech to test it (he did so incorrectly btw and it tested okay) THEN be confident enough leave and go to another auto store despite 6 men emphatically telling you “it’s good” and that “you have no idea what you’re doing… you should stop and go to a dealer before it gets worse!”  By the way–the starter was bad, I diagnosed it correctly from the start. I then took apart the manifold (Hondas are tricky for such a usually basic repair) and replaced it. The car is running great and probably zooming on I-45 today! That day alone was a big lesson. Both girls and boys can watch the same YouTube videos, y’all

Plainly put, don’t be afraid to try solutions when there is a possibility of error. Don’t doubt your capacity. P.S. My favorite project was working on an exhaust system replacement for a Chevy Suburban… after 2 days in, I used a hacksaw…IMPROVISE!

I LOVE to cook

What’s cookin’?! It’s “old technology”, but there’s much to be gained in the kitchen. Learn how to create with limited resources, piece things together, deal with rejection, be precise, be patient, and care about the people you love. Cooking teaches the importance of planning and the fun in celebrating the final result of hard work. Also, homemade burrata and oh–French butter and bread!

I am a BIG advocate of thrifting!

Fast fashion is OUT and originality is IN. I thrift not just for quirky style, but also in favor of re-using and repurposing what we can. I realize we might not be able to do everything, but we can do SOME THINGS. How cool is it to contribute to sustainability AND find one of kind treasures?! Thrifting can be thrilling in many ways.

My bucket list:

• Tour the UN
• Drive a standard So, I bought a KIA off Craigslist. The 2011 manual Soul set me back $7000. My first lessons in the neighborhood were rough, but now I am zooming around town! Feel good about having the skillset, esp. when we travel and rent cars overseas. Now I want to add drifting lessons to my list? LOL SUPER PROUD!
• Get Scuba Certified, See Great Reef
• Attend Carnival in Brazil
• See Pyramids
• Chase a storm
• Experience the Sahara  Visited the start of a frontier zone where the Sahara meets the sea–it was UNREAL. Dakhla was amazing in many ways and it only made me want to journey further south into Mauritania. What a world we live in!
• Hot Air Balloon Ride (in Cappadocia Turkey, California’s Napa Valley or Albuquerque NM)
• Harvest my own cranberries (in Wisconsin or Maine…during my birthday)
  
• Meet a President (past or present)
• See more of Africa! (so far only Morocco and Western Sahara are checked off!)
• Trek Appalachian Trail (or at least part of it…before I’m 30)
  
• See the Grand Canyon
• Migrate with a flock of birds (follow)
  
• Trek Himalayas  It only took two weeks, but Annapurna Base Camp is checked off! This experience made me marvel at the diversity in nature
• See TauTona
• Publish a children’s pop-up book
• Fly in a glider
  
• Play in a bog
• Camp in a lighthouse
• Marvel at the Northern Lights  Thanks for the lights, Iceland!
• Learn to golf
• See a whale; whale watching
• Explore Mammoth Cave
• Sign a song in ASL or BSL
• Visit a coffee estate
• Have Christmas in New York City  Saw all the trees!
• Learn about cigars (from grower’s pov)
• Milk a cow

Oh and here’s a creative visual board of things that make my heart beat loud & inspire me to create.

That’s just about it about me! Thank you for stopping in!