Having just stepped off a 14 hour plane flight, Jess found herself tired and jetlagged waiting for her connecting flight at JFK Airport in New York. With nothing better to do and a need to catch up on some sleep, she buried herself into her luggage and promptly fell asleep. She awoke some time later to an audience of people who had surrounded her and were taking photos of her blissfully asleep. Jess was 10 years old. With this upbringing that involved its fair share of international travel, Jess interest in photography was sparked at this moment and her first camera – a venerable film based Pentax 35mm, led her to discover the satisfaction of taking images as a historical narrative.
Originally born and raised in Perth, Western Australia, Jess completed her degree in Fine Art at the Claremont School of Art before moving herself, her camera and a luggage full of clothes across the continent to the centre of multicultural and artistic endeavour – Melbourne – in 1995.
Realising a degree and background in Art, whilst mentally stimulating didn’t pay the bills, Jess embarked on completing a Bachelor of Design (Interior Exhibition Design) at Swinburne University.
With a focus on the aesthetic qualities of her surroundings, Jess’ interest in photography took on a serious focus 5 years ago, inspired by overseas travel to Japan. She continued to develop her photographic practice at Photography Studies College, Melbourne, and started exhibiting her works in solo and group shows throughout Melbourne.
Photography is about light capture. Jess’ work is characterized by a close appreciation of natural everyday objects, heightened by her awareness from her Fine Arts & Interior Design education and a pursuit of capturing images with a minimum of post production. A successful image for Jess is one that captures the energy and composition of people and objects in such a way which pleases the eye with its overall sense of balance and colour.
In 2008, Jess’ work was shown at the New York Photo Festival, and in 2009 her work was ‘Highly Commended’ in the Art Category of Projections 2009.
Early 2010, saw Jess founding ‘Photography Night Walks’, a weekly event designed to inspire and build a community of like minded individuals to practice and collaborate in capturing images around Melbourne. This creation of a network for photography enthusiasts of all levels.
Jess is inspired by people, places and light, and her work is informed by an appreciation for truth and authenticity.
Jess currently runs her own photography practice, and is available for private commission in relation to:
- Commercial location photography shoots: architectural, interiors, lifestyle
- Artistic photography shoots for large format image reproduction: shoot, production & planning
- Portraiture (Biographical, Corporate)
- Private lessons (1 on 1, photography tours)
- Private Group Photography Night Walks tours outside of Sunday & Thursday nights (minimum 4 people)