Loved despite great faults

New York Wedding

2012-01-30T14:41:00.001-07:00

I photographed a beautiful New York wedding this summer with Josh Brown who is super talented...

It was a pretty incredible wedding if I may say so.

Lauren and Andrew were so sweet and great to work with!

2012-01-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

I went on a road trip with my mom last weekend.
a self portrait I suppose

The White Room

2012-01-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

Ax and Danny

The sweetest things.

A few of my favorites from the bday

2012-01-25T15:36:00.001-07:00

Claire and Chris

2012-01-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

I photographed this beautiful backyard wedding. Claire wanted the wedding to have a "tea party" feel for her special day. It was so bright and natural and it was so much fun to photograph. My favorite part was not only her vintage dress but the many, many bridesmaids she had in creams and blushes, it made for such a beautiful pallet to work with.

Thanks you two!

Good Birthday?

2012-01-21T00:49:00.000-07:00

I think so!!!

Thanks C, you are the best.

2012-01-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

... and some more.

more film from the slim

2012-01-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

I am still stuck on the slim and wide camera...

The hallways and corners of the studio.

Found Items

2012-01-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am a part of a small group of women photographers in my area. We get together once a month to talk shop, talk trash, talk pretty, talk politics, talk photo. We give ourselves assignments to keep juices flowing. This last one was tabletop. I walked around the studio building and picked up these 4 little bits. I can't tell you how relaxing shooting still life is for me, I like the silence and the solitude. The purple flowers and part of a bouquet C gave me and the nails and screws are leftovers from the giant chalkboard I built this week.

I like simple things.

Love my Ultra Wide and Slim Camera!

2012-01-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this...

The Ultra Wide and Slim film camera

I photographed with this little guy yesterday and just had the film processed.

I love it so much, I believe I will have a new sidekick for a while!

An Odd Studio Visit

2012-01-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

I am working in my dream environment, I can bring my dog to work with me. This morning I photographed Max. He was very cooperative but only after I gave him Tootsie Rolls. This afternoon Andrew came by to see the new studio. I photographed him as well. He was very cooperative but only after I gave him Diet Coke. When I downloaded the photos I couldn't get over how much the two resembled each other. Strange how things happen.

Toy Camera

2012-01-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

I purchased an overpriced toy camera last month.

It was worth every penny.

It makes my simple life look like a dance club.

lovely purchases

2012-01-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

I found an old ZCMI cart. I couldn't find anything more perfect for the studio.

Nothing lovelier than hospital green...

2011-12-30T20:53:00.002-07:00

New Studio!

2011-12-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

I finally did it!

A dream come true, I got a studio space and I am in heaven.

The Studio is in downtown Salt Lake City and I am more than happy to share the joy if anyone is interested to renting this space from me for shoots.

I will post more information on that in a bit.

Have a beautiful weekend and enjoy your New Years...

I hope you all get lot's of kisses and are able to be with friends and family.

Love

Jess

Thanks Lou for spending the afternoon with me exploring the natural light in the space.

Outside My Front Door

2011-12-16T00:36:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I stepped outside of my car and saw the sprigs of wheat glowing against the gray

of the day... I have never noticed them before and I loved the way they spoke to me to I grabbed my camera. After I photographed them I turned around and saw all these crippled, dry plants that quietly hugged my house. I have never looked at them with the intent of finding beauty, they always seemed so normal and invisible. I popped around to each plant, finding certain angles that gave them a different life. I really enjoyed these few minutes, I felt a much needed grounding to the earth.

I LOVE the flesh color of the images above, they it's so nice to have these colors hanging on.

The images below remind me of the bowing and twisting of what I assume my veins look like inside my arms and legs.

My First Christmas Tree

2011-12-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

I bought my first Christmas tree this year.

I found the smelliest cheapest one at Home Depot and a strand of lights and brought it home in the back seat of my car. Instead of spending money on new ornaments I decided to just make them from all the little nicknacks around the house. I have old tapes, tons of photos, pins, tickets, old postcards etc...

It looks like a mess but it is mine.

Disneyland with the siblings

2011-12-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

Last week I was able to go to Disneyland with the family. Disneyland is a magical place, especially if I enjoy it even with 50 minute wait in lines... But really is was so great because I was will my favorite people.

I brought my little film slr...

Sean and Sarah: more to come

2011-11-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

Disneyland...

2011-11-29T14:10:00.001-07:00

T, you are still my best friend.

2011-11-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Kinda creepy but in a good way

2011-11-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Nick and Jim playing with Pooh.

hehe...

Estate sales are kinda great

2011-11-18T14:54:00.001-07:00

I have never been to an estate sale but this morning I wanted to do something new. Luckily there was one just a few blocks from my house. The home was super old and cute, pink carpet and closets of knitted pink sweaters and blankets. Most of what I found were small items; lace, buttons, rolls of floral paper, a milk glass goblet, a sweet rolling 1970's bag and a vintage tv dinner tray... But the real score was a 1960's Kodak Instamatic 100 camera with a roll of film inside (and it still works!)

Guess how much all of these items cost me... 20 dollars.

I am not going to lie, I think I might have a new weekend vice.

Thinking of Photography and My Two Older Brothers

2011-11-17T19:50:00.002-07:00

I am slowly restoring old family photos.

It's amazing how quickly things change...

From my mother's childhood she has a small handful of fading photographs, mostly old 6x6 black and whites and polaroids. They are cracked, yellowed and littered with 50 years oily finger prints. Most of then are portraits outside of her homes holding pets or standing and posing with siblings.

My brothers and I have a few shoeboxes of 4x6 prints of our first bike rides, camping trips, Disneyland,

Halloweens, birthdays and random snaps from disposable film cameras... They are all damaged from Cheeto dust and tape from attempted scrap booking. There are no negatives to be found, just one of a kind images rotting away.

The children today have terabytes full of almost every day of their lives, 30 different angles of a first tooth, an entire birthday party documented from start to finish, every time they eat a cupcake, take a poop, scrape their faces, wear new clothes... There are multiple exposures incase an eye is closed,

a hand is not right, a belly not sucked in. They are posted on blogs, facebook, multiples printed out and

sent around for Christmas. They are never ending.

I appreciate all of the steps photography has taken but

have found I love looking through old images...

The closed eyes

the missed expression

the blurr

when it was too expensive to practice the perfect forced smile and

the corrupted colors from the decay of elements (not stamped on by a iphone app).

I love the two photos of my brothers as kids.

These are the only ones of them that day and all we have is the one moment.

Fall Bridal shoot

2011-11-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to do a shoot with

Sarah Winward with Honey of a Thousand Flowers for some time now...

She is amazingly talented, every time I see her work I am awestruck. Sarah's flowers arrangements

are so full of life and always natural and unique... Needless to say I love her work.

Sarah wanted to do a shoot that incorporated a garland for a horse.

Thank you so much to Jefra Starr Linn for her time and connections to this beautiful horse.

Also Thanks to Anne Adams and Moose for modeling for us in the cold Utah mountains.

hehe

2011-11-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Abby is everywhere...

Rachel and Spencer: Wedding

2011-11-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

This was such a beautiful wedding!

I feel so lucky to have been able to see it all.

Thanks Rachel and Spencer, you guys were too good to be true.

K.M.A.R.B.

2011-11-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

A photo I shot on the cover of Past Perfect...

A bedroom

2011-11-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

Me and my Grandmother

2011-11-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

I am excited to know you someday.

Mom

2011-11-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

I found this photo last night of my mom.

I don't know that I have ever known a more beautiful woman.

Old photos

2011-11-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

Dear 1970's,

I wish I were a part of you. I love the way film captured your colors

Jess

Halloween

2011-11-01T16:52:00.000-06:00

I Made my costume.

Indoor Camping

2011-10-31T14:52:00.000-06:00

This weekend I surprised C with an indoor camping trip...

A homemade tent with twinkle lights for stars, fondue in place for campfire s'mores, hot dogs and coke.

Happiest of Birthdays C! I hope to spend many more with you.

2011-10-31T12:54:00.001-06:00

Photo shoot in Jersey

2011-10-29T17:18:00.000-06:00

A few months ago I was lucky enough to work with an amazing team that put together this amazing shoot!

Makeup Artist : Kerry Crawford

Styling and Hair: Bobby Yanoupeth

Clothing provided by: Another Man's Treasure of New Jersey

Model: Abby Peterson

I will post the rest in the morning

2011-10-27T14:19:00.002-06:00

2011-10-24T23:41:00.000-06:00

Photo adventure with my photo group...

Visit to NY

2011-10-24T10:42:00.000-06:00

I miss Central Park...

2011-10-24T10:38:00.000-06:00

while living in Harlem...

I love happening to have a camera nearby...

2011-10-22T15:45:00.002-06:00

I got my film developed today...

I can't even describe how much I love shooting random images that appeal to me,

forgetting about them for months and developing the film to have the same experience again...

I am not saying that when I see my clothes on the bathroom floor in the morning it is some

magical experience but something about the little unnoticed bits of our lives can turn out

to be some of the most raw, interesting facts about us.

Pearl

2011-10-21T19:13:00.001-06:00

Two dogs are better than one

2011-10-12T16:28:00.000-06:00

Pretty places and pretty people

2011-10-11T17:51:00.000-06:00

2011-10-05T20:43:00.000-06:00

How is it that I stumble upon the greatest things ever?

Rainstorm in Harlem

2011-09-29T13:11:00.000-06:00

HAPPY FALL!!!

2011-09-28T22:55:00.002-06:00

I really do love film

2011-09-22T14:00:00.001-06:00

I AM BACK

2011-09-22T12:57:00.003-06:00

I needed a little break from the interwebs...

But I have so many things to share!

Jess

2011-08-17T13:28:00.000-06:00

Nathalie...
Glad to meet you.

2011-08-11T11:13:00.001-06:00

I watched a man in Central Park slowly tie silver ribbon onto the string of his kite as he let the kite out further and further.

2:35 am rant

2011-08-10T01:02:00.001-06:00

I have been thinking about passion for the past few days, it started yesterday when I was discussing the Bill Cunningham documentary with some friends. If you have seen the movie you will understand how passionate the guy is about his work, he is a fashion street photographer in New York who literally eats, drinks and breaths his work, I mean the guys entire home is covered floor to ceiling with filing cabinets full of film. He is extremely passionate about what he does, not just passionate but obsessive. When I watched the film a while back I remember being jealous that he had so much devotion to one thing and just did it all the time, day and night. I have been thinking about the things i am passionate about... if it is even passion, if I know what passion is. I sat down and wrote a list of all the things that I feel like I might be passionate about, many of them are temporary, like my Mad Men obsession and having the biggest girl crush on Christina Hendricks and the 1960's. I even sent a text to some friends that know me best and asked them what they thought I might be passionate about, I got mostly texts back about diet coke, dirty jokes (i love my friends) and a lot of small, simple things...
I have come to realize I may never obsess over one thing to the point of insanity (although it seems so romantic) but I DO feel passion for many things all the time... I feel joy over daily experiences, the other night I rode the bus home late and it started to rain, when I got off the bus it was raining so hard I was completely drenched in seconds, I was listening to Laura Marling on my iphone and I ran home with the biggest smile, I didn't avoid the puddles and I didn't care how filthy the water was. I loved that moment and I will never forget the way it felt to be running through the streets of New York by myself in the middle of warm rainstorm.

-art that I want to create
-finding brilliant colors in obscure places
-food... (that is an obvious one, I wake up thinking about what I will be eating that day)
-my family and watching my brother's children grow
-storms, watching them and being in them
-Tetris, I dream in Tetris all the time, I could play for ever
-pens, writing, drawing
-sculptures of hands
-small things, anything miniaturized makes me giddy inside
-photography... this one so many times over
-finding humor in unexpected times and places
-music and how it makes the most boring experiences unique

okay...

I am done.

oh, here is something I look forward too...
Someone to be passionate about...

I sneak took this after my friend decorated a door for Valentine's Day...
I LOVE this crap.

Elle and Rose

2011-08-09T10:19:00.000-06:00

Babes.

2011-08-08T22:57:00.000-06:00

As requested by Dave C...

More Max.

There ya go Dave.

Evidence of a crazy week

2011-08-08T22:55:00.002-06:00

Dollar Diet Cokes.

Don't Judge.

Sheep Meadow- Central Park

2011-08-08T09:58:00.000-06:00

2011-08-06T01:18:00.000-06:00

I am grateful for many things at the moment, mostly friends, family and the tender mercies of God.

Last month I bought my ticket to fly out to Utah on Wednesday the 20th of July to attend and photograph my friend Claire's wedding which was on the 21st. The morning after I bought the flight I felt like I should change the date and leave for Utah a few days earlier so I could spend some time with friends and my mom, so I moved my flight to the 19th. That same day my friend Tyler text me and asked if I could photograph his family while I was in Utah, his little brother was coming home from an LDS mission and his entire family would be together that week, it happened to be that Wednesday the 20th worked for us both. So I flew home on the 19th, spent some time with friends and photographed Tyler and his family on the 20th. The next day I photographed Claire's wedding, she was so beautiful and it was such an amazing experience to see her marry her best friend. It was such an up and down day because that afternoon Tyler had been in an accident and passed away. That evening my friends and I gathered together and cried for the loss of our friend.

In the morning I was asked by Tyler's family to send over pictures taken that week so they could be used for the obituary. I cried while editing through those images, I cried because Tyler was gone and would not be here on earth to watch his niece and nephew grow but I also cried because I felt the existence of God and I knew how much God loved Tyler. Tyler was able to be with his entire family on the day he passed away, he died doing something he loved, surrounded by the people he loved.

Tyler's viewing and funeral were attended by so many people, it was amazing to see how many lives he had affected, to see how much love one person was able to share.
I feel grateful to have known Tyler, I feel grateful that I was able to be a part of the last photographs he had with his family. I am humbled to see how much love God has for us, to see the tender mercies his family was given before he passed.

I am grateful for family and friends. In the end that all that really matters is our relationships.

At Ty's viewing

The night after the viewing we bought a bunch of fire works to celebrate Tyler, we hoped that

he would see them (I think he did).

the boys all took their shirts off (that is what Tyler would have done)

There was a lot of screaming and a lot of laughing.

there was a lot of down time that week too. we just really wanted to be around each other.

Make sure you let the people in your life know how much you care for them. Forgive others, be sweet, be nice and remember what this is all about. Too much time is spent on the expendable things which are made to seem significant.

2011-08-02T16:27:00.002-06:00

Farm

2011-08-01T15:49:00.000-06:00

2011-08-01T14:19:00.001-06:00

allow yourself to be dramatic sometimes.

My brother is cool!

2011-07-28T22:47:00.000-06:00

My brother Nick directed this video years ago, it ended up in the Sundance Fim Fest and has done pretty well. The video is now a used for the band Mason, it is pretty cool. Good job big brother!

Hi-Tec C Pen

2011-07-28T16:56:00.000-06:00

So, there are a few things that I am OCD about, one of them is that I can't (and I really mean I can't) write without a Pilot Hi-Tec C Pen (point 3 and sometimes point 4 if I am feeling sloppy). I like to brag that I started the obsession with all my friends and I demand credit from them every time they purchase or talk about the pens... sorry friends for being that person.

Well, this amazing thing is happening on Kickstarter and I think everyone should know about it. If you like pens, draw, write, or just want one more thing to love you should check it out.

Charlie

2011-07-27T17:24:00.000-06:00

2011-07-25T13:28:00.000-06:00

guy in the red shirt, you are weird.

The Cloisters

2011-07-19T17:50:00.000-06:00

Jendar (the very lovely lady below) introduced me to the Cloisters Museum in upper Manhattan.

I think I found my new favorite place to be.

B&W: 35mm 400tx pushed 3 stops
Color: 120 Kodak Porta 160

Wild Beasts: Le Poisson Rouge

2011-07-18T14:13:00.001-06:00

Wild Beasts have been a definite favorite over the past few years,

seeing them was like experiencing Christmas mixed with something else really great.

I might have to "happen" to be in LA in a few months to do it again.

shot with 400tx pushed 3 stops... they came out alright.

Dear Eyeballs

2011-07-17T23:18:00.000-06:00

Dear Eyeballs,

Thank you.

Love,
Jessica

PS1 MoMa

2011-07-17T23:01:00.002-06:00

I went to the PS1 MoMa in Queens last week.

I enjoyed it fully. Some pretty good art but I was more in love with the space than anything.

Watching Francis Alys' film, watched it twice.

partners in crime E and A

Met a new friend in the hallway, it was his birthday... too bad he was so young.

Fun Fact: E went to the same college as I did but a few years later and we met at our summer program at SVA. Glad we met.

Thank you random stranger for being apart of my favorite moment of the day...

2011-07-17T00:36:00.002-06:00

2011-07-17T00:25:00.000-06:00

2011-07-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

funny, but he really is my shadow.

My Favorite Ryan

2011-07-16T23:55:00.000-06:00

This is Ryan.

He came to New York to play.

I like him, he is an INFP.

While he was here we:

dressed up like birth control to protect ourselves from the rain while visiting lady liberty.

ate tacos and played with friends

enjoyed the best parts of Harlem

and found twins on the side of a building.

Ryan, you are great.

2011-07-15T22:31:00.000-06:00

2011-07-15T21:50:00.000-06:00

using up very expired film.

2011-07-15T20:42:00.000-06:00

Gold sparkle 2 dollar nail polish being sold by a man on the street.

Mine.

2011-07-14T21:42:00.000-06:00

Dear Max,
I will see you in 5 days.

-J

2011-07-14T21:31:00.003-06:00

I Heart Hamburgers

2011-07-13T00:10:00.000-06:00

*A shout out to Jim and Natalie for introducing me to Dick's when we were in Seattle.

I hope to revisit Dick's another day with you two.

Guilty Pleasure number 1: Arby's

2011-07-13T00:06:00.001-06:00

And there you have it...

One of my most embarrassing secrets revealed.

Meeting Elmo

2011-07-13T00:01:00.000-06:00

A few months ago I went with my brother and his family to "visit" Elmo. We thought the kids would be elated to meet such a celebrity, boy were we wrong. When we stepped into the room Oliver and Abby scurried to the corner of the room screeching in fear trying to get as far away from the giant red monster as humanly possible. Elmo terrified Abby so deeply that she spent rest of the day looking over her shoulder to make sure Elmo wasn't following behind. I love these shots, the kids huddled in the corner while Elmo looks strangely concerned.

2011-07-12T22:52:00.000-06:00

What is it about peanut butter in the middle of the night? When ever I can't sleep I always shuffle into the kitchen, dip a big spoon into my crunchy Adam's Natural peanut butter and eat it very slowly until it hits the right spot (whatever spot that is). I thought I was the only one until tonight I walked into the kitchen and saw my roommate sitting with an exhausted slouch on the kitchen counter with a spoon full of peanut butter in her hand. Not much was said, we just nodded and smiled, this need must run deep in the blood of sleepless girls.

2011-07-12T22:44:00.000-06:00

lovely details...

Beginners = Bueno

2011-07-10T23:56:00.000-06:00

If you are craving something extraordinary go see the movie Beginners.

By far one of my favorites of the year.

reasons to go see it:

-you simply like good films

-you enjoy beautiful cinematography paired with an perfectly appropriate soundtrack

-you appreciate good story telling and emotional lyricism

-like dogs, or don't like dogs but would like to one day like dogs

-feel like laughing, but in the deep dark way

Press until broken.

2011-07-08T22:09:00.000-06:00

i love this

2011-07-06T20:46:00.002-06:00

2011-06-29T13:36:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite days.

2011-06-29T13:34:00.003-06:00

like I said... Some things never change.

I found this a little while ago in a box of

drawings I made as a kid.

2011-06-28T22:33:00.002-06:00

Some things never change

2011-06-28T22:32:00.000-06:00

Some things get dusty

I saw this thing last week.

2011-06-27T22:40:00.000-06:00

World War Z

2011-06-23T23:38:00.000-06:00

Even though it is giving me scary dreams I can't put it down.

The past couple of days I have been constantly plotting my zombie escape methods.

I recommend it.

Mermaids on Parade

2011-06-21T21:33:00.000-06:00

I mentioned before that I went to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade last weekend...

We somehow got sucked into the parade and somehow never got kicked out.

These two ladies below were my favorite, they were so excited to have an excuse to walk around without tops (I made some neon censors for those who need them... too bad everyone at the parade didn't have the same luxury).

Where is Charlie?

This was his highlight I think.

T'was a good day.

Friends Wanted

2011-06-21T20:23:00.000-06:00

Add Charlie

He is on Facebook

Go here to add: Charlie Horsey

Coney Island: Mermaid Parade

2011-06-19T00:04:00.000-06:00

I have been looking forward to today for a long time.

It was the Mermaid Parade, really can you think of anything better?

Here is the crew.

We arrived a little late to Coney Island so all the good spots were taken, I am not going to lie, my heart was breaking to know that all of the action was happening feet from me and I couldn't even see it.

Luckily my impatience and frustration causes me to do ridiculous things to get my way and we decided to join the parade. It was an easy thing to do since we had Charlie with us (thanks Charlie!)

We made it through the entire parade, just as loved as the topless mermaids and men dressed as lobsters.

It really was a dream come true.

PS I will post more photos soon.

The train ride home, happy as a clam.

2011-06-18T23:54:00.002-06:00

One of my best friends is here to visit.
I feel lucky.

2011-06-15T15:58:00.002-06:00

sunday walks

2011-06-13T16:01:00.002-06:00

2011-06-13T14:57:00.000-06:00

If i could i would do this all day long.

I think about death sometimes and it scares me to know that one day I might be without a tool to help me interpret my world.

2011-06-13T14:39:00.000-06:00

What I wouldn't give to go to the park with him today.

2011-06-10T07:16:00.000-06:00