Hi, I’m Jess. Or Jessi—both feel like me.

For me, capturing beautiful photos has never been about perfect outfits or curated poses. It’s about showing up—being fully present, honest, and open. That’s something I try to bring to every session and every relationship. If I had to describe myself in just a few words, it would be: I show up.

I’m not great at social media—multitasking isn’t my strong suit because I’m usually too focused on being right there, wherever “there” happens to be. I’m loyal, a little goofy, a hopeless romantic… and, sure, I’ve got my flaws too, but hey—we’re not talking about email communications right now.

My childhood was spent on the back of a horse in the corn fields of Iowa, and that quiet, open landscape still shapes the way I see the world. While “quiet” doesn’t exactly describe my personality, it’s the quality I treasure most in art. Our shoot may be full of laughter and movement, but the images I love the most hold a stillness—a kind of quiet poetry.

I never thought I’d leave Iowa. I had a lovely life there, incredible mentors, and lifelong friends. But love has its own plans, and when my husband’s career led us west, I landed in Missoula—a move that felt like a gift. I left behind a career as a food photographer, but I found a community that felt like home from the start. Iowa will always be beautiful to me, but there’s something about the way the light falls on the mountains that takes my breath away.

These days, you’ll often find me doing all the outdoorsy Montana things—but truthfully, my happy place is at home, puttering. Creating spaces is my truest passion.

My dream? Restoring a weathered, old farmhouse on a few acres, with a big garden, a couple of horses, an old dog, and maybe a hive of bees. Probably some barefoot, wild children in the mix too. I think that appreciation for the old, the quiet, and the soulful shows up in every image I make.

If those are things you love too, then maybe we should Connect.