HI. I'm JESS xx
I can't really remember when I knew that photography was my vice. It was a million different things out together from before I could think for myself. Like the way I enjoyed going through old family photographs as a kid. Or watching old videotapes my Dad would make of what I thought then, were super irrelevant moments, like our family having dinner. Like the entire 38 minutes of dinner. Or that time I made scrapbooks of my friends and small adventures that took me all summer to make. Or maybe the way Alzheimer's took ahold of my Grandmother. I watched her mind degrade, and I realized we simply cannot rely on memories. It's the reason I adore details and why I want to treasure them all, no matter how small.
The mindful part of my career into photography came much later. I started this journey in 2012, but as a family lifestyle photographer. I captured pudgy babies and bellies, of all kinds of families. My trajectory shifted dramatically when a photographer friend asked me to be a second photographer at a wedding with him... motivated only by the prospect of extra cash. At the time, weddings were definitely not on my radar, and I almost said no. But it ended up being the single greatest move in my career.
In 2018, I officially began traveling for weddings. And today, I travel outside of my home state of Florida, for almost 90% of my weddings.
My approach is being witness to love stories and capturing them honestly. I believe in creating a space of intimacy and security that allows my couples to be genuinely in the moment, as I uninterruptedly document their story unfolding. And though the documentary style is my main focus, I do encourage an editorial approach during portions of the day. While offering direction and stylized suggestions on light & composition, I keep your vision and unique love language at heart.
OTHER PERSONAL STUFF
 
I am a Cuban American, sprinkled with some Chinese decent, born in Miami, FL. I grew up wanting to be a doctor, and I do have 2 degrees: BS in Finance & a BSN for Nursing - which have come quite unhandy as a wedding photographer. I have a wonderful Husband, who is also my high school sweetheart, second photographer & editing partner; and we have 3 pretty amazing kids.
I would definitely consider myself a quiet observer, but I am a Gemini so I love a good crowd. I am emotionally driven, and feed off the vibe around me. I enjoy busy cities, but quiet streets. My dream day is walking around a museum, grabbing a good coffee, and enjoying a good jazz club. My favorite things on TV are The Bear, crime documentaries and reruns of The Veep or Game of Thrones. And I'm constantly inspired by museums, interior photography, whoever the hell the photographer from Kith is, quiet displays of devotion, and vintage wedding photographs.
FUN FACTS
 
I shoot mostly digital, but film is a vibe too. Lets do that ;-)
My husband is my 2nd photographer for most of my weddings. It's a family affair.
Dancing Queen is the GOAT of all wedding songs. Never gets old!
Mother/Son dances kill me softly. I almost always hide behind my camera and cry.
Desert Island... I'm bringing my stovetop expresso maker, a camera, and an endless supply of biscoff cookies.