I’m Jess, and that ridiculously handsome creature in my arms is Pippin—my soul pup, creative sidekick, and living reminder that love often comes with fur and questionable breath.

I’ve been a professional photographer for nearly 20 years (yes, I started young... like, flip-phone young). I graduated from USC’s School of Cinema-Television back in 2004, where I trained in the ancient arts of documentary storytelling and cinematic soul-hunting. My roots are in photojournalism—the kind that captures real, raw, heart-thumping moments as they unfold, unscripted and unfiltered.

But while I’ve photographed many things over the years, nothing—nothing—inspires me like animals. They are pure poetry in motion. Messy, majestic, hilarious, holy poetry. My bond with my own pets has been one of the deepest, truest threads of my life, and that truth drives every single session I shoot. I don’t take this work lightly. It’s sacred to me. Every tail wag, side-eye, and snuggle is honored.

When I’m not behind the camera, I’m usually covered in paint, marker, or mysterious art residue. I dabble in watercolor, oil, acrylic, digital wizardry, and lately, I’ve been romancing stained glass and mosaics. And when my hands aren’t busy making things, they’re usually tossing tennis balls with my husband Daniel and our three fuzzy housemates: Marley, Pippin, and Bubo. Backyard chaos, kayak trips, and long hikes into the green wild are our love language.

In everything I do—photography included—I’m chasing something real. Not just a technically good image, but a moment. A flash of soul. Something that speaks a thousand words and then quietly adds a few more under its breath. The best moments are always unscripted, unexpected, and undeniably true.

That’s the heart of what I offer: images that feel like love.