As a woman and as an artist, I see myself in Jessy. In July I founded Black Women Photographers, a global community and database designed to provide a resource for the industry’s gatekeepers. As Black women, many of us are walking the same path, the same journey, with the same struggles. I want to know what compels Jessy to create. She tells me that she’s proud of capturing and amplifying women who haven’t had a voice in the industry. Women whose stories haven’t been told, whose experiences weren’t worthy to be the “feature,” who’ve been reduced to supporting roles, or left in the shadows.

As a former model herself, it’s obvious that Jessy has a special perspective: In an industry dominated by men, few know what it’s like to be a minority, both in front of and behind the camera. Few have been the potter and the clay.

Cocktail waitress to fashion photographer.

“I just knew I didn’t want to become an artist in any way, shape, or form,” Jessy remembers, despite the fact that she dabbled in photography in high school. Later, in college, she also developed as a sketch artist, drawing inspiration from Black magazines like Vibe and Jet while working toward her business degree. “My father was a full-time artist. He did everything under the sun. I saw him hustle and grind. I had no aspirations to even get into the arts. I always thought I was going to go the corporate route.” 

After graduating with a business degree, Jessy left her hometown of St. Louis for Dallas. She spent her 20s grinding away at a 9-5 job as an administrative assistant while working part-time as a waitress and a model. It was on set that she discovered photography. Jessy persuaded photographers to let her edit photos, and she evolved into a creative director of sorts. This sparked a personal renaissance, prompting her to morph from creative subject to creator — from muse to messenger.

“I got this. I’m going to make this happen! I can’t go back now.” — Jessy J.

Making it work.

Jessy persuaded friends to pose in her apartment to build a portfolio. She took paid (and unpaid) work to gain experience — to network and market herself, and learn her craft. Back then and still today, she draws influence from a 1990s hip-hop film, Belly, starring Nas and DMX.  “The movie Belly is one of my inspirations for many of my pieces. It’s just very colorful, punchy, and has great use of imagery,”she explains of the cult classic. 

At first, Jessy didn’t know of any Black female photographers. She didn’t have a mentor in her field. She relied on the informal artistic education that her parents gave her and YouTube tutorials, so when opportunity came knocking she was ready. “A member of her DJ Spinderella’s team saw my work and reached out.  Being brand new to the photography game I was shocked to even be considered for the job! I listened to her music all the time. I’m a Black girl from St. Louis who grew up listening to Salt-N-Pepa, and now I’m shooting one of the members!” Then came Christina Milian. Jessy’s next big break was in the fashion industry. During the early stages of her career she worked for KRAVE, a national magazine for Black men’s fashion. This launched her to the next level.

“Purposeful chaos.”

Today, Jessy shoots celebrities, Instagram influencers, and works with major brands across America. Before Covid-19, she spent her time flying around the country with her support team to work with clients including Pretty Little Thing and LiveGlam. She’s also proud to work with Black-owned brands like Coloured Raine Cosmetics, Asherah Swimwear, Mint Swim, and Karl Kani Clothing. 

Shooting with her Canon 5DS R, Canon 5D Mark III, and a Sony a6300, Jessy conjures what she likes to call “purposeful chaos” on set. There’s an architectural precision to her vision, but with the flexibility and fluidity of an artist who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the best shot. “I’m a very emotional photographer,” she says. “I don’t care if the lighting isn’t the way it was planned...if the shot looks amazing.” Then it’s time to edit.

“Everyone thinks, like, all we’re doing is shooting all day everyday,” she says. “I’m probably in front of my computer editing more than anything. I touch every photo and I don’t release it unless I’m absolutely excited about it.” Jessy likes to amp up her photography using Curves, Selective Coloring, Color Grading, Dodge, Burn, and Frequency Separation tools in Photoshop.“Honestly, I live in Photoshop,” she says, but she is sure to avoid over-editing skin.

“Honestly, I live in Photoshop.” — Jessy J.

“I don’t like the over-airbrushed look,” she tells me. “I’ve scaled back and kept things more natural. I don’t do tons of skin editing, but I make up for it with my color choices and how I pull colors out of the photo. I want them to jump off the screen. I’m really into coloring. So if I were to choose one or the other, I’d rather make sure the colors are exceptional. And then, the skin is secondary to me because nowadays people like the natural skin aesthetic...I get a lot of really great feedback that keeps me going, keeps me encouraged, and I’m inspired by that.” 

Many models tell Jessy she is the first Black photographer they have ever worked with. “They’re saying, ‘The way you capture Black women, that’s the way we wish all photographers would capture them.’”

A Vision is born.

“I’ve had moments where I walk on set. I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m so grateful right now.’ I cannot believe I got here. And I feel I still have a long way to go, but it’s just... as a female, a woman of color, I’m just like, ‘Damn. This is crazy.’”

As Jessy speaks of her struggles to make it as a photographer while juggling her responsibilities as a mom, I could hear the emotion in her voice. “I didn’t even think that there was an opportunity for me to get to this level, and I get sad about it. ‘Cause it’s like, you know, these opportunities don’t come often...and so when I get these opportunities, I never take them for granted.”

Having grabbed every chance, Jessy is now focused on owning her place in the industry. “You know, everything’s been shot, been done, but once you develop your style it’s so satisfying to have people recognize your body of work she enthuses. “Even if my name hasn’t been tagged in a photo people will message me and ask, ‘Did you shoot this? I knew that was yours!’ It’s humbling and rewarding to know that people can tell that’s a Jessy J image!”