Check Out Jess Blackwell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Blackwell.

Hi Jess, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got started in architecture and design photography back in 2010 sort of accidentally! I went to film school at USC in Los Angeles and worked as an editor for a few years before deciding that I just didn’t feel like I was on the right path. Like any good (elder) millennial, I moved home with my mom for a bit to figure out what I wanted to do next. She is a high end realtor in Princeton, NJ where I’m from, and I started photographing her listings just for fun. I didn’t expect to fall in love with it as quickly as I did. I’d always had an interest in design thanks to growing up under my mom’s wing, seeing all those amazing houses dating back to the 1600’s. She’s been with the same firm since a month before I was born and they are like family, so they were wonderfully supportive as I explored this new passion. My older sister, who has been a major influence and role model throughout my life, had started her career as a photojournalist by then, so I’m sure she played a big role in my interest in photography as well. I spent the next 5 years or so on staff with my mom’s firm shooting anything from condos worth $150k to estates worth over $10 million. It was an amazing learning experience to shoot such a wide variety of projects and face unique challenges with each. I felt like I’d found something that I really enjoyed, happened to be pretty good at, was exciting and different every day, and which had potential to give me the lifestyle I wanted. When my now husband and I decided to move to Denver, I took what I’d learned and started on staff with a Cherry Creek based firm. After about a year there, I knew it was time to go independent and move from shooting real estate to focusing on architecture and interior design, and I couldn’t be happier with where I am today!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve been very lucky, and it has been a relatively smooth road. The biggest challenge was deciding to go independent. I was salaried at both real estate firms and the clients were built-in, so I never had to think about how to fill my schedule, pay my bills, or grow my business. Going solo was a big leap, and I couldn’t have done it without my husband’s support, emotional and financial! He didn’t doubt for a second that I could do it. It took a few years to replace my salary and some stress definitely came with that, but those early clients were amazing and so loyal that I was able to build a strong foundation and grow everything from there.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer, specializing in architecture and interior design. I work with architects, designers, builders, and magazines to capture their work for their portfolios, award submissions, and publication. I would say my specialty is blending supplemental lighting with ambient light to capture spaces at their best, and incorporating people into the images to bring a sense of life and scale to the space. I’m proud that many of my clients have been with me for years, a testament to the relationship we’ve built (personal and professional in many cases), and the trust they have in my ability to represent them artistically. I have a lot of love for my profession and my clients, and I think they can feel that.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentorship has definitely played a role in my growth. Putting myself out there is not something that comes naturally to me. While my confidence has grown over the years, I have really had to work at making connections. I don’t know if I should mention names, but early on I reached out to a local magazine editor whose work really inspired me, explaining my passion for the work and asking for any advice he may have for improving my work enough to eventually shoot for him. He was not only willing to meet with me, but gave me invaluable advice, opportunities to shoot for him, and made connections that catapulted my creative and professional growth. I couldn’t be more grateful and honored that someone as busy and respected as he is was willing to take a chance on me. That experience taught me that there are people who want to guide and grow the next generation of talent in their industry and it’s worth pushing through your fear to find them. I am doing my best to pay that forward to people who reach out admiring my work, striving to help them learn and grow into the best version of themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessblackwellphotography.com
• Instagram: @jessblackwellphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessBlackwellPhoto

Image Credits
Jess Blackwell Photography