Daily Inspiration: Meet Jess Amrich

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

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began creating at a young age but I didn’t pick up a camera until I was a teenager and then in 2012, I began studying fine art photography at a small school in Connecticut. While studying, I got a job as a florist in a grocery store. After graduating, floral design became a more practical way to make steady money while pursuing photography. In between shifts at the grocery store, I would save all of my money to go on road trips out west to take photographs. In 2018, I purchased my van and converted it to be more comfortable on long road trips. I enjoyed the road trips and floral design work but something still felt like it was missing. I was helping build someone else’s dreams and I knew I wanted to build something of my own— I just wasn’t sure how.

It wasn’t until late 2020 and the abrupt end of my three-year relationship that I decided to make some major changes in my life. I knew it was time to take a leap into doing everything I always wanted to do while healing myself and facing my fears, discomfort, and traumas. My deep heartbreak sparked my spiritual awakening. In the midst of my awakening, I moved out of my apartment selling most of my belongings and packing up the rest in my van. I said goodbye to my loved ones and set off on a solo adventure to rediscover myself through the art of photography.

Since July 2021, I have been pursuing photography full-time and traveling the United States in my self-converted camper van. Over the years, I’ve carefully cultivated a unique photographic style that blends both film and digital photography to tell a powerful story. My work is a reflection of my spirit, a celebration of the natural world, and an invitation to see the world in a new way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not a smooth road at all. I picked up a camera over ten years ago and am just now feeling a bit successful with it. Even still, I feel imposter syndrome and sometimes struggle to say I am a photographer when someone asks me what I do. It took many years of working for others and not having enough confidence in myself. I was rejected by many people, places, and jobs. When I began to pursue photography, some didn’t take me seriously because art isn’t always viewed as a real career.

When I finally took the leap to travel in a van in search of myself and wild places, I faced a whole new set of challenges. While it was amazing to travel, I spent a lot of time completely alone, away from family and friends, and milestones being celebrated. I felt really really alone trying to do what I love and for many years, I put my all into something that I barely saw any return on.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a landscape and lifestyle photographer most known for my film photography and living in my van. I am proud of myself and my dedication to my work. It took a lot of discomfort, solitude, and sacrifices to get to where I am now. Even then, I still have so much work to do but I won’t give up.

I think what sets me apart is my fine art background. I began my career in the darkroom, shooting, developing, and printing my own film. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the process of art. While the film has made a huge comeback over the years, there still are a lot of people that don’t fully know or understand the process of it.

I think that’s okay but I know that personally, having worked with the roots of photography for many years, it made me a better photographer now. I also think what sets me apart is my photographic style. I am very detail-oriented and I have a specific vibe that I’ve worked hard to create. I like to keep it minimal and let my photographs tell the story.

What does success mean to you?
It’s easy to determine it by numbers but I think at the end of the day, it is how happy you are with yourself and the life you’re living.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessamongthewild.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessamongthewild/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jesamongthewild
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessamongthewild