Meet Jess Humphries

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

Hi Jess, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a teen of the late 90’s-early 00’s era of new tech, I recall having very young memories of my parents passing back-and-forth various cameras over the years as they quickly evolved. First, of course in the late 80’s and early 90’s of my youngest years — film cameras and VHS tape video recorders; then, eventually, digital versions of those too.

They would attempt to capture all of our military family travels abroad as well as simpler classic moments like birthdays and pool parties. My sister and I would always playfully fight over who would shoot our next DIY Spice Girls music video or reality TV show about our very important suburban lives as 12-year-olds. My dad would warn us to be careful not to tape over the wedding VHS tape or his favorite sci-fi shows.

By around the age of 12-13, I was pretty obsessed with obtaining my *very own* digital camera to start preparing for my big photography career duh. No joke, I ran around the woods behind my house in the burbs to take “nature” shots or would change into ten different thrifted outfits to model while I sloppily set self-timer to practice poses for editorial work like I’d seen on America’s Next Top Model.

I definitely made all my friends pose for portraits at one time or another. Every. Last. One. (Sorry to all of you angels, and thank you. Especially the early years, haha.) I even started working retail at age 14 with a work permit so I could begin saving up for a DSLR camera (like the real pros had!) and an acoustic guitar of course (so I could be a rock star too).

I spent most of my free time since getting my first “real” camera around age 14-15 shooting everything, all the time. I was so excited to finally have a good camera and lens. I would shoot my friends, myself, our neighborhoods, our adventures around rural Virginia, our trips to DC and Richmond to see emo or pop-punk bands. We had a lot of fun just being creative together.

My first class on 35mm film photography was in high school with an amazing teacher I’ll never forget, named Ms. Dittamo. Even just covering the basics of the elements of B&W photography on a very foundational level was so eye-opening for me. It was my first time perceiving photography as a fine art. I was in love. I was sorta good at it, too.

I quickly joined the Photo Club so I could spend all my free time learning in the darkroom. I still have fond memories of getting delivered hand-written hall passes to “go finish a photo project” (aka get out of Algebra). It meant everything to me to finally be seen as an artist by literally anyone. It was so exciting and validating for young me.

Fast-forward to graduating with my BS in Communications in 2011 from VCU in Richmond, VA, moving to Atlanta to pursue photography and potentially work in the film industry. After years of doing freelance event videography and editing, I now mostly focus on portrait photography, helping businesses with branding and lifestyle photography, and some small events! There are no limits to what I will explore creatively and I’m very excited to see what unfolds for me with photography in the coming years!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m glad you asked this question. Social media can really hurt us if we are constantly comparing our very real and difficult lives to the edited sunshine-y versions of folks shared on Instagram. Now, although this is not true for everyone, most people are not sharing their biggest struggles or darkest moments on their IG stories. (If you are: THANK YOU, we all need people like you!)

Taking a moment to appreciate where you are at is key. Who cares where that one successful person you follow is at!? Their life has been entirely different to your experience. That’s why you are you, to live YOUR beautiful unique life. Not theirs! I am definitely learning to enjoy the journey instead of being so destination-focused. (Because… what happens when you get what you want? You want something new in its place!)

Vulnerability is also so important. As an artist, I’m learning in order to feel openly creative in my expression, I must heal my past wounds in order to fully open my heart. Being open is hard & requires some strength and self-protection, too.

I have struggled (like many) throughout the years with depression and anxiety. Stigma is real. Sometimes the people closest to you cannot or will not understand what you’re going through. Seeking help is essential but not easy or always accessible to all because of our backwards healthcare system. Try anyway. If you don’t have insurance there are affordable counselors who do this work for free to keep you alive. Your life is worth it. If you’re afraid, ask a friend, they’ll make the call for you. Just please, don’t give up.

I think struggles will be a part of everyone’s life in different times and in different forms, some more than others. What is important is not to focus on the struggle but on how we react and choose to grow and change from that struggle to become something new. Buddhism calls this transmutation. Transforming pain into compassion and understanding for others. It’s a beautiful concept that has helped me immensely. We can’t always avoid struggle, but we can control how we feel and react to these varying situations life throws at us with practice and patience.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer who specializes in 35mm film & digital photography.

Shooting on film has allowed me to slow down and minimize in a society obsessed with speed and excess. I love that. You’re so much more careful with those 24-36 frames that you can’t preview! Film is the ultimate trust fall. You’re trusting this old rickety camera that happens to perform magic, and you’re also trusting your own skill to properly frame, focus and expose the image just-so.

I shoot both film and digital for solo, couples & family portrait work, maternity, headshots, lifestyle and branding shoots, intimate events, product images for web, you name it! Offering film and digital photos gives my clients both nostalgic film photos as well as high-definition images to print and share with loved ones for generations to come!

As far as for my own creative work, I am really looking forward to begin more conceptual shoots for my portfolio in the coming months. I would ultimately love to be shooting more editorial work with local designers, collaborating with small businesses, as well as supporting my local community and their photography & creative direction needs! Let me art direct your stuff! Hit me up to be featured in your gallery! Excited to meet models, hair stylists and others needing portfolio work in the Atlanta-area too.

You can check out some of my portrait work, prints for sale & contact for shoot inquiries or collaboration on my website.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Although I am a student of astrology, I wouldn’t say *luck* is a big enough word to encapsulate how things play out in someone’s life! There are so many variables. From what you chose to wear today to the person you smiled at the coffee shop… each thing is a catalyst for another. At least that’s my philosophy on the matter. A random connection in line at the store could be your next gig!

It is also important to acknowledge inherent white privilege and access to resources. I was able to have some things that others may not have had at a young age. Are there still photographers who started YESTERDAY who are better than me? Yes. I think creativity is much more about the beauty of the mind of the person perceiving the scene to be captured. The camera is definitely just the vessel (in my opinion).

I don’t think I’ve been lucky. But I’m grateful for everything I have been given or “earned” in this precious lifetime. I have an unquenchable thirst for creating and capturing and sharing beauty and joy and the whole human experience into a little rectangle. I love everything about photography and cementing micro-moments.

With my privileges, I have a duty to give back to those who haven’t been given proper leverage or exposure. We have a duty to give back to the Indigenous people whose land we occupy, POC & the LGBTQ+ community, along with the thousands of unhoused and any other overlooked human beings. If any other local creatives have any collaborations or ideas on ways to give back that I can assist or participate in, please reach out any time. I look forward to contributing back as much as I gain.

To beginner photographers, a tip: quit getting hung up on equipment and go shoot with the cheapest working thrift store camera you can find. Yes, you can find something for even under $20. Or start with expensive disposable cameras if you want to try film but don’t know where to start!

(& don’t shame other people for their current gear! We all start somewhere.)

Just begin. Imperfect action is better than no action! Walk that walk, baby.

Contact Info:

• Email: jesscretephoto@gmail.com
• Website: www.jesscretephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesscretephoto/?hl=en

Image Credits
Photographer: Jess Crete Humphries Model: Gina Sheridan