-->
jessilemayphotographyblog.com bio picture

NEW FANCY SHMANCY BLOG! TOGGLE DOWN FOR MORE FABULOUSNESS!

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MOI:

Born 1978. Reno, NV. Spent close to 10 years in other states, including Montana, New Mexico, Minnesota, and California among others. Earned a degree in Photography at MSU in Bozeman (and double majored in Film for 3 of those years); beginning with gelatin silver printing, moving onto large format cameras, alternative processes, and of course, digital media. Had intentions of going into a Masters in Museum Studies (cause I love Art History and I LOVE art in all forms), but made a move towards California for my boyfriends career (now my husband, Rick). Started photographing pregnant women (first one was a model in New Mexico), which, of course, led to photographing newborns. And from that a business was born. I am a lover of Indian Food, Andrew Bird, chubby babies, WINE, camping, Neil Young, Lucian Freud, a good beer, good friends, and finally, travel.

My goal for each customer is to first capture them honestly. I think photos of people should reflect who they are. My second goal is to approach each session, be it a wedding or a family shoot, as a creative challenge. I couldn't do this job if I was not creatively challenged, if there was not an actual "art" to it. Finally, I like simplicity. I never want my customers to feel as though I am trying to hard sell them into packages/products that they do not need. I want to provide an excellent service, a gorgeous product, and to walk away with a satisfied customer and, hopefully, a new friend.

Amanda & Erik - Lake Tahoe - 6.13.2009

erikamanda-7330
erikamanda-7494
erikamanda-7343

erikamanda-7388erikamanda-7456erikamanda-7635erikamanda-7785erikamanda-7734erikamanda-7768erikamanda-7752erikamanda-7857erikamanda-7870erikamanda-8017

erikamanda-8255erikamanda-8328erikamanda-8212erikamanda-8179erikamanda-8141erikamanda-8132erikamanda-8398erikamanda-8491erikamanda-8885erikamanda-8666erikamanda-8286

Katina & James - Chism House - 6.6.2009

katina-4392
katina-4411
katina-4495
katina-4513
katina-4635
katina-4540
katina-4651
katina-4779
katina-4800
katina-4795
katina-4816
katina-4828
katina-4874
katina-4888
katina-5364
katina-5375
katina-5374
katina-5536
katina-5603
katina-6469
katina-6459

Melissa & Zac - Esession

The weather held out just long enough for us to shoot some pics downtown (even after the first reschedule)! Melissa and Zac are supremely busy, probably the busiest people I know, so when Melissa called me to see if we could fit it in, I knew it was now or never. As you can tell, they needed very little direction, clearly have chemistry, and the dog… well, adorable! I hope the two of you made it home dry! Thanks for such a fun afternoon of shooting.

melissa-6986
melissa-6911
melissa-6896
melissa-6957
melissa-6738
melissa-67771
melissa-6786
melissa-6797
melissa-7061
melissa-7128
melissa-7236
collage

Dog People.

Just so you know, I photograph pets too.

dogs-4369

Cammie & Justin - Three Ponds, Juniper Ridge - May 30, 2009

Cammie and Justin had a GORGEOUS wedding at Three Ponds last weekend. I cannot say enough about the venue. It is amazing. period. Cammie and Justin, FAB-U-LOUS. period. Cammie was the calmest bride and Justin was so proud. I l-o-v-e photographing grooms that are so obviously over the moon about their brides. It makes my job so easy. I adore the two of them, and Jake is the best kid (Justin’s son). Anyone would be thrilled to have him as a son. Cammie and Justin, thank you for including me in your big day. Enjoy Oahu, and I will have a ton of photos for you when you get back!

baldwin-2028
baldwin-1992
baldwin-2005
baldwin-2175
baldwin-2187
baldwin-2369
baldwin-2393
baldwin-2437
baldwin-2432
baldwin-2628
baldwin-2661
baldwin-2911
baldwin-3069
baldwin-3425
baldwin-3634
baldwin-3814
baldwin-3373

Amanda & Erik (and Gerdrude too!) - Esession

Amanda and Erik are my favorite kind of people… dog people. No offense to cat people, but I am allergic. First of all, Amanda and Erik are adorable, but the two of them plus Gerdy, pure cuteness! We met downtown (we live dangerously) and I have to say, it was effortless photographing both of them. They love each other, camera on them or off, it is obvious. I can’t wait for the wedding!

amanda-1520
amanda-1542
amanda-1523
amanda-1584
amanda-1545
amanda-1836
amanda-1708
amanda-1751
amanda-1797
amanda-1925
amanda-1609

Michelle & Sebastian - Hyatt Incline Village - May 2, 2009

Michelle and Sebastian were married at the Hyatt in Incline on a pretty rainy day! This very low-key couple had the most intimate and personal ceremony around a fire pit near the beach, which was a pleasure to photograph. Michelle’s sister Melissa (who I need to point out is spectacular, she stepped in as official wedding planner for her sister!) was so proud, it was adorable to see how much she loves her sister. Despite the drizzly day, Michelle and Sebastian ventured out on the pier for some photos and some personal time. I would tell them that rain is good luck, but I have a feeling they won’t need it! Congratulations you two, thanks for allowing me to photograph your day.

silva-castro-7405
silva-castro-7442
silva-castro-7426
silva-castro-7471
silva-castro-8133
silva-castro-7523
silva-castro-7560
silva-castro-8165
silva-castro-7613
silva-castro-7720
silva-castro-7854
silva-castro-8107
silva-castro-8012
silva-castro-7605

Leigh & Justin - Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe

Leigh & Justin have both moved to Reno recently to start their new lives and careers together (there is still often a commute from the Bay Area, but it looks like Reno is home). Their wedding will take place at Squaw Valley in July, and we had the opportunity to get up there one fabulous spring morning to capture a few engagement shots. The meadow was soaked, so we were unable to trudge out too far, but the view, even from the side of the road, was spectacular! So up we went to the lake, and it got even better! I can’t wait to photograph their fabulous wedding. Congrats both of you!

leigh-justin-0761
leigh-justin-0852
leigh-justin-0815
leigh-justin-0856
leigh-justin-0618
leigh-justin-0575

PDN “Top Knots Contest” 2009

I am so proud to announce that as a finalist in PDN’s Top Knots Contest I have been published in their April 2009 “Wedding and Portrait” issue. In addition to having my work considered part of “The new school of wedding photography,” it is a special treat to be featured among industry greats such as Elizabeth Messina, Brad Wolf, Mel Barlow, and Anna Kuperberg. The contest was judged by Jacqueline Tobin, the deputy editor of Photo District News; Rebecca Crumley, the weddings photo editor at The Knot, Inc.; Claudia Hanlin, creator of the Wedding Library; and Michael Goesele, the art director of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons. It is an honor to be a finalist and I look forward to entering next year!
Wallpaper 011
pdn-inside

Cassandra and J.W. - Esession @ Bartley Ranch

Cassandra and J.W. are getting married in October of this year, and were so fun to work with for their engagement session! Both of them are low key and easy to photograph, so much so, that I was able to really capture the affection between the two of them despite J.W.’s camera shyness. We started off at Bartley Ranch and then moved to the river just in time to cool off from the first really HOT day in Reno. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding, such a real and genuine couple are bound to create emotional and authentic images! I can’t wait!

cassandra-6917cassandra-6928cassandra-6968cassandra-6788cassandra-6749cassandra-6740cassandra-7054cassandra-7091cassandra-6818cassandra-7033cassandra-7128cassandra-7191cassandra-7347