Hi, I’m Jessie
I am a photographer who specializes in analogue portraiture.
nyc/available for projects worldwide
My portrait practice serves as an invitation for us to return to our most authentic states. Social programming and trauma create a dissonance between who we are and who we think we are. Through my lens, I interrogate persona and challenge the limited, fixed beliefs we hold about ourselves.
Together we will open up possibilities for an expansion of consciousness. What happens when we allow ourselves to step into our fullness? My portraits are souvenirs from these moments.
My super powers are a strong eye for detail and intuitive empathy. I have an instinctual knack for disarming one’s learned defense mechanisms, thereby unmasking limitless potential.
When you are photographed by me, you will be on a journey of pure self-expression. My portraits support creatives, artists, dreamers, healers, punks, freedom fighters, and anyone who rejects being put in a cage. I am here for true originals who are committed to living their dynamism.
What are Cinematic Portraits?
A cinematic portrait is not your average representation of one’s likeness. These historical records do not only capture an impression of what you look like, they unveil the nucleus of you.
I strive to make images that evoke a strong sense of mood, atmosphere, and narrative, reminiscent of scenes from beloved films. Drawing inspiration from both cinematography and photography, I create scenes that lure viewers into your own nuanced perspective. Through subtle hints of storytelling, I will translate you through visual poetry.
“Quand je suis la, J’ai l’impression que j’habite le cinema, que c’est ma maison, il me semble que j’y ai toujours habite.”
Translation: Cinema is my home. I think I’ve always lived in it.
― Agnès Varda
About Jessie
I am an interdisciplinary creative whose primary focuses are photography, poetry, mixed media, curation, and organizing art benefits for social causes.
For nearly a decade, I was a contributor for Purple Fashion Magazine; I documented art + culture events in NYC, Los Angeles, and Miami. I have also been published in/on Vogue Italia, Dazed, BUST, Refinery 29, Bullett, Nylon, Departures, Huffington Post, The London Evening Standard, The Sun-Sentinel, Paper, Whitewall, Dwell, Grazia, Zink, Autre, Oyster, Miami New Times, V Magazine, ArtInfo, Art21, FEM Magazine, Electric Literature, Artillery, Poetry Foundation, and The Hollywood Reporter. My photographs have been exhibited in Miami, New York, and London.
Chopova Lowena, Jenny Holzer “Light Line”, Cobra
rurumu:, Photo by Jan Chien, Baltimore postcard by CharmCityCalligraphy on Etsy
Roe v. Wade protest, Chiikawa, Ricoh GR III camera, Shibuya Kei music
More About Me
01. I was born in a small town in Long Island, New York. I’ve also called South Florida and Los Angeles, California home. I currently live in Queens, NY.
02. My life has centered around storytelling. I never want to limit myself to a singular medium, as I believe different forms of creative expression are all branches from the same tree. Photography has always been a powerful tool for truth-telling and meaning-making.
03. I studied performing arts at the Atlantic Theatre Company’s professional conservatory. I also received a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies (English, communication, women’s/gender studies) from FAU, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude.
04. Travel is my favorite way to reawaken my senses.
05. I’m a huge music geek, and making playlists brings me so much joy. Some of my favorite genres include folk, post-punk, shoegaze, dream pop, new-wave, indie rock, psychedelic rock, synth pop, 90’s alternative, punk rock, jazz, French pop, Shibuya-kei, and ambient.
06. I am inspired by Eastern philosophy & consciousness, Buddhist psychology, meditation, yoga, the healing arts, and spiritual studies.
07. Style, design, and craftsmanship interest me because they serve as reflections of culture and individuality.
08. I collect crystals and minerals from around the world. Each specimen holds a unique story of geological formation and makes me feel a sense of interconnectedness with all living things.
09. I am an intersectional feminist and LGBTQIA+/anti-racist ally. My work challenges dominant narratives upheld by capitalist institutions in an effort to cultivate a more equitable society.
10. I am obsessed with kawaii, blind boxes, plushies, designer toys, and Japanese character design; it heals my inner child!
11. NYC’s East Village holds a special place in my heart due its history of being a bohemian hub to poets, hippies, punk and no wave bands, graffiti artists, misfits, and counterculture.
Mood Board
FILM INFLUENCES:
I am inspired by the French new-wave (+ Czech and Australian), Giallo films, 80’s & 90’s teen movies, punk/subcultural film, and surrealism. Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, Wanda, The Color of Pomegranates, and The Passion of Joan of Arc are important to me, as are films from the following directors:
PT Anderson
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Roy Andersson
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Kenneth Anger
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Chantal Akerman
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Michaelangelo Antonioni
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Dario Argento
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Ingmar Bergman
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Lizzie Borden
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Robert Bresson
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Luis Buñuel
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Jane Campion
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Leos Carax
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John Cassavetes
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Sofia Coppola
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David Cronenberg
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Vera Chytilová
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Maya Deren
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Rainer Werner Fassbinder
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Federico Fellini
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Jonathan Glazer
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Jean-Luc Godard
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Michael Haneke
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Todd Haynes
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Werner Herzog
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Derek Jarman
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Jim Jarmusch
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Jean-Pierre Jeunet
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Alejandro Jodorowsky
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Miranda July
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Abbas Kiarostami
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Harmony Korine
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Stanley Kubrick
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Aki Kurasmaki
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Akira Kurosawa
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yorgos lanthimos
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David Lynch
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Guy Maddin
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Louis Malle
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Dusan Makavejev
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Kenji Mizoguchi
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Ermanno Olmi
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Ruben Östlund
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Pier Paolo Pasolini
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Nicolas Roeg
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Éric Rohmer
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Jean Rollin
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Susan Seidelman
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Lars von Trier
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Agnes Varda
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John Waters
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Peter Weir
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Wim Wenders
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Thomas Vinterberg
PT Anderson / Roy Andersson / Kenneth Anger / Chantal Akerman / Michaelangelo Antonioni / Dario Argento / Ingmar Bergman / Lizzie Borden / Robert Bresson / Luis Buñuel / Jane Campion / Leos Carax / John Cassavetes / Sofia Coppola / David Cronenberg / Vera Chytilová / Maya Deren / Rainer Werner Fassbinder / Federico Fellini / Jonathan Glazer / Jean-Luc Godard / Michael Haneke / Todd Haynes / Werner Herzog / Derek Jarman / Jim Jarmusch / Jean-Pierre Jeunet / Alejandro Jodorowsky / Miranda July / Abbas Kiarostami / Harmony Korine / Stanley Kubrick / Aki Kurasmaki / Akira Kurosawa / yorgos lanthimos / David Lynch / Guy Maddin / Louis Malle / Dusan Makavejev / Kenji Mizoguchi / Ermanno Olmi / Ruben Östlund / Pier Paolo Pasolini / Nicolas Roeg / Éric Rohmer / Jean Rollin / Susan Seidelman / Lars von Trier / Agnes Varda / John Waters / Peter Weir / Wim Wenders / Thomas Vinterberg
what makes film special?