Meet Jessica Lee

We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Lee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Some of the best advice I’ve been given is, “always surround yourself with people who are better than you”. When you do this, you’re constantly being inspired to learn and keep growing. By being around people who are doing what you want to do but may be further in their career or is doing it uniquely will only challenge yourself to reach those goals and ask questions of how you can achieve similar goals.

As a photographer, I’m constantly discovering other photographers and seeing the angles they capture, how they edit, light a subject or what unique trends they may be leaning towards. This gets my gears going and makes me want to try something similar or inspire me to mix it with my own style to create what’s unique to me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a photographer originally from Canada but has called Los Angeles, CA home since 2016. I started specializing in Urban Exploring photography (Urbex) when I initially moved here and built up a portfolio from there and mixed my passion for photography with my love for music.

For the past 3.5 years I’ve got to capture history by telling many stories for some of the biggest names in music and venues in Southern California. It feels so special to me because I moved to a city that I knew felt like home and for me to have the amazing opportunities to capture beautiful moments and share it with the world, feels like it came full circle. From photographing the 2024 GRAMMYs for Crypto.com Arena (previously known as Staples Center), spending my last few years as the House Photographer at the Rose Bowl Stadium has given me endless opportunities to photograph world class soccer matches, UCLA Football season, sold out concerts for Coldplay and Karol G and music festivals such as Cruel World and Just Like Heaven.

Alongside helping venues tell their stories, I work with a music publication in the United Kingdom called Renegade Magazine and freelance as well. This has allowed me to photograph and work directly with some of my favorite artists like Simple Plan, The Maine, Boys Like Girls, and recently photographing The Driver Era.

In Los Angeles, we’re definitely spoiled with opportunities and there’s always some type of live entertainment going on! Looking on the horizon, projects coming up for me are finishing up the final 4 games of the UCLA Football season, the Rose Bowl Game and two Oasis shows at the Rose Bowl, Knocked Loose and Marianas Trench at The Observatory OC, Tori Kelly at the Wiltern and another year at the GRAMMYs!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think the most impactful things to hold with you are to never give up, always put in 110% of you and take time to treat yourself.

Crazy enough I’ve been working since I was 14 years old, I’m currently 31. I’ve spent over half my life throwing myself into working and have gotten so used to a busy schedule but I have the opportunities, amazing stories and the jobs I have now because of how hard I’ve worked. Along with never having an off switch, it’s important to remind yourself it’s okay to take a break, slow down, treat yourself and enjoy those fruits of your labor so you don’t burn out.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am always open to collaborate! The beautiful thing about Los Angeles is that there are so many creative people here who aren’t afraid to dream and chase their ideas.

As a photographer in the live entertainment space, I would love to collaborate directly with music artists whether it’s photographing their show, behind the scenes, or organic content for mixed media use. Collaborating with third parties that represent artists, music festivals and events, such as, record labels, publications, agencies, helping these entities create something for their clients but also themselves. In the Urbex photography space, I would love to meet more similar photographers out there and explore abandoned places and skyscraper rooftops together.

The best way to connect with me is on my Instagram- @thatjessmess
Send me a message and let’s create memories and photos!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tjmimages.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatjessmess