‘I quickly learned I’d rather die young than continue on the path of financial advisory.’
Meet Jess Withey, the wedding photographer who’s travelled far and wide photographing some of the most luxurious weddings imaginable. Did I mention she also has launched her own ethical streetwear fashion brand Church of Antioch? But her story doesn’t start with pure talent or overnight success.
Picture via: @jesswitheyphoto
She's been all over the world, her photography has been featured in Vogue and she has just launched her own clothing brand. But her creative life hasn’t always been so rich and colourful. In her college years Jess dropped her AS in Photography. She describes: ‘I decided to take up AS Level Photography and ended up quitting because I would always be marked fairly average on anything I created. My work wasn't 'art', I just wanted to take photos of people not concepts and that doesn't get you good grades.’
That was enough to call it quits. I wonder how many successful photographers, artists and writers have given up after being labelled average by a school or institution? Authentic art doesn’t always flourish in the Petri dish environment schools and colleges offer. Second, third and fourth opinions weighing in on your creative process.
But Jess had decided, she says: ‘So, I clearly assumed that those types of things just weren't for me - and most certainly weren't a viable career path to aim for.’ Little did she knows years later she'd be taking photos like these:
Picture via: http://jesswithey.com/
We hear of a creative industry, for example art and we think it’s all natural and God-given talent. Overnight Picasso standard paintings. But that’s far from the truth of the reality of what it takes to master your craft.
Despite photographing for celebrities in the most beautiful hotspots of Italy Jess says: ‘five years on, and quite frankly, I'm still not the most technical photographer you'll ever meet. I don't geek out over camera settings or lenses but I do have a whole world of creative vision and the determination to go with it. Tell me I can't do something and I'll show you you're wrong.’
But like many successful creatives, Jess didn’t start out as photographer. Her first real job was in finance. It was while working as a financial advisor that the allure of photography began to take root in her mind. She says: ‘Nick, my boss at the time, had been studying a six-year degree in photography on the side of his business. He was one of those guys whose interests rubbed off on people and the more he shared with me about his love for photography, the more I realised I actually thought it was pretty cool too. Not only that, but I totally had an eye for it. I just had no idea how to use a camera yet.’
So, when did things change? She adds: ‘This isn't one of those stories where things just took off within a year - I sucked to begin with. In fact, I sucked for quite a long time - but, nonetheless, I'd decided I was starting this thing - I was going to be a businesswoman now.’
I wonder how many of us have had that same revelation? The moment where you give in to that nagging call that you were meant to do more. That a vision could become a reality.
For those looking or needing a reminder, your craft may take you years but don’t give up on your passion.
Jess says: ‘Over 5 years or so, I have poured myself into learning my craft and eventually growing my business to book out my calendar shooting things I absolutely love.’
But once your work is featured in Vogue there’s no denying you have something special. It’s the top of the top right? The stuff dreams are made of. But what does it feel like to have your work in Vogue? (Because most of us can only dream) Jess says: ‘This was super cool and a real pinch me moment to show me how far I'd come, hard work pays off people. Vogue hand-pick's wedding suppliers once a year that they recommend to their readers and I got to be one of the lucky few.'
What about fangirl moments? ‘Not really, I'm not someone who gets too flustered around VIP's or celebrities but I did work with gorgeous Emma Louise Connolly on a bridal campaign for Grace Loves Lace. I've been obsessed with her ever since. She's the kind of beautiful that requires no effort and she's funny.’
Picture via: http://jesswithey.com/
Do you have your big day coming up and a generous budget? I’ve got you covered, what would someone who’s captured celebrity weddings and seen first-hand breath-taking wedding venues recommend?
But when it comes to location Jess recommends: ‘Three of the most stunning venues I've ever shot at are: Castello Di Casole, this wedding was for a celebrity footballer and this venue is absolutely insane. Massieria Potenti, an all-white utopia if simple, minimal, neutral vibes are your thing. Aynhoe Park, Banbury, where my husband and I got married. It's very eccentric and comes with some incredible stories of parties past where Kate Moss swung on the chandeliers in her underwear.'
And when it comes to the details she adds: ‘I love when couples give tradition the boot and make it completely their own. Why do you need a wedding cake anyway, right? Who said so? You do you! While wedding 'inspiration' is all well and good, watch that you don't end up creating a day that doesn't reflect you one bit. If you don't regularly eat caviar don't pay £100.00 per person to have it as a starter. It's inauthentic and inauthenticity is a vibe killer. My husband and I ordered in a dominoes to our wedding in the crazy mansion for the evening food and it was the coolest vibe ever and so us.'
Find Jess at:
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