Meet Jesi Lee | Photographer, Artist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesi Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesi, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
There was a night I can pinpoint back in September 2022, where I was sitting at my kitchen table in the dark, mulling over what my next move was. I hadn’t taken the leap to go full time in photography yet. I was plagued with imposter syndrome. I was constantly comparing myself to all the photographers in town and wondered if there was truly space for me. Then I remembered this advice I had heard somewhere (can’t remember where), “find what makes you different and you’ll have something no one else offers.”

I grabbed a notebook and began writing. I am a big believer in manifesting and putting out our deepest hopes and wildest dreams into the universe. I knew that if I invested in myself, leaned into my truth, the “right” clients will come.

That month I hired a web designer, invested in my workflow, stopped comparing myself to other photographers and decided to shoot only the sessions that bring me joy and inspire me. I turned down jobs that came my way and referred them to other photographers if they didn’t align with the authenticity that I was trying to find within my own work.

The following year, I doubled my income while shooting less sessions. All because I leaned into my truth, my uniqueness and realized that there was room for me in this saturated market after all.

Every single client I worked with after that has inspired me, trusted my creativity and aligned with my values as a photographer. There was joy, passion and purpose in my work and that was the greatest reward.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My background and training is in fine art & design. According to my family, I have been drawing since I was born. “Jesi had no interest in toys, she wanted pen and paper in her crib.”

My father was an artist and photographer. He saw potential in me and really fostered my talents. I was given fine art and photography books instead of barbies. I was taught how to hold a camera properly before graduating kindergarten. I can confidently say that art is in my blood.

The journey to where I am now hasn’t been easy. Not only did I have a tumultuous upbringing and home life, I also had no knowledge of my neurodivergence for most of my life. I was always the “gifted” student, yet I struggled to pass classes that were of no interest to me. I switched majors in college constantly. I dove into business ventures headfirst only to burn out or move on quickly.

Until I applied for a job as an artist mentor for adults with disabilities for a non-profit called Opportunity Village. I was in my early twenties with only two years of college under my belt and I applied for a position that required a bachelor’s degree or higher. Even though I knew I was severely underqualified on paper, I thought to myself, “What do I have to lose?” I was hired.

This was the first job that really lit a fire in me to pursue a career as an artist but I knew it had to be with purpose. I learned so much from the clients I worked with and the unique ways each person processes creative information. Many of my clients had autism, down syndrome, and other developmental and physical differences.

Opportunity village allowed me to mentor and teach but I also got to do photography, graphic design and more. It was an AuDHD wonderland.

My boyfriend (now husband) asked me to move to Cambodia with him for a promotion he received at work and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity of a lifetime to travel and explore the world. So I tearfully left that dream job and leaped into another adventure.

I immediately sought creative work within schools, nonprofits and other organizations in Cambodia. I found myself volunteering as an Arts Curriculum Design Coordinator for a charity called Cambodian Children’s Fund. Within a month or so, I applied for a full time graphic design role in their marketing team. This team very quickly became a second family to me. I got to work closely with our photographer, copywriter, interns and creative manager on giant projects. I spearheaded the design for a massive gala in Hong Kong. I designed everything from shirts, posters, marketing materials, email campaigns, event themes and more for all our offices across the globe from the UK, Australia, Hong Kong and the USA.

By the end of my time at Cambodian Children’s Fund, I had a robust amount of experience under my belt -with only a 2 year degree.

Within the two and half years there, I painted murals in Phnom Penh and Vietnam. I added dozens of stamps to my passport and most importantly- I did all of this with my camera in my hands.

Photography had always been the constant creative outlet but I never dove into it full time. I shot portraits on the side and a random wedding here and there, but it was never my main “career”.

When I lived in Cambodia, I took numerous photos during our travels and I truly believe that it was through those experiences that really shaped my style today. I spent two years photographing with no boundaries. I photographed monks in ancient temples, street vendors that sold scorpions and snakes as snacks, crab fishermen hauling in their catch during sunrise, street art that lined abandoned buildings and the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

The photojournalistic approach and style that I shoot weddings all came from that.

Now, I spend my days in our cozy home in the midwest. I live a quiet life with my husband and beautiful son- but when I grab my camera and set off to photograph a session or a wedding, I feel like that girl again. The one who hung out of a tuktuk to photograph children playing in flooded streets. The girl who captured quick glances from locals who spoke a completely different language but their smile was universal. I hope that my clients see how much of my heart goes into capturing their most cherished memories.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My husband has been my teammate since day one. The last several years have not been an easy journey. My mental health took a hit after having my son and even worse after the pandemic. We learned about my neurodivergence pretty late into our marriage and it’s been an ongoing learning experience for us both. I suffered postpartum anxiety, depression, PMDD, all while caring for our son and running several businesses. I’ve spent the last couple of years rebuilding, healing and learning about my mind and spirit.

I have been a creative producer, graphic designer, artist, muralist, vintage/antique reseller and photographer for the entirety of our relationship. With each and every fleeting change in interest or my need to do it all, my husband’s been the constant.

One day I may decide photography isn’t my primary focus anymore and I’ll discover some other outlet for my creativity. In many ways this can be exhausting, not just for me but for the people around me. He has supported each of my endeavours, no matter what it may be and I’m so grateful for him.

Website: www.jesileephotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesilee.photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographybyjesi/

Image Credits
The main image of me was taken by Chris Holtmeier of Foton Foto The photo of me holding a camera was taken by Katie Largent Photography The photo of me in front of the flower mural that I painted, was taken by Ariel Panowicz