About J. Gwyn

 

Hi, friends!

I go primarily by my middle name, Gwyn. It started in high school as a way for my friends to differentiate me from the 3 other Jessica’s. Now, I simply feel that it suits me best - a compliment to my ginger hair.

I became a certified Barre3 instructor in 2023. I started taking classes as a client in 2017 and fell in love with Barre3’s combination of balance and strength training. The decision to go through training came from both desire to go deeper in my practice and to shake me out of a rut I’d found myself in. Teaching Barre3 is the perfect complement to my work as a photographer - building a balance between creativity and physical activity. Plus my knees hurt a lot less from kneeling at shoots now that my legs are stronger.

I start looking forward to my morning espresso at 5 p.m. the night before.

Anime has become my current tv obsession. I started with Studio Ghibli films (which I consider to be some of the most important pieces of media ever made) and my interest grew from there. Please send your recommendations!

I enjoy and indulge arts of all kinds from film to architecture and pottery. Experiencing other types of creative expression inspires me to be a better, more well rounded observer.

My sense of humor falls somewhere between Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bob’s Burgers.

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is welcome here.

 

Photo by the one and only Payton Marie.

 

I grew up in an adventurous family.

We lived all over Colorado in my youth and took full advantage by camping or hiking nearly every weekend it was above 50 degrees. A leisurely hiker since birth, I stopped often to observe a particularly lush meadow, listen to the soft rush of a creek, or simply take a deep breath. I was frequently left behind. Soon, I began to steal the family point and shoot. I became obsession to try and preserve these moments written with light.

Creativity has always come naturally to me. 

Writing for the longest time was my favorite form of creative expression. Essays were exciting. I thrived when given the opportunity to learn more about a subject and present it in the most creative or unusual way I could. That excitement, to take a subject and share it from a fresh perspective, has translated seamlessly into my photo work. Once I made the decision to pick up a camera, photography has always felt the most natural and effective tool for me to indulge my need to put my fingerprint on a story or piece of history.

I married my ultimate foil and compliment, Gideon (pictured left), in July 2016 after six of years of dating.

We were engaged and married in exactly 2 months. After years of dating, we did not want to wait. We had a small backyard wedding at a family member’s home filled with generational memories. It felt natural to us to add a new precious story to the property. Now, Gideon and I both get left behind on hikes with my family. He can find awe nearly anywhere. Finding my spouse has changed my life.

I am a self described introverted extrovert.

Since I was young, I have been a quiet observe. It has made me very slow to judge and a quick study of sublte communication. This skill is invaluable in creating an environment where every person can feel comfortable in front of the camera. The intentionality I feel when I have a camera in my hands, shifts my quiet observer to a confident creator. I was made for this - to make people feel seen and comfortable in this exact moment.