Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jess Marz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jess, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I picked up a camera for the first time when I was snooping through the bedrooms of my then foster mom, now adopted mom, Valerie Marz. I came across dusty old cameras that looked like they have been hidden away for years. I brought my findings to mom to inquire how I could start using these abandoned cameras and give them a new purpose. Ever since I was 11 years old, I have had a camera strapped to me. I was passionate about photography as a hobby, but it wasn’t until I took a dark room photography class in my junior year of high school that I realized I could pursue photography professionally. One of my images was chosen by my instructor for an exhibit at the Los Angeles Cathedral for a year and we even had a ceremony celebrating our work being displayed.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up around a lot of artists and my mother often encouraged me to pursue artistic endeavors when I was a child. My mom is the main reason I’m pursuing a career in a creative industry. I wouldn’t be where I am without her!

I’m a very versatile artist. I am able to be successful and helpful in many different roles. I can lead a photoshoot as the photographer, I am able to grip on set, I am comfortable digi teching, and I thrive in leadership roles such as producing. I am most proud of my work ethic. I’m able to be thrown into an unknown environment and learn to thrive. I never let problems consume me, in fact I encourage them because I love a challenge.

My work started off as documentary photography with a specific lens pointed at my culture as a Mexican American. Growing up, I often felt disconnected from my culture and I used my camera to bridge a relationship between me and my severed ties. Then my work morphed into self portraiture during the pandemic. I was struggling with my identity and I used my camera as a form of communication to let what I could express verbally. I felt that I was “too white” for my Mexican family, but “too Mexican” for my adopted family. I’m also a queer woman who is straight presenting and often struggled being “too straight.” I felt that society kept trying to put me into boxes that I couldn’t fully occupy. My lens helped me through that. I’m currently working on a series called “Bodie Diaries,” where I am photographing people and their tattoos. I feel that tattooed people are often put into a box as well and I want to help destigmatize tattoos. I’ve also been adding my passion for horror into my photographs. I often enter my sets with the word “eerie” or “ethereal” in mind. I enjoy the weird and unconventional things in life, it brings me comfort.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Inclusivity! I want people to resonate with my work. I want people to feel seen and feel less alone. I’ve spent much of my life feeling excluded and like I’ve never belonged and if my work is able to reach people on a deeper level then I know everything would have been worth it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I love collaborating with other people. I leave every interaction feeling very satisfied. I like to say that I’m an “extra-ly extroverted” person. I greatly enjoy talking to people and understanding where they’ve walked in the shoes they wear daily. I love picking people’s brains on the most random beautiful things about life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: marzphotographs