In the beginning I saw photography as a suitable subject for me as I have never been very academic. Initially I focused my photography on nature and landscapes without any real success in developing my own style but was fortunate enough to get good marks throughout college. It wasn’t until I studied at university that I began photographing people and found a genuine love for it. I put in great effort and focus at university to fully allow my creativity to flow exploring various areas of photography and discovering where my real passion lay.
I shot my series 'Boys' for my final major project, I wanted to capture a series that would challenge my abilities and present an element of risk in how it would be perceived by the assessors. I felt this approach would not only help me emphasise my style and technique but would also enhance my photographic skills and capabilities. The series brings thoughtfulness, awareness and shines a positive light on an industry which is associated with taboos and negativity. I see this project as my first piece of work that truly represents me as a photographer and a springboard in my journey to be a documentary photographer.
Over the next year I will be building on my portfolio and I am genuinely excited at the prospect of meeting new people capturing their stories in my photography work. Through my documentary work I aim to build a relationship between the subject and the viewer, allowing the viewer to identify and relate to someone or something that they hadn’t previously realised they had anything in common with.
Website -- www.jessicakellyphotography.com
Instagram -- @jessica.kelly_
Twitter -- @jltkphoto
Tumblr -- www.jessicakellyphotography.tumblr.com
EXHIBITIONS--
The Printspace Gallery AOP Student Awards Exhibition - July 2015
The Old Truman Brewery AOP Photography Awards Exhibition - October 2015
The Embassy Tea Gallery Portrait Salon Exhibition - November 2015
The Reminders Photography Stronghold Gallery Tokyo - February 2016
The Old Truman Brewery FreeRange Exhibition part of FE4TURE - July 2016
AWARDS--
Best in category - AOP Open Awards Stills Category - 2015
The sex industry is one of the world’s oldest, yet continues to be kept largely out of society’s view—these portraits, focusing on male escorts, offer a sensitive look at a group of deeply overlooked individuals.
