i’m jessica whitaker, photographer and educator

I believe in community over competition (not just when it’s beneficial to me).

I grew up in Seattle, Washington and while I have a wide range of interests, my favorite way to create and connect with people is through photography.

There is nothing I love more than people and capturing their milestone moments. I have been shooting since 2006, but I didn't start to get serious about photography until my freshman year of high school in 2010. All throughout high school, I was job shadowing, assisting, and, eventually, second shooting weddings and other important events.

Fast forward to 2020 with 13 years of a camera in my hand - I work full-time for myself. I shoot with top-of-the-line equipment and few can match my quick turnaround time! In addition to shooting, I also teach photography to other artists all around the globe through my podcast, workshop, and non-profit Build + Bloom®.

A little more about what I love:
my nonprofit Build + Bloom®

Build + Bloom® is a safe space for creatives, both online and in-person. Our online community is made up of creative individuals of all levels. There is a spot at the table for everyone! In 2018, I even had the pleasure of organizing, leading, and teaching eight workshops all around the United States, Paris, and London. These workshops were free admission to bring equal opportunity to anyone in the community, enabling them to change their legacy through a photography business.

SisterxSister is our volunteer stream for young girls in creative media. SisterxSister started in March 2018 and has met in over 16 cities across the United States.