Born and raised just outside Vancouver, in Burnaby, British Columbia – an area rich in biodiversity – it didn't take Jess long to spark an interest in the natural world. His childhood was spent hiking and birdwatching with his family, throughout the Pacific Northwest. With help from his father, an avid hobbyist nature photographer at the time, this interest in the outdoors developed into a passion for artistically documenting living creatures and dramatic landscapes. In 2011, Jess was awarded the International Youth Photographer of the Year award from Nature's Best Photography; prompting him to further pursue this serious hobby.
Since then, Jess has gone on to be awarded in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, among other accolades. Photography has brought him deep into the backcountry of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and throughout remote regions of Central and South America. Living in an area with charismatic wildlife rivaled only by the surrounding scenery, Jess has developed a unique style combining elements from both landscape and wildlife photography; creating contextual images that bridge the gap, speaking to both the animal's and environment's story. Equally at home, alone in the wilderness or in a group setting sharing his experiences, Jess is eager to continue exploring; raising awareness about the world's incredible natural beauty, as well as guiding photography workshops to help others pursue their passion. Jess' work has been displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, the London Natural History Museum in the UK and the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, Canada. He is also an experienced public speaker, having lectured aboard Cunard Cruise Liners, and at the renowned Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles, California.
