Meet Jessica Isaac

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Isaac and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I’m not a big “end goal” kind of person, for better or worse. I think keeping a certain flexibility around my job and the direction it takes has been an important part of my success so far. I’m more interested in being a part of the present and keeping my finger on the pulse of my industry and my personal fulfillment, ready and willing to adjust or change things up if it’s time. Like when AI takes over the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career started when I landed freelance gig as a House Tour Contributor for the early design blog Apartment Therapy in 2014. I loved capturing real people’s self-designed homes, but knew there probably wasn’t a huge market for that. From there I began building a clientele of local interior designers who needed portfolio images and honing my photography skills to focus on architecture. It all just happened organically and grew to a self-sustaining business once I started getting published and gained some credibility.

My biggest hurdle is probably confidence, so artistically taking a leap or being assertive in quoting rates that are high enough to sustain me are a couple recurring issues I still deal with today.

Staying true to myself has been an ongoing goal that I try to stay tethered to. It’s easy, especially with social media, to see what others are doing and want to copy them or get down on yourself for not having the same success or artistic vision. It is not good for my imposter syndrome. This is why I avoid social media as much as possible. It’s a great tool for inspiration and connection, but it can be soul crushing and set unrealistic goals (no news here).

I’m always excited to capture the mood of a space as it strikes me when I first walk in, which entails finding the right light and composition to convey whatever that means to me. From there I collaborate with the designer, stylist, or home owner to find out what they love and how my vision aligns with theirs. Over the years, I’ve found that it’s collaboration that strengthens my work, not dilutes it, and I’m thankful for clients who love this process as well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Coffee: Kumquat or Collage
Pastries: Out of Thin Air at the Atwater farmers market or Fondry
Breakfast: Belles Delicatessen, Sqirl, Clark Street
Lunch: Bub and Grandma’s, sushi to go at Yama Seafood in Alhambra
Dinner and Drink: Sam’s Place in Highland Park, Houston’s in Pasadena
To do: walk around Descanso Gardens, Bob Baker Marrionette Theater, Olvera Street, hike to the Griffith Observatory

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people! My partner Scotty, baby girl Domino and family for supporting and encouraging me, for one. I have a great group of fellow photographer friends as well (JAMBE, an acronym for our names). We regularly get together and swap stories/ask questions about our industry which is endlessly helpful. My amazing clients are always an inspiration to keep at it as well.

Website: https://Jessisaac.com

Instagram: Jess_isaac

Image Credits
Interior designers:
Taylor Jacobson (purple kitchen), Beatrice Rondell (kitchen with grapes on center island)
Lafayette Studio (green dining room and yellow bedroom)