Meet Jessica Perez: Photographer

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

Hi Jessica, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose a creative career because that’s kind of all I knew. If you were to ask me before the age of 13 what I wanted be when I was older, I don’t think I ever gave an answer because I didn’t know. However, for my 13th birthday all I wanted for some reason was a camera and I got one. It was this little digital point and shoot and I loved it. I ended up always capturing middle school moments with it and from that point on I never put a camera down. That moment has basically led me to where I am now at 27.

Choosing this career path lets me do what I want. I get to take photos for a living and every day is different, which is one of the big things I love about it. I went from shooting concerts in the Bay Area to now working on film sets in Los Angeles. Every day is different even if you are around the same people for a longer project.

If I am not working on a set then I am most likely shooting 35mm and polaroids for my own personal work. Taking photos is who I am, it’s what I know, and I am good at it. If I didn’t get a camera at 13 I don’t know if I would be where I am today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The proudest moment I have in my career is getting the poster shot for the movie Palm Springs, staring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, That was a surreal moment. I never had my photos displayed in such a way before. I cried happy tears when I saw my photo published in a Rolling Stone article when the film was premiered at Sundance in January 2020. Then seeing it in billboard form and everywhere on social media was something else. It was just a moment where I knew I could do this if I really wanted to. The path leading to that moment wasn’t easy and the path still isn’t but it’s worth it.

The moment I went from concerts to film sets was a strange transition internally. I fell out of love with shooting concerts and I was just done with that world. I remember visiting Los Angeles (before I lived here) in January 2016 and I went to Amoeba and I ended up buying the La La Land Soundtrack and a magazine with the new Fantastic Beasts photos on it. I sat in the car listening to the CD and in my mind I kind of took that as a sign. That this is what I am supposed to be doing, so I went after it. I moved to LA in July 2017 and have been trying my hardest to make this dream a reality. It wasn’t easy. Moving out and away from my family and also being someone who deals with depression and anxiety it was a lot for me. For the longest time I feel like I probably got in my own way with things. I wasn’t ok. Imposter Syndrome was definitely happening, which I am sure so many other artists deal with. I honestly just had to learn to trust myself and trust that the work I do is good.

I grew a lot in 2020 and I don’t think that would have happened the way it did if COVID didn’t make the world completely stop. I noticed when I got back on set my mindset changed. I felt more confident in myself as a person and as a photographer. I was able to ask questions and communicate in ways I really didn’t before. I basically felt like I was myself again and that I am meant to be here. I am here for a reason.
Nicola Dove talked about having a positive mindset with being on set because it is hectic at times. That conversation with her has helped me a lot in my career, while I also work on myself in my personal life. I love working on set. Yes I work 12+ hours, multiple days in a row sometimes but it’s always exciting and I am thankful for being able to do this. I just have to keep working to get my days to join Local 600 as a Still Photographer and I know it will happen.

Lastly, if you want to get a better sense of who I am as a person outside of my film set work then you would have to look at my 35mm work.
It shows who I am as a person as I travel and just capture what’s around me. I do make a joke where my personal work and my unit still work looks like two different people shot it. It’s just the two different sides to my photography. Shooting film is my world while shooting stills is the movies world. They’re both part of who I am and I love it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am going to pretend this is a free Covid world or at least a new normal we are soon getting to so I can take my friend out. I would show them my favorite coffee spot in Los Feliz, Maru.I love their cold brews. I would also end up showing them Skylight Book store and Tacos Tu Madre in Los Feliz and point out Los Feliz 3 and The Vista. My favorite places to watch movies at. We would end up going to a beach in Malibu and hitting up this seafood spot I love. Great clam chowder and fish tacos. Probably look up some good hiking trails in the Angeles Forest or just see what I can find on the All Trails App. Would probably just try to find a cool dive bar or see a show. Things I miss pre Covid for sure and I am hoping we are getting to a place soon where I can sit in a coffee shop or bar with random people again. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If it weren’t for my parents getting me a camera for my 13th birthday I don’t think I would be where I am now. They have always supported me when it came to what I wanted to do and I am so grateful for that. Some kids don’t get to chase their creative careers because of what parents may think is right or wrong in terms of a “real” job. So I am so grateful my parents supported me along this journey of mine.

Also when getting to Los Angeles and reaching out to other unit still photographers in the industry for advice I would have to thank: Beth Dubber, Jaap Buitendijk, and Nicola Dove. There’s plenty more as well but these were the 3 that have given me advice and taught me a lot while I still continue on in trying to get my days to join Local 600.

Website: https://www.jessicaperezphoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsscprz/