The retail years
Merchandising, styling, store launches and leadership across fashion and lifestyle retail shaped my eye for a brand’s visual world.
The person behind it all
Hi, I’m Jess.
There’s a lot to the story.
Photographer, filmmaker, mother, traveler, collector of ideas—and someone who has never been very good at having only one creative interest.
A creative life, since 2006
It started with
paying attention.
I’ve been making photographs since 2006. Before this became my full-time work, I worked in hospitality, early childhood education and retail—from customer service to visual merchandising, leadership, floor sets and new-store launches.
Those experiences taught me to notice what people need, how a space feels and how a small detail can change the whole story. Today, that perspective connects everything I make: weddings, films, brand imagery and everyday lifestyle content.
Off the clock, sort of
A homebody
with a passport.
I’m married to Corey, mom to Emme, and we share our home with two cats, Jack and Sparrow. We’re based in Boston after a chapter in Las Vegas, with family ties in the South and a soft spot for both the West Coast and New England.
Home decor, renovations, simple beauty rituals, everyday fashion, cooking, fine art and a really good trip all have a place here. I love the balance of something elevated and something comfortable.
Ireland is especially close to our hearts through Corey’s family. Italy holds our own vow-renewal memories. I’m always drawn to places with history, texture and a story already in the walls.
We’ll probably get along if…
You like a little beauty
in the everyday.
- You care how something feels as much as how it looks.
- You love art, fashion, food and a good destination detour.
- You want direction without losing your own personality.
- You appreciate thoughtful details and imperfect, real moments.
- You want a creative partner who can see the bigger picture.
Meet the Combs
Partners in life.
And in the work.
Corey and I bring photography and filmmaking together for couples who want a connected team. My editorial eye and people-first approach meet his filmmaking and technical perspective.
We work across digital photo and video, 35mm film and Super 8. Our kit includes Canon R6 and R6 II cameras for photography and Sony A7 III cameras for video. We choose the medium for the story—not the other way around.
Explore digital + Super 8How the pieces connect
The photographer
Portraits and lifestyle work grew into full-time photography, weddings, film and a connected creative team.
The creator today
Professional production experience meets the intimacy of everyday content: motherhood, travel, beauty, home and style.
A few frames from this life
Places, people
and a point of view.
Jessica and Corey portraits: Erin Marie Photos. Family image: Jess Rene Photos. Wedding imagery: The Combs Creative.
Have a story
we should tell?
Let’s talkA few things beyond the bio
The life behind
the point of view.
I’ve called a lot of places home.
Florida, Japan, New Mexico, Louisiana, Utah, Ohio, Las Vegas and now Boston are all part of my story. Moving has made me curious about people, places and how we make somewhere feel like ours.
I love an editorial moment.
Fine art, fashion, an intentional outfit and a beautiful space all feed the way I see. Fashion Week and bridal editorials are the kind of creative experiences I love dreaming about.
I’m a comfort creator.
A luxurious body oil, a room that feels good to come home to, an easy outfit, a little ritual at the end of the day. I’m drawn to content that makes life feel a little more personal and a little more comfortable.
My favorite stories have people in them.
Corey, Emme, Jack and Sparrow are a big part of mine. Family life keeps me close to the moments you cannot stage and the little details you only appreciate later.
Experience, with a through line
The résumé
behind the creative.
Performance, movement & a camera
Modeling, performance and athletics were part of my early world. Photography became a creative thread in 2006, beginning with portraits and growing with each chapter of life.
Hospitality and teaching
Working in restaurants and as a pre-K teacher taught me to read a room, connect with different personalities and help people feel at ease. That still matters every time someone steps in front of my camera.
Merchandising, leadership & store launches
My retail background includes Eddie Bauer, New Balance, J.Crew, PacSun, American Eagle, Plato’s Closet and Cotton On. Across those chapters I worked in customer-facing roles, stock, styling, visual merchandising and leadership.
Planning floor sets and helping open stores taught me to translate a brand into a physical experience. Today, that shows up in wardrobe guidance, product styling and creative direction.
Photo, film, brands & everyday stories
Full-time photography grew into weddings, filmmaking, creative production and personal-brand content. I can move between a quiet portrait, a busy event and a phone-native product story while keeping the person and purpose in focus.
How I work
Prepared.
Present.
Open to the moment.
I like a clear plan and enough breathing room for something unexpected. We align on what matters, get the practical pieces in place and then leave space for the work to feel alive.
Whether I’m helping a founder feel comfortable or watching a wedding unfold, I want the people in the story to recognize themselves in the result.
What I bring to your project
- A photographic background dating to 2006.
- Professional stills, digital video, 35mm and Super 8 options.
- A stylist’s attention to wardrobe, setting and small details.
- Personal experience in travel, motherhood, beauty, home and creative business.
- A connected creative team and a clear conversation about scope.
From the studio archive
Good work starts
with people.
Some ideas call for a small, personal production. Others need a wider creative team. My experience spans both: working closely with Corey, bringing collaborators together and shaping the team around the project.
Select the photograph for a larger view.
Explore collaborative production