Meet Jessica Montgomery | Photographer

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

Hi Jessica, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risks are an inevitable part of growth. With every risk, there is opportunity and you’re never going to find those opportunities from your comfort zone. If you take a risk, but don’t get the outcome you were hoping for, there is still the opportunity to learn from the experience. I think most people are afraid to take risks because they are afraid of failure, but failure is important too. Failure teaches you things and makes you better for next time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think the best way to describe my photography is “experimental.” I love to learn and try new techniques and flip things upside down and inside out and find new results.

I think the thing I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come and how much my work has changed over the last decade. My goal is always to “one up” myself.–I never want to become static or content with my work. Someone once told me “if you’re not growing, you’re dying.” and that’s the mindset that I approach every day with.

It definitely wasn’t easy to get to where I am today. Is anything worth doing easy, though? I think a big part of my success has been my shear stubbornness and refusal to ever give up, lol. However, the biggest factor in my success has been the people in my life that I chose to surround myself with. You have to be in the right environment with people who not only love you, but also support you and encourage you and challenge you to be better. If those people aren’t naturally in your life already, go out and find them.

I think one of the biggest lessons I have learned along the way is the importance of having fun. If you’re not having fun doing what you’re doing, you’re more likely to burn out and give up. I make it a point to find the fun in everything that I do, and sometimes the fun isn’t always easy to find so I look for ways to make it fun.

I’ve honestly never thought too much about how I want the world to view me. I’m a lot more interested in using my platform to help the world see the beauty in itself.

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.
Well, actually my best friend took me all over Syracuse when I was visiting him and showed me the best time ever and that’s why I moved here! Among the highlights were Funk ‘n Waffles, Pastabilities, Glazed and Confused, Beak and Skiff, and Sound Garden. Since moving here 6 years ago, Syracuse has grown so much–I would add Salt City Market, Three Lives, and Oh My Darling to the list of musts for food. I also highly recommend getting outside and going for a hike. Any of the parks in the surrounding areas are worth visiting.

The art scene in Syracuse has really blown up over the last 6 years as well. If you’re ever in Syracuse you should definitely come visit the Stay Fresh Gallery. We feature a new artist or group of artists every month and the opening receptions are always a good time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe so many of my thanks to my best friend & partner in crime, Tommy Lincoln. He saw potential in me when no one else did. He pushes me outside of my comfort zone constantly, forcing me to learn and grow and be a better version of me than I was yesterday. Plus, work is so much more fun when you get to work beside your best friend every day.

Website: https://stayfresh.design/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.stayfresh/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayfresh.design

Image Credits
Model: Breana DeVey
Model: Danielle Sperato
Client: ayrloom
Client: 1911 Established
Model: Grace Olon
Client: Pork and Knife
Model: Grace Olon, Makeup Artist: Marcela Tobar.