We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Nelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am a huge proponent in taking risks. How will you get anywhere if you don’t try or ask or believe in yourself enough to jump? Risk is scary. Risk is hard. But risk is so worth it. I have always been a risk taker & go getter. I tried out for cheerleading every year since 7th grade & didn’t make it until junior year. I decided I wanted to move to Nashville so I connected with a girl in the Nashville office at the company I was working for at the time and got hired to transition there within 2 weeks of deciding. I moved to Colorado with no job & family to help cushion the living situation, and here I am 4 1/2 years later, thriving and reminiscing on all the decisions that have gotten me here. I now am pursuing my own business ventures with my blog, podcast & photography/videography just hustling to get things moving & grooving.
Takes risks – you won’t regret it. Failure is part of the process. There is always a lesson in every situation. Don’t get knocked down too hard, get back up & go for it.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the best part about art is that it can be whatever you want it to be. I love to capture moments that are special, especially folks in the crowd at a concert. Being such a fan of music, I thoroughly enjoy seeing others living their best life through the beauty of live music. In terms of my writing, I love to just say what I want, in whatever way I want, to hopefully relay the feelings I had at a show or related to music. It’s not cookie cutter, it’s just me.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
OMG, this is my absolute favorite part about people visiting – getting to take them to the best spots. I am just going to list them rapid fire: Bartaco, Barcelona Wine Bar, Charlies, 54thirty rooftop, Breckenridge as a whole (especially mountain top cookie shop), Cherry Creek State Park, Union Station, Rockies games (the rooftop bar especially), Mannie & Bo’s pizza in Golden, Improper City, REI by Platte River, Williams Tavern (super divey but amazing), American Bonded, Lustre & Pearl, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Red Rocks Church, Avanti, Recess, Happy Camper, Green Russell (the dopest speakeasy).
I’ll quit while I’m ahead but clearly, I love Denver & Colorado.
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?
There are so many I can’t even count. First and foremost, I give all the glory to God. He has opened doors for me like you wouldn’t believe and been my champion on this entire journey. I also have to shoutout my favorite band, Timeflies, as I loved them so much I lived the fangirl life which has given me experiences & connections to people that helped me form my publication, Post Concert Depression. Along with that, I started a podcast associated with it with one of my best friends, Megan Duffy, who I met through Timeflies. In terms of my photography business, two people I met along the way of Timeflies both now work for Porter Robinson (Hi Mike O’Brien & Robert Dugan) who took a chance on me last November and got me in to shoot his show, which started my major pursuit into concert photography. I am so so so grateful to the people in my life & the connections I’ve made along the way.
Website: jessnelsonmedia.com / postconcertdepression.com
Instagram: @jessnelsonmedia / @_postconcertdepression / @postconcertdepressionpodcast
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-nelson-6a2730137/
Twitter: @_postconcertdep
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/postconcertdepression1 / https://www.facebook.com/thePCDpod
Image Credits
Jess Nelson Media (me!)