Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessi McKee.
Jessi, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I dabbled in yearbook and the school paper and was all too happy to assume the role of photojournalist but to be honest I wasn’t anything special, point and shoot posed photos was about the jist of it. I took a digital photography class in college as an elective and that kind of spurned the passion that grew over the years. My sister and Mother got me a nice point and shoot Nikon Coolpix for Christmas one year and that was what I really started shooting with. Then one day, a birthday actually, I met a band that had a message so kind, honest and superbly executed I couldn’t help but try to capture them. Two Cow Garage changed my life. I saw them for the first time on March 24th, 2015 at The Demo in St. Louis and I was never the same. I left that show so incredibly inspired. I bought all their albums, started taking my camera to more shows, saw them every time they came to town I know this sounds kind of groupie-esque but it was like they became my muses for photography. I was quite terrible in the beginning but I just wanted to try. The band encouraged me, I started taking a camera to local shows and shooting for free and for fun and uploading the images to my Facebook. After some encouragement from bands, family and friends I created J McKee Photography. I started working for Music Record Shop in St. Louis promoting local and touring musicians performing in town. Eventually I wanted to up the ante and started working for I Went to a Show.com as a photographer and occasional reviewer. I was hired to shoot Old State at Warped Tour in 2016 and that gave me a lot more traction and experience. I traveled to Oklahoma to cover Can’t Swim for Stencil Magazine two years after starting this crazy ride on March 24th, 2017. I began to branch out into the occasional portrait and wedding services but I still live and breathe for music photography. I recently started working with Splice Magazine and a radio station in St. Louis as well and I look forward to any and all opportunities the world brings my way.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Music lit the fire of passion for photography for me, I am most exhilarated working concerts as I get to witness and capture so many different emotions. I was at a time in my life where I didn’t know what I got out of bed for and the universe brought me to a concert and that night at The Demo my eyes were really opened. There are people in this world putting their hearts on the line writing and performing music that can change the world. I create photos of people who inspire me and hopefully my work helps bring awareness to their art so other people can feel alive and relate. I hope people find music they love, relive moments of joy in their lives and support the people around them.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think finding a way to express ourselves while supporting ourselves financially is a big struggle for most artists.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work can be seen on my Website http://jessicahmckee.wixsite.com/photographers-portfo, on Facebook, Instagram and twitter under @jmckeephotos, on Iwenttoashow.com, Splice Magazine social media and website as well as on socials. Sharing my work is always helpful, tell me what photos you like, referrals are always wonderful too. Whether it is a band wanting photos, a tour photographer or a couple who needs engagement or wedding photos, I am happy to take photos of happiness anywhere I can.
Contact Info:
- Address: St. Louis, Missouri
- Website: http://jessicahmckee.wixsite.com/photographers-portfo
- Email: jmckeephotos@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmckeephotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmckeephotos
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jmckeephotos
Image Credit:
all photos were taken by Jessi McKee of J McKee Photography
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