Hi, I’m Jess

Photographer, wife, mum, flat-white drinker and the person usually hiding behind the camera.

The face behind Jess Wharmby Photography, although I’m definitely much happier behind the camera than I am in front of it! And if you feel exactly the same way, we’re already going to get along.

I know how awkward it can feel having your photograph taken. The minute a camera points at me, I suddenly forget what I normally do with my hands. So when people tell me “we’re really awkward in photos” or “my child will never sit still,”I genuinely get it.

The good news is, you don’t need to know what you’re doing, and your children definitely don’t need to sit still. That’s my job.

Photography has been part of my life for many years, but before making it my full-time job I spent nine years working in childcare and nannying. After that came a couple of admin jobs and, well, I disliked the last one enough that it finally gave me the push I needed to take the plunge and turn photography into my career. So I suppose I should thank it really!

I’ve lived in Folkestone my whole life, and getting to photograph families here and across Kent genuinely feels pretty special.

Those years working with children have shaped the photographer I am today. I’m used to the shy ones, the ones who don’t want to sit still, the big personalities and the little ones who have absolutely no interest in whatever the grown-ups had planned. I don’t expect children to perform for my camera. I give them time, let them be themselves and work around them.

What’s a session with me actually like?

Relaxed, natural and with absolutely no pressure to be perfect.

I’ll gently guide you so you’re never left wondering where to stand or what to do, but I won’t force stiff poses or smiles that don’t feel like you. If your little one needs a cuddle, we have a cuddle. If they need a break, we take one. If they want to run around, I’ll probably photograph it.

And if everything feels a little chaotic? Please don’t panic. That’s family life, and quite often, somewhere amongst the chaos, the magic happens.

I want you to look back at your photographs and recognise your family in them. The real connections, expressions and little moments that make your family yours.

A few random things about me

• I’m a wife and mum of one
• We have a dog, a cat and two guinea pigs, basically a small zoo
• My coffee order is always a flat white
• I genuinely love cleaning. Yes, really.
• Concerts are my happy place and my music taste is all over the place
• I’d much rather be behind the camera than in front of it

One of my favourite parts of this job is seeing families come back year after year. I get to photograph babies who become toddlers, little ones becoming big brothers and sisters, growing families, Christmases, milestones and all the ordinary moments in between.

Because these aren’t just photographs. One day, they’ll show you exactly what this chapter of your life looked like.

Being trusted to capture that for you is something I’ll never take for granted.

Think I might be your kind of photographer? I’d love to hear about you and your family.

LET’S CAPTURE YOUR STORY