Because she's usually behind the lens, you may not recognize Jessica Snow at first glance - but you’ve definitely seen her work. Jess is the one capturing the moments you’ll treasure for a lifetime...she captures the images that will hang on your wall for decades to come. What started out as her hobby, has turned into a full time photography business, and her story is as inspiring as the photos she takes.
A little over a decade ago, Jessica started her photography business right from the front porch of her home. Fast forward a decade, and she’s photographed over 2,000 local families, not to mention created countless beautiful memories for new parents, couples, entrepreneurs, and just about anyone who has reached out to her to document their life’s most treasured moments. From a small home studio to a newly designed space downtown, she’s just getting started.
If you had asked Jessica in high school what she wanted to do, she would have told you that she planned on being a hairstylist, and that's just what she started out doing. She may have tossed “photographer” out there – but not in the formal, “I’m starting a business” way. More like “I’m always the one with the camera, and everyone looks to me to capture the moment.” Whether it was a school event, a hangout with friends, or just a family gathering, jess was there with her camera, and she loved it. Little did she know, those Stoney Creek high school days of snapping candid shots would eventually lead to her becoming the one of the most well-known photographers in Rochester.
It was 2019 when Jess decided to leave her job as a hairstylist to turn her passion into a full-time business. With her camera in hand, she officially launched Jessica Marnae Photography, which later evolved to Jessica Snow photography after getting married to her husband, Jacob. She started off focusing on newborns and families, a perfect fit since she was living in that world as a young wife and mother herself. She knew first hand what type of feelings parents were trying to capture, she understood the sweetness of holding that new baby and photographing those moments that would be treasured for a lifetime. The front porch of her house became her first “studio,” and it didn’t take long before the demand grew. Her clients loved her style – natural, real, and heartfelt.
As any photographer (or entrepreneur) knows, in order to grow, you've got to evolve. Jessica realized her front porch studio wasn’t going to cut it for much longer. So, with the help of her husband, they built a studio space above their garage, allowing for Jessica to photograph more families all while staying close to her own home and family.
Jessica didn’t stop there. Several years later, she decided it was time to step it up again and rented space off of Third street in Rochester. Then, the Universe had an even better plan, and she ended up in Studio Em + Lu, a shared creative space with her best friend, Courtney Massa. Fun fact: Jessica and Courtney met years ago when they were both hairstylists, so when the opportunity came to team up, it felt like the perfect fit for them. Now, they share a space that’s not just a photography studio – it's also a hair and colorist studio for Courtney, and lends itself to studio sessions, and workshops that bring other entrepreneurs to collaborate and inspire each other. And honestly, it’s got all the good vibes.
While Jess's studio is gorgeous, her heart lies in the great outdoors. Her favorite shoots? They’re usually outside, capturing families just being themselves in natural settings. There’s something about a sunset in the woods, and a relaxed, candid moment in a beautiful outdoor backdrop that really speaks to Jessica’s style. Whether it’s a greenhouse with dirt floors (she's always on the lookout for the perfect one) or one of the incredible outdoor spaces that the Rochester area has to offer, she’s all about those raw, authentic moments, and nature provides the perfect backdrop for that.
As any business owner knows – running a business isn’t easy, especially when you’re a one-woman show. For years, Jess has scheduled the sessions, planned the shoots, styled the sets, took the photos, and edited everything herself. It's a lot to manage, but it's everything she loves. It's taken her awhile to find the balance that works best for her, and she knows the importance of taking long weekend trips Upnorth with her family to recharge. Her advice for any budding entrepreneur? “Don’t overwork yourself. Set boundaries, know your worth, and don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
While Jessica still loves capturing family moments, her focus has started to shift a little. As her own daughter gets older, Jessica finds herself drawn to other types of photography – like senior sessions, commercial style shoots, and event photography. But her most favorite shift? Food + brand photography. Helping small businesses – especially women-owned businesses – tell their story through images has become a huge part of what Jessica loves to do.
“I really enjoy helping other entrepreneurs elevate their brand,” Jessica says. “It’s been so rewarding to see small businesses grow through sharing photography.”
Being able to connect with other local business owners has been one of the highlights as of late. There’s a sense of community in Rochester that Jessica really appreciates, and she’s all about supporting and collaborating with fellow creatives.
Jessica isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon. In fact, she’s already dreamit up a future that includes an industrial-style space where photography can stay at the forefront, but also serve as a creative hub for other entrepreneurs. Imagine a space where artists, photographers, and all kinds of creatives can come together, share ideas, and collaborate. Sounds pretty amazing, right?
Everyone has their own ritual to get in the right headspace, for a job, and Jessica’s is all about the music. Her go-to? “3 AM” by Matchbox Twenty, with the windows down in her Jeep. For her, that song, or really any other 90's jam is her favorite way to get in to the zone for a shoot.
From humble beginnings on her front porch to a thriving photography business in downtown Rochester, Jessica Snow has built something pretty special. She’s captured thousands of families, helped small businesses grow, and has remained committed to the things that matter most: authenticity, creativity, and community.
Whether you’re looking for stunning family photos, a brand photoshoot that will take your business to the next level, or just someone to capture the real moments in life, Jessica Snow is the photographer you want behind the lens.
We are so lucky to have her as our resident photographer for this journey we call Rochester City Lifestyle. If you've been a part of one of our features or editorials, you've had the pleasure of getting to work with Jess. She has brought the pages of this publication to life over the past year, and we know we couldn't have done it without her.
Studio Em + Lu is located at 205 C South Main Street in Downtown Rochester, and is available by appointment only. Learn more by visiting https://studioemandlu.com or https://jessica-snow.com.