NAKED CONVERSATIONS: MEET JESSIE MCCALL, ARTIST & PHOTOGRAPHER
A SPOTLIGHT ON PHOTOGRAPHER & ARTIST, JESSIE MCCALL.
Contributed by estCA staff, Lindsay Vacek
I met Jessie while we both were living in Australia. We became fast friends, as we both were creative types originally from California and we found ourselves living on the other side of the world, away from our families and friends, during a time when international borders were closed and many people were struggling. We spent many days exchanging ideas about love and life, and enjoyed many spontaneous adventures together where we got to play with our cameras, both above and below the water. I was instantly drawn to Jessie’s work and how passionate she was about giving people a space to feel empowered in their bodies. I knew I wanted to share her work with the Established California community
“When you’re a photographer interjecting yourself into someone’s orbit you have two options: be a fly on the wall or integrate. I choose to integrate. ”
What’s a typical day look like for you?
Not sure I really know what a typical day looks like. For me typical is anything that lasts longer than a month for me. A piece of my morning routine I can’t live without is my matcha. I have a little routine with collagen powder and matcha and oat milk. No matter where I am or what I’m doing I do my best to have slow mornings to get my bearings.
What keeps you inspired?
Working with new people and constantly trying to change at least one variable in my shoot routine. Sometimes if my go-to variable change isn’t working then I like to travel to somewhere new and shake up my surroundings.
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
Stop worrying so much about guys - they will notice you in a few years and the thrill of it will never be as great as finding acceptance and love for yourself and all your messy tendencies.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I’m pretty transparent on my socials, I feel like 95% of my life is available to be public knowledge. I’m tiny, 5’1 - that doesn’t always come through in my photos. Driving in unfamiliar places makes me nervous. I still get anxiety on flights. I was single for 8 years in my 20’s.
Favorite thing about California?
The landscape. The weather. The dry heat in the foothills in the summer. The crystal clear river where I grew up near Tahoe. California is my childhood memory, the environment that raised me. No matter how volatile the fire season gets, I keep coming back for more. Deep down CA will always be my first love. Also my parents still live there so that’s a big part of why I keep coming back for more.
What’s the most memorable moment you had while traveling?
Dancing to “Love is All” by Tallest Man on Earth on the top of Machu Picchu Mountain with my sister. It was my first time traveling abroad and I was terrified heading into that trip and it ended up being an incredibly formative adventure that would shape my 20’s
A close second is being on tour with Gregory Alan Isakov in Europe in 2018. I’m a big fan of his music so to be in these incredible venues day in and day out listening to the band soundcheck, roaming the streets of Paris or Edinburgh with the guys. Not much tops the intoxicating experience of rolling off a bus in a new city every day with a group of strangers that then become your friends.
What’s one thing you found challenging but eventually overcame?
Moving to Australia was pretty challenging at first. I really didn’t want to leave the US, my community, my family, my cats, my house - but decided to move over to Oz for the summer and to nurture my relationship. Then the pandemic happened and my 5 month plan has turned into a 15+ month plan. But there’s been a lot of trial and adjustment both in finding a happy medium in my relationship and in where we’ve chosen to live in this fine country. First, I started to build a community here, then an online business, then we moved to a climate that I love (versuss the big city hustle). Everything is starting to come together now. People told me it’d take a year but I’ve always been impatient.
Beyond that, the self discovery journey can be pretty challenging at times. I definitely haven’t overcome my demons but I am learning how to live with them and provide them space when they rear up and need attention. I’m moving from denial and shame to a place of comfort and acceptance. The more I lean in to who I am and the more I am okay with my edges, the more they naturally begin to soften.
What’s next for you?
Focusing on developing more question cards for my Naked Conversation card deck. I’m super passionate about this product I created during our last lockdown in Melbourne. I drew all the card front images (78) from photos I have taken with a few additions from some friends. My partner and I were definitely struggling to connect during our saturated time together so I selfishly went to work creating this deck of cards. Once it was complete I realized how much these cards could serve the community around me so I pulled the trigger and went for it. Building a commerce business has been SO much fun, I’m hooked now. It definitely takes a lot of work and I’m learning a lot but ultimately it’s been a really fun .
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Contributed by estCA staff, Lindsay Vacek
