Originally from the East Coast, Jessica was born and raised on Long Island, N.Y, where she began studying photography in High School.  College brought her to California, and an amazing experience living and learning in Florence, Italy deepened her passion for photography.  Beginning her formal photographic education at Sacramento City College, she was inspired by the wonderful instructors there to continue her education at the world-renowned Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, earning her B.A. in Professional Photography, with a concentration in Food and Product Advertising Photography.  She has traveled extensively, but it is her passion for all things Italian - the language, the food, the wine and the country itself - which inspires her unique photographic style.  An accomplished young photographer, her talent has been recognized and applauded by some of the most influential people in the world of photography today, as evidenced by the 2014 James Beard Foundation Book Award for her cookbook "Culinary Birds: The Ultimate Poultry Cookbook".