The Jessica Lea - Jessica Lea Photography

07/22/2026

I try to put into the universe what I want for my business as often as I can. Maybe it's manifestation, maybe it's mindset, maybe it's just paying attention to opportunities—but more often than not, it works. Not always immediately, but eventually. (Universe... we still need one more Disney Cruise wedding for 2026. Thanks. 😏)

I've also been incredibly lucky, client wise. Most of my clients tend to genuinely fit my vibe. The funny thing is... my vibe can be all over the place. I literally have two photography brands because committing to just one creative lane is not my forté.

Lately, though, I've made a conscious decision to lean into being myself during sessions. (Even more so, if you can believe it) To stop overthinking every shoot and trust the experience I've spent nearly 20 years acquiring. I know what I'm doing. I have the reputation and portfolio to prove it. So why should I second guess myself?

A couple of weeks ago, I was tagged twice (by friends in very different walks of life) in a post from a gentleman looking for a photographer for birthday portraits. If you know me, you know I absolutely love birthday sessions. I photograph myself for every milestone without question, so this was already speaking my language.

We talked through the vision, and it checked another box I've been quietly putting out into the universe for a while now: more elevated portrait sessions. As I head toward my 20th year in business, I want my work to continue evolving into something even more refined and luxurious.

So here I was with a client who truly valued photography, wanted that glamorous "night on the town" aesthetic, and trusted me to bring it to life. Then... the weather had other plans.

The day of the session... the only day we could make work in July ... we were hit with a torrential downpour. Not an "it'll pass in 20mins" summer shower. It was a relentless, hour-long thunderstorm.

Nick never suggested canceling.

Instead, he and his wife met me under a bridge, tucked away from the rain, and we made some of the coolest portraits ever.

I delivered the gallery yesterday; the forecast was chaotic. The gallery? Ate. No notes.

07/03/2026

07/01/2026

I bet you're thinking it's 9:45pm and Jessica isn't gonna post today... wrong, it's just been a really busy day.

I'm kinda doing these posts by intuition, which wedding can I not stop thinking about today?

And today, that's my grooms.

My regular wedding portfolio (aka on land and usually in St Augustine) has inclusive weddings in it. But, my Cruise Wedding portfolio didnt, until these two gorgeous souls booked me for their Disney Fantasy wedding!

I remember thanking them for giving me a consult even though my portfolio didn't have any weddings that looked like theirs in it. I am SO glad they booked me, truly dream clients. Photos were a priority for them and that makes this photographer a happy girl!!

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06/29/2026

These wedding photos have never been seen!

At least not on this profile, and for years they have remained almost "hidden" away.

I get in my head a lot. Those that know me will not find that statement shocking... I also have two brands with, what I feel, are two distinct styles. I don't usually cross post any work from brand to brand.

Circa 2018 I thought it would be a great idea to move EVERYTHING over to my Jacksonville FL Surreal Portraits & Moody Bo***ir - BT brand. Weddings, family photos, all of it. Only problem with this is... BT is not a wedding or family brand! So, a lot of the sessions I did during that time never got posted here... because in my head, they need to be re-edited to match the JLP brand.

I've been wanting to re-edit this wedding for a while now, so I can post it and share it here. I have FINALLY gotten around to doing just that!

I adore this wedding, there is a lot more of a story to tell here and I will get to it for sure, but for now please enjoy the freshly edited images from this Disney Dream wedding of Mai-lis Gabino & Roberto

PS check today's story for the BT vs JLP edits and let me know which ones you like best

06/27/2026

I figure its time to show some of the softer images. A lot of these are courtesy of my associate and photography other half Heather at Geek Chic Photo We've been working together for over a decade! (Which sounds fancier than 15+ years)

While I chase light, she chases moments.

This gives my clients a unique mix of the Dramaic & the Documentary that I feel you can only get by booking me.

We've done so many Disney Cruise Weddings, and at this point things just flow. We have a rhythm with Cruise wedding once we get on board everything simply clicks into place.

Plus, we are hella funny!!

06/26/2026

First the photo, and then BTS of how we achieved it!

Weeks before the wedding Kala Hassett and I spoke about dress photos. They were important to her so I started thinking of how to work them into the timeline.

The best we could come up with was during fireworks the night before the wedding!

I get the brilliant idea that we could hang the dress infront of the Walt photo near the shops on the Dream. Only problem, we are all short and even with a chair none of us, including a cast member, could reach the edge to hang it!

Solution... we have a 6'5" groom!

Enjoy a few more dress and detail shots from this wedding... Oddly, this is another wedding that almost didn't happen... but that is FOR SURE a story for another day... maybe

06/25/2026

Who says you can't be fun and silly for your wedding photo?

I feel like my clients are comfortable enough with me to let loose and show their silly side!

Which is good, cause I'm here for all of it! I love a grand epic moment as much as I love a good belly laugh or jump shot!

06/24/2026

One of my most fun loving weddings almost didn't happen!

I don't remember the vear, but I remember the phone call. Dominiaue and Jon's wedding was coming up in a short amount of time, and they wanted to find a way to bring a photographer.

Now, I do all I can to make things happen for my clients and potential clients. Typically, if it's in my power to do it, I'I| do it! Long story short, of course we worked out all the necessary details and made it happen!!!

I couldn't image not getting to work with these two for their wedding on the Disney Dream & Castaway Cay Fun little tidbit, Dominiaue is a dancer and vears later she stopped in Jax to do some colorful powder dance images, do you wanna see those too?

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06/24/2026

Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm terrible at social media.

However, had an idea... To challenge myself! I'm going to try and post at least one photo a day for 30 days... develop a habit, or something like that. (My mom always says 28 days makes it a habit, not sure I believe that)

I also figure the best thing to post are my favorite weddings, which are usually at Disney or on Disney Cruise... and with that idea I feel like I need to start at the beginning...

In 2012

You know, some of the locations we used on the Disney Dream, no longer exist. The place where they cut their cake is now a concierge level suit (I get it, the view can't be beat!)

So, here's what I need from you. Encouragement and/or Engagement. I feel like that will make it easier for me to be on the app and actually post... 🤷🏻‍♀️

So let me ask... what would you like to see more of... wild adventures, favorite photo spots, fun stories, etc etc ... it'll help me decide what to share next!