Jess Kamens Photography - Rochester, New York

Jess Kamens Photography - Rochester, New York Jess Kamens Photography - Family Portraits in Rochester, New York http://www.jessrk.com

Jess Kamens Photography - full portfolios can be viewed at http://www.jessrk.com

04/21/2026

Where wood meets artistry. Watch our framers expertly cut, join, and craft each piece with precision for a flawless custom look.

Winter vs. Spring. April 21, 2021 just one day off from today and still some of my favorite images. The battle continues...
04/20/2026

Winter vs. Spring.
April 21, 2021 just one day off from today and still some of my favorite images.
The battle continues. How beautiful.
Highland Park, Rochester, New York.

Well… this was a moment.Here is a quick cell phone image of the incredible Richard Margolis.The story…Many years ago, af...
04/14/2026

Well… this was a moment.

Here is a quick cell phone image of the incredible Richard Margolis.

The story…

Many years ago, after struggling through multiple photography courses, my colleague, Paul Bergall, welcomed me to sit with his high school photography class, where my relationship with my camera began. He taught me in THE way my brain needed to learn: a way I still teach my own students today.

Paul spoke fondly of his colleague, Richard, with whom he works closely. Paul’s influence on me spans decades—but I only discovered Richard’s last weekend.

My daughter was recently the guest artist for Heather Gray (Anderson Alley Artists) for First Friday. While she was busy with customers, I ran up to Richard’s studio, a place I quickly fell in love with.

The following weekend, my daughter and I returned to explore. She was fascinated—studying his large-format images, spotting familiar objects from his space. Richard showed her his darkroom and how his prints are created—red lights, enlarger—a world (smell) so familiar to me, after all these years.

We looked through his series of reading nooks and he shared stories about them. I was especially drawn to one image from the Jewish home here: a chair, a wall of books, and a book resting quietly on a table titled “Still Here”.

He handed me his own copy of the book to look through, which contained incredible black-and-white portraits of Holocaust survivors—a project I have long dreamed of undertaking. The creator, Brian Marcus, is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor and NYC photographer. What a story of our craft passing through generations!

I must own this book.

Maybe it’s also time to begin my own journey of creating portraits of survivors?

Upon leaving, Richard graciously signed two books for us.

Moments like this—unexpected, layered, decades in the making—reignite my love for documentary photography… the place where it all began.

Years ago, my father, with a few Ansels in his home, built a darkroom for my mother. It’s no wonder I fell in love with black-and-white work.

Thank you, Dad, Paul, Richard—to everyone who has influenced me in some way.

So… here we are. Am I venturing back to where it all started?

------------------------------------
Please take a moment to enjoy all of the artists mentioned in this story...

Richard - https://www.instagram.com/margolis_studio/
Paul - https://www.instagram.com/paulbergwall/
Brian - https://www.instagram.com/brimarcus/
Me - https://www.instagram.com/jesskamensphotography/
Heather - https://www.instagram.com/hgrayart/

Anderson Alley Artists - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063497983483
First Friday - https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=first%20friday%20rochester

So honored for my daughter to present her work at First Friday Rochester as the guest artist to the incredible Heather G...
03/27/2026

So honored for my daughter to present her work at First Friday Rochester as the guest artist to the incredible Heather Gray! () Come swing by and check out all the amazing artists!



Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XXsnjTE83LysqGEq6?g_st=iw

You’ll see a yellow door when you first turn into the alley on your right. That is the door you will want to enter. Follow signs downstairs and to the right!

So honored for my daughter to present her work at First Friday Rochester as the guest artist to the incredible Heather G...
03/27/2026

So honored for my daughter to present her work at First Friday Rochester as the guest artist to the incredible Heather Gray! () Come swing by and check out all the amazing artisst!
https://www.firstfridayrochester.org/venues/

Please vote for us and all the amazing businesses highlighted!Thank you friends, clients, students and family!So gratefu...
03/24/2026

Please vote for us and all the amazing businesses highlighted!
Thank you friends, clients, students and family!
So grateful to you.
https://f.mtr.cool/olftuwbmrp

Please vote for us under the "Best Overall Business in the City of Rochester " category!Thank you friends, clients, stud...
03/23/2026

Please vote for us under the "Best Overall Business in the City of Rochester " category!
Thank you friends, clients, students and family!
So grateful to you.
https://f.mtr.cool/equutcmspf

Ooooo! Look what arrived today! Next step ... quality control, portraits of the portraits, delivery and installation! St...
03/13/2026

Ooooo! Look what arrived today! Next step ... quality control, portraits of the portraits, delivery and installation! Stay tuned because I can't wait... 3 wall portraits and a beautiful album for an amazing family... coming right up!

Highland Park Snowdrops are simply magic. You just can't beat this time of year.
03/11/2026

Highland Park Snowdrops are simply magic.
You just can't beat this time of year.

I'm not sure a bond between Grandmother and Granddaughter has ever looked so sweet. And here she is walking down the ais...
02/17/2026

I'm not sure a bond between Grandmother and Granddaughter has ever looked so sweet. And here she is walking down the aisle... for a quick snuggle stop.

How fun to spend the holiday afternoon with Jane, her mom Mary () and our Hair and Makeup stylist, Chrissy of ! Jane is ...
01/20/2026

How fun to spend the holiday afternoon with Jane, her mom Mary () and our Hair and Makeup stylist, Chrissy of ! Jane is magical and I can't wait to share images with you!

Address

50 University Avenue
Rochester, NY
14605

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+15852018816

Website

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