JMR Visuals

Name: JMR Visuals
Address: Whitesboro, NY, US
Telephone: +13153169430

Jessica Rotkiewicz (JMR Visuals) is a dedicated photographer and visual storyteller who blends stills, audio, and video to create compelling narratives.

With expertise in editorial, commercial, and lifestyle work, Jessica captures moments that matter

06/11/2026

Connect Series | Conversations in Focus featuring Shondel Beverly

Some connections start with a question. This one started with a watch.

I met Shondel Beverly at a Success Circle CommunitySuccess Circle Coffee Connection, one of those mornings where the room is buzzing and you never quite know who you're going to end up talking to. She spotted my Tim Hayden watch almost immediately and just like that, we were off. His message of became the thread that tied our whole conversation together.

From that first meeting, I knew I wanted to sit down with her properly. So when the chance came to try Crust Kitchen & Bar UticaCrust's new Utica location, somewhere I'd been so excited to visit, it felt like the perfect excuse for lunch and a real conversation.

If you've spent any time around Utica, you may already know Shondel. Not necessarily by name, but by description: the girl with the purple hair. It's her signature, her calling card, the thing people remember. And there's a story behind it that stopped me mid-bite.

Eight years ago, Shondel almost talked herself out of walking into a job interview because of that hair. She wasn't sure she'd be taken seriously. She almost didn't go. She went anyway and she got the job. On her first day, she showed up without the purple. Her boss took one look at her and said, "What happened to the purple hair?"

Let that sink in.

The very thing she thought might hold her back turned out to be exactly what made her memorable. Her boss saw her. And Shondel never looked back.

Today, she's the Visitor Services Manager at Visit Oneida County, NY Oneida County Tourism, the welcoming face of the Mohawk Valley, helping people fall in love with this region the same way she has. And what she loves most about the tourism industry? The doors it opens. It naturally connects her with local organizations, businesses, and community partners across the region, creating collaborations that make the whole Mohawk Valley stronger. For someone who lights up talking about people and places, it's the perfect fit.

And speaking of the region, I mentioned I've been wanting to try biking the rail paths and true to form, Shondel didn't miss a beat. She pointed me straight to the Adirondack Railroad's Rail Bikes. I grew up in Old Forge and this is one of those newer experiences that has been on my radar. That changes this summer. Consider it officially added to the bucket list. That's the magic of sitting across from someone like Shondel. She knows this region inside and out and she can't help but share it. You don't leave a conversation with her without a new place to explore or something to look forward to.

Sitting across from her at Crust, I kept thinking about how often we shrink ourselves before anyone even asks us to. How many of us have almost not walked through a door because we were afraid of what was on the other side?

Shondel walked through. Purple hair and all.

And this region is better for it.

Ironically, when we sat down for lunch at Crust, the purple hair wasn't there. I noticed right away and of course I had to ask. Don't worry though, she assures me it will be back soon. Some things are just too good to stay away for long.

06/10/2026

New York Knicks fever seen on the streets today.

06/09/2026

“Switch ‘I can’t’ to ‘I’m choosing to.’”

Simple. Powerful. Very

So grateful I got to be in the room for her NYHIMA keynote, and even more grateful she trusted me to capture it. Being there was genuinely one of those days that reminds me why I do what I do. You could feel the energy shift in that room. People left inspired, and that’s all Kristy.

06/04/2026

Connect Series with Carrie Byrne Putelo and Gina Trzepacz Timpano

The best connections happen when someone just knows two people need to meet. That someone was Gina Trzepacz Timpano, owner of Yorkville Memorial and president of the Mohawk Valley Business Women’s Network, and she was absolutely right.

Gina connected me with Carrie, the owner and publisher of Mohawk Valley Living Magazine, knowing that our shared NYC background would give us plenty to talk about. That is exactly the kind of connector Gina is and exactly what the MVBWN Mohawk Valley Business Women's Network is all about. The Mohawk Valley Business Women’s Network is committed to empowering female entrepreneurs and women in business by supporting them through all phases of their business and personal development. If you are not already part of this community, you should be!

I have been a fan of Mohawk Valley Living since moving back to the area. It’s honestly not something you expect to find here and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Carrie has brought a whole new level of polish and vision to this publication and she only took over last year!

What makes her story even more compelling is that journalism is literally in her blood. Her father worked alongside Walter Cronkite, and that foundation shaped everything about the way she approaches storytelling and publishing. You can feel that legacy in every page of the magazine.

The Mohawk Valley was always part of Carrie’s story. She spent summers here with her dad and family, and when he passed away eight years ago, she chose to plant roots here so her children could stay close to family. I came back for similar reasons. Sometimes home has a way of calling you back.

If you haven’t picked up a copy of Mohawk Valley Living, go find one. And give Carrie a follow Mohawk Valley Living

06/02/2026

Some shoots hit different. 🎓

When my niece, salutatorian of her graduating class, asked me to photograph her senior portraits and graduation, I didn’t just say yes. I felt it.

Being trusted to document a milestone this big, for someone I love, is one of the greatest honors of this work.

Back in 2017, I helped her earn her photography Girl Scout badge in -10° weather, because dedication doesn’t wait for better conditions. 📷❄️

That same kid who stood in -10° (wind chill was probably-20 or more) weather for a photography badge just walked across that stage as salutatorian. I mean… of course she did. She was determined at 8 years old in the freezing cold. Turns out that’s just who she is.

This is why I do what I do. Not just to take beautiful photos, but to be there for the moments that matter most.

I love you, Sophia. Congratulations. I can’t wait to see where you go in this world. 🤍

05/29/2026

✨ Connect Series | Vanessa Lynn Colangelo .co

One of my favorite parts of my Connect Series is sitting down with inspiring people right in our own community or sometimes literally right in my neighborhood.

Recently, I had lunch with my neighbor, fellow neighborhood board member, and my Success Circle Community Success Circle Accelerator cheerleader, Vanessa Colangelo at .lafa Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s and loved learning more about the heart behind her business.

Also, fun side fact she’s always showing up to our Success Circle in-person meetings with food from Lafa, so she had me craving it too. 😂 I love Lafa and Zeina’s.

Through Life Well Branded, Co., Vanessa helps entrepreneurs create brands that truly reflect who they are from logos and digital presence to full brand strategy. With 18 years of branding and design experience, she has such a thoughtful understanding of how color, typography, texture, and design choices all work together to tell a brand’s story and create a real connection with the right audience.

What stood out most was how passionate she is about helping people feel aligned and confident in how they show up in their business, while also educating and empowering them throughout the process.

It’s always inspiring connecting with people who genuinely care about helping others grow.

Also, another fun fact, Vanessa is a Certified Personal Trainer and coaches classes at 1-up wellness. She can help build your brand identity and help get your body in shape too!

05/25/2026

Old habits die hard. 📷

I showed up to the Whitesboro Memorial Day Parade as a mom, my son marching proudly with his Boy Scout pack and I couldn’t resist the photojournalist in my soul. It felt so freeing to do what I do best: document and capture the stories happening right here in my community.

To all who served and sacrificed, thank you. Never forget the ultimate sacrifice that was paid for our freedoms, today and always. 🎖️🇺🇸

Also, Pierce’s cousin recently join his pack, I’m excited for this because he needs family closer to his age around!

05/21/2026

Connect Series | .pilar Pilar Lombana – ACANEA Community Alliance

Some of the best connections happen when you least expect them.

I met Pilar last fall at the MVCC ThINCubator. When she mentioned she ran a nonprofit, something in me lit up.

I hold a Master’s in Photography from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communications. I’ve taught photography and video storytelling at the graduate and undergraduate level as an adjunct at Stony Brook, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, and right here at MVCC. One of the most meaningful experiences of my Pablove Foundation as a Teaching Artist with Pablove Shutterbugs, giving children living with cancer a creative voice through photography. Years ago I had planned to start a nonprofit around teaching young people. Then my husband passed away, and that dream got set aside.

But it never really left me.

So I pitched it to Pilar right there on the spot. She listened, really listened.

Pilar Lombana is the founder and Executive Director of ACANEA Community Alliance, an organization built around the belief that people deserve spaces to grow, reconnect, and step into their fullest potential. Through mindfulness, holistic coaching, and community-centered work, she is doing something truly special in the Mohawk Valley.

After a few more conversations, we didn’t just stay connected. We built something together.

This summer I’ll be leading the ACANEA Youth Media Lab in partnership with Pilar and ACANEA. Young people in Utica will learn photography, videography, and storytelling and then take those skills into the real world at the Utica Walkathon, July 11 through 19, 2026 at F.T. Proctor Park.

This is the kind of program that changes trajectories. And it needs community support.

📣 Interested in sponsoring? Reach out to Pilar Lombana at ACANEA Community Alliance.
📍 F.T. Proctor Park, Utica, NY | 📅 July 11 through 19, 2026

Pilar, I’m so grateful our paths crossed.

05/15/2026

I recently had the chance to sit down with Leigh Ann Dillon and I’m so glad I did. Leigh Ann is the founder and website designer behind Hilltop Websites, a web design agency right here in upstate New York. She started her business about 10 years ago and is closing in on 100 websites built.

She’s passionate about WordPress and what really sets her apart is that she doesn’t just care about how a site looks, she cares about how it works. Streamlining forms and making things easier for her clients is kind of her thing. Very authentic, very trustworthy.

Now here’s the part where I got personally excited. I found out she skis. As someone who has been on skis basically since I could walk, this information made my heart happy. Leigh Ann, consider this your official invitation. We’re hitting the slopes next winter. You’ve been warned. As for the rest of you, I have been taking mental notes on all my skiers and we will have a networking ski day next season!

If you’re a small business or nonprofit in the Mohawk Valley looking for a website that actually works FOR you, go check her out.

05/07/2026

A friend forwarded me an email today and casually said, “We both made the marketing images for Adobe!” 😂🇬🇧

So apparently I made it into an ad for the networking party happening May 13 at Post Production World Europe during MPTS London… before I even decided if I’m going. Honestly, this feels less like marketing and more like manifestation at this point.

Maybe this is my sign to finally head across the pond for two days of post-production, live demos, creative workflows, and networking with insanely talented people from all over Europe.

May 13–14 in London… do I book the flight? ✈️🎬

And more importantly… who’s coming with me?

Address

Whitesboro, NY

Telephone

+13153169430

Website

http://www.jmrvisuals.com/

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