I'm Jess. 

my mission

to give you an effortless, joyful wedding experience

When I was a bride, what I wanted more than anything was the ability to be fully present with my friends, family and husband. I wanted to check out of details and not think about anything else except enjoying myself and my people and trust that I'd be able to relive these memories, but not have to worry a bit about photos! As your wedding photographer, that is who I will be for you. My desire is for you to be immersed in the moments while I document + guide you along the way. 

TO GIVE YOU AN EFFORTLESS, JOYFUL WEDDING EXPERIENCE

I want to be the easiest yes and most trustworthy aspect of your day.

I'm a full-time business owner, big fan of hope + Jesus, & documenting this gift of a life we've been given!! 


I’m a twenty something living on the outskirts of St. Louis with my best friend and husband, Ryan. We always joke that anytime we need to make adult decisions, we just buy cheap plane tickets instead. It might be a bad habit, but I don't think we'll ever regret it! We truly love to explore this beautiful world and always have a new trip on the docket. In our everyday, you can catch us eating our way through St. Louis (yes and amen to our local restaurants), trying new recipes at home (do you sense a theme yet?!) & doing our best to love each other and our people well.

If I had to dream up the perfect Saturday morning, it would start with a cup of chemex coffee and for sure include a trip to the antique & thrift store. I love making our house a home and finding pockets of time to have slow moments in the midst of our crazy, sweet life! In my busy season, catch me at Forest Park on the weeknights and celebrating the heck out of my precious couples on the weekends!!  

The Best part of my job?
that my "clients" become dear friends.

hi friend, i can't wait to meet you!

Trends will go out of style, and it's important to me that your images never do.

QUICK FACTS

10 years of business
hundreds of weddings photographed
started my business IN HIGH SCHOOL
enneagram 3 & entj if you're into that
huge heart for prison ministry
childhood dream job was to be a chef
obsessed with sunset photos 
experiences over things *every* time

10 years of business
hundreds of wedding days photographed
started my business IN HIGH SCHOOL in 2013
enneagram 3 & entj if you're into that ;)
huge heart for prison+recovery ministry
childhood dream job was to be a chef
obsessed with sunset photos 
experiences over things *every* time

Wedding Photos courtesy of Courtney Smith Photography

a few of
my favorites

the mountains

I have nothing against the beach, but man if I had to pick - I'm a mountain girl through and through!! There's something about their majesty that gets me.

Decorating our home

FB marketplace and I are besties when it comes to home decor! I love creating cozy & welcoming spaces, making good food, & having friends/family in our home!! 

ALL THE FOOD

Making food is one of my favorite things to do, but I also love going out with my husband for an incredible meal. STL has such a great food scene - our list of favorite spots is long!! Ask me my faves sometime!! 

THE FAM!

Good grief, I love these humans!! Some of my favorite moments in life are when the fam is all together and we're cracking jokes and talking non-stop around the dinner table. 

madewell Obsessed 

I try not to get sucked into the sale emails *too often*, but if I could outfit my whole wardrobe from Madewell, I sure as heck would!! 

TRAVELING WITH MY husband

There are few things Ryan & I love more than a trip to Europe! We will save all our pennies to travel as much as possible! Our most recent favorite stops were Montenegro, Croatia & Switzerland and Malta and Greece are (fingers crossed!!) coming soon!! 

Decorating our home

FB marketplace and I are besties when it comes to home decor! I love creating cozy & welcoming spaces, making good food, & having friends/family in our home!! 

the mountains

I have nothing against the beach, but man if I had to pick - I'm a mountain girl through and through!! There's something about their majesty that gets me.

Making (& Eating!) good food

Making food is one of my favorite things to do, but I also love going out with Ryan for an incredible meal. STL has such a great food scene - our list of favorite spots is long!! PLEASE ask me my faves sometime & plan a date night after your engagement session!! 

My family

Good grief, I love these humans!! Some of my favorite moments in life are when the fam is all together and we are cracking jokes and talking non-stop around the dinner table. 

madewell obsessed

I try not to get sucked into the sale emails *too often*, but if I could outfit my whole wardrobe from Madewell, I sure as heck would!! 

There are few things Ryan & I love more than a trip to Europe! We will save all our pennies to travel as much as possible! Our most recent favorite stops were Montenegro, Croatia & Switzerland and Malta and Greece are (fingers crossed!!) coming soon!! 

Traveling with my husband

a few of my favorites

FB marketplace and I are besties when it comes to home decor! I love creating cozy & welcoming spaces, making good food, & having friends/family in our home!! 

decorating our home

a few of my favorites

I have nothing against the beach, but man if I had to pick - I'm a mountain girl through and through!! There's something about their majesty that gets me.

the mountains

a few of my favorites

Making food is one of my favorite things to do, but I also love going out with Ryan for an incredible meal. STL has such a great food scene - our list of favorite spots is long!! PLEASE ask me my faves sometime & plan a date night after your engagement session!! 

making (and eating!) good food

a few of my favorites

Good grief, I love these humans!! Some of my favorite moments in life are when the fam is all together and we are cracking jokes and talking non-stop around the dinner table. 

 my family

a few of my favorites

I try not to get sucked into the sale emails *too often*, but if I could outfit my whole wardrobe from Madewell, I sure as heck would!! 

Madewell Obsessed

a few of my favorites

Meet the BEST associate photographers (ever!) - Andrea & Adara! 

I realized the *worst* emails to write were when I had to tell the sweetest couples that I couldn't be a part of their day because I was already booked. 

AKA, these two are the best news ever!! Andrea and Adara add so much life and JOY to the JLP experience!! If I'm not available for your day but you still want to be a part of the Jessica Lauren family, Andrea and Adara are here bring that to your wedding day!! You will receive the FULL experience when you book an associate with bridal guides, direction through every step, timeline assistance, & of course the signature JLP editing style! 

Want to have the best time + document your sweetest day?

let's work together