Jess grew up in the California Bay Area and received his first camera 21 years ago from his father. After years of inspired self-study, Jess traveled to Canada to receive formal training, extensively broadening his photography repertoire. He graduated at the top of his class from the internationally renowned Focal Point Visual Arts Learning Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. After graduating, Focal Point honored him by choosing one of his photographs to advertise their new Dog Photography course.