ABOUT

Wurmwood Photography LTD is based in Dayton Ohio, and owned/operated by Jess Hess.
I am a highly experienced, professional, award-winning, and internationally published photographer. I specialize in conceptual portraits, portfolio work, and darker more alternative styles. I can and do work skillfully with any traditional style of portrait photography. With a background in retouching, graphic design, and special FX, I know how to produce stunning and elaborate shots that may seem unobtainable to many. What many others cannot do I can, and no idea is too challenging or scary for me. I'm always willing to go the extra mile to make a good portrait, even if that means lighting something on fire, building an elaborate set, or creating one-of-a-kind accessory pieces for our session. I work with top-of-the-line gear, models, and designers to hone my craft, and hope to add you to my list of satisfied clients.
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Awards

Professional Photographers of America -
International Photography Competition

2019 - Bronze Medalist / 4 Merits
2020 - Bronze Medalist / 2 Merits, 1 Showcase Image.

2021 - Silver Medalist / 5 Merits

2022 - Silver Medalist / 5 Merits

FSTOPPERS

Photographer of the Month:

August 2023

Photo of the Day Awards:

Feb. 28th 2019 , June 5th 2019 , Feb. 26th 2021, June 1st 2021, Feb. 10th 2022, Aug. 29th 2022, May 23rd 2023, Sep 28th 2024, Nov 7th 2024, & Dec. 19th 2024.

Other FStoppers Features:
Apr 2nd 2019, Apr 26th 2019, Jun 5th 2019, Sep 11th 2019, Apr 7th 2020, Feb 1st 2021, Mar 29th 2021, May 14th 2021, Jul 26th 2021, Sepr 6th 2021, Novr 29th 2021, Apr 3rd 2022, Jul 29th 2022, Aug 14th 2022, Sep 28th 2022, Ma 31st 2023, Feb 15th 2024

ONEEYELAND

Photographer of the Week Awards:

Jul 3rd, 2023
Jul 31st, 2023
Aug 28th, 2023

Photo of the Day Awards:

Jul 4th, 2023, Jul 8th, 2023, Jul 21st, 2023, Aug 11, 2023, Sep 2nd, 2023, & Sep 6, 2023

BEAUTIFUL BIZARRE | INPRINT PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

2022 - Finalist

Viewbug

2019 Viewbug Choice Award

2020 Viewbug Choice Award

Shoot & Share

2019 Shoot & Share Contest - Fashion Finalist

Life Framer

2022 - Life Framer Open-Call Competition - Editor's Pick Award

ProPrints
ProPrints Professional Photographer Competition: Top 100

Publications

Vampirella Comic Books - Vampirella Dejah Thoris #5 Cover (Variant E & Variant K) Released: 02/13/2019
La Petite Alternative Magazine - April 2010
Interview with Necro Girls Magazine - Issue 1 Jan. 2013
Sublime Rush Magazine - Issue 8
Interview with fiXE Magazine - April 2013
Interview with Necro Girls Magazine, Issue 1
Featured Artist - Crazy Bitch Magazine, Issue 4 March 2017
Realm Magazine, April 2017
World of Goth Magazine, April 2017
Imirage Magazine "Floral Fantasy" Issue, June 2017 + Back cover
World of Goth Magazine Back Cover - July 2017
Avant Jardin Magazine Back Cover - July 2017
Videnoir Advertisement, passed out at Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2018
Dark Parlour Magazine - October 2017
Propulsion Magazine (multiple issues)
Apartment Earth "Phobia" Gallery Showing - Charleston, WV - 2 Photos Displayed - October to November 2017
Jazzy Magazine - January 2018
Duende Magazine - March 2018
Realm Magazine June 2018
Space Babes Calendar - Self-Published
Fire & Flow Calendar
Behind The Shutter Magazine August 2018
Behind The Shutter November 2018 - Article and 10-page spread
Dark Beauty X Issue 8.18 May 2019
Dark Beauty X Issue 10.18 May 2019
Shutter Magazine July 2019 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine August 2019 - Article and 11-page spread
FEMME Rebelle Magazine September 2019 - 4 Page spread
Shutter Magazine October 2019 - Article and 11-page spread
Shutter Magazine December 2019 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine January 2020 Inspiration photos section
MMMora Magazine - November 2019 - Front & Back Cover + Spread
Dreamy Magazine Issue 105
Shutter Magazine - "Best Of" photos (x2)
Shutter Magazine February 2020 Inspiration photos section (x2)
Shutter Magazine May 2020 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine June 2020 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine July 2020 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine September 2020 - Article and 13-page spread
World of Goth Magazine - September 2020 Cover
Shutter Magazine October 2020 Inspiration photos section
Cervena Fox's 2021 Calendar - January, October, & December
Retro Lovely Magazine - January 2021 Iss. # 13
Gothic Culture Magazine - May 2021 Cover & Spread
Shutter Magazine February 2021 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine July 2021 Inspiration photos section
Gothic Girl Magazine - August 2021 Cover & Spread
Shutter Magazine August 2021 Inspiration photos section
Shutter Magazine September 2021 - Article & 13-page spread
Shutter Magazine October 2021 - Article & 16-page spread
March 1st, 2023 - Canvas Rebel Article about me & my business
March 1st, 2023 -Canvas Revel Article about uncertainty in business, featuring me.
2024 Wright State University Art Gala - Flyers/Tickets/Promotional Materials
Property of Ink Magazine - October 2024 COVER

Features, Speaking Roles, & Misc

2022 Creator Series (Sponsored by Shutter Mag, Canon, & Westcott) - Participant & Second Place Winner
2024 - Speaker at Shutterfest '24
2024 - Announced as Speaker for Shutterfest '25.
OneEyeLand: JUDGE: 2023 Mobile Photography Competition