Previous Overlook New Jersey, College or university alumna runs thriving photography company

By Kristen Hunt 
Arts & Entertainment Assistant Editor 

From electronic art major to Overlook New Jersey Usa 2016 to comprehensive-time photographer, Jessielyn Palumbo (‘14) is her own definition of a “badass” female. In a studio overlooking the drinking water of Bay Head beach, Palumbo is a just one-girl clearly show with very little but a Canon camera, a backdrop and an electric mini admirer. Utilizing her platform and job to uplift and empower women of all ages, she hopes to crack the stereotypes encompassing pageantry.

(Picture courtesy of Jessielyn Palumbo).

“Once you shoot with Jessielyn, you know how multi-gifted she is. She is not simply just the photographer, but she is also the established-supervisor, director, producer and basically the whole crew,” stated Skip New Jersey United states of america 2019, Manya Saaraswat. 

Proprietor of Jessielyn Palumbo Studio LLC. positioned in Bay Head, N.J., the alumna spends most of her time capturing a wide wide range of resourceful variations. From editorial to swimwear to portrait type pictures, Palumbo’s get the job done has been revealed in a number of magazines this sort of as Maxim, Us Weekly and Muscle mass & Physical fitness. 

Palumbo’s images occupation kick-began immediately after profitable the title of Pass up New Jersey in 2016, her initially gig being a headshot photographer for pageant contestants. 

Currently, Palumbo’s most identified clientele involves the Pass up Universe Business, Pass up The usa, Bravo’s Actual Housewives of N.J., singer MAX!, actress Emily Tosta and Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit design Haley Kalil.

Operating her way to a domestic title in the pageant field, Palumbo stated that staying Skip New Jersey herself established a area of interest group of clientele, permitting her to make experience in the style. Pageant photography is now regarded her specialty.

Photographed: Manya Saaraswat by Jessielyn Palumbo

“I 1st labored with Jessielyn when I gained Skip New Jersey United states of america. She captured my crowning as properly as my initial formal pictures as a titleholder. I was pretty new to pageantry and remaining in front of the digital camera but Jessielyn created me really feel snug and assured correct from our initially shoot,” Saaraswat claimed.

Born and elevated in Wayne, N.J. as the youngest of 3 sisters, Palumbo had a innovative spirit at any time considering the fact that she was young, and was influenced to turn into an artist by her two grandmothers.

Both equally my grandmothers were being excellent artists that taught me how to attract portraits,” she said. “As I grew older, I realized I desired to pursue a profession in art, especially drawing and portray, and I at first entered TCNJ as a great artwork main.”

It was not until finally her sophomore year at the Higher education that Palumbo fell in like with photography, and determined to swap her significant to electronic artwork with a insignificant in high-quality artwork.

Irrespective of obtaining graduated in 2014, the skilled photographer is a happy lion to this day. 

Palumbo posing in front of the Arts and Interactive Multimedia creating in her graduation outfit (image courtesy of Jessielyn Palumbo).

I liked that TCNJ is a smaller sized faculty so you’re equipped to sort closer bonds with professors and classmates,” Palumbo explained. “Professors truly served information me into my vocation, and gave me major suggestions and responses.” 

Palumbo was first launched to pageantry by her large sister, Carissa, who competed in pageants as a teenager. Just after remaining encouraged to contend for Overlook Teenager New Jersey United states of america her senior calendar year of significant school, Palumbo fell in really like with the working experience — the confidence she felt, the friendships she produced and the doors that opened for her. The artist “caught the pageant bug,” competing 4 moments for the title of Miss out on New Jersey United states of america which she ultimately received in 2016. 

In the course of her reign, Palumbo attended both of those philanthropic and pink carpet events that gave her occupation opportunities and molded her into the individual she is these days. 

“Not only had been gatherings terrific networking for my career, but I was equipped to 1st-hand support and encourage folks,” she said.

As anyone who feels strongly about female empowerment, Palumbo addresses the misconceptions about ladies in pageants, and by her images, hopes to deliver the concept that a titleholder is a lot more than just a quite encounter. 

“Pageants are a stepping stone and a gateway for a lot of gals to get forward in life. They assistance you enter your desire vocation by attaining connections, and additional notability,” said Palumbo. “They also give you scholarships, and the self confidence to be successful at general public speaking and interviews.” 

Palumbo presenting her award-winning senior pictures thesis (picture courtesy of Jessielyn Palumbo).

The photographer based mostly her senior images thesis at the Faculty on this exact thought in a series of photographs showcasing an unseen aspect of pageant winners identified as “The Doppelgänger Collection.” The job received Palumbo the Dean’s Order Award.

“I took pictures of pageant ladies in their crown, and photoshopped them interacting with by themselves with their professions to fight pageantry stereotypes,” she stated. “Some people today assume if you are in pageants you are ditsy or shallow, but they’re some of the most smart, over-all badass women of all ages. The final Overlook Usa was a law firm and Pass up America a scientist.”

With more than 12,000 Instagram followers, Palumbo not only uses social media to showcase her function but also to advertise and rejoice her clients’ corporations and careers.

Photographed: Geena Cardalena by Jessielyn Palumbo

“Jessielyn has fully brought my vision to lifetime with all internet marketing ideas I experienced. Without having her expertise, my eyesight for my brand would have never come to existence! She’s unreal!” explained former Pass up New York Teenager United states of america 2015 and operator of GC Glam Cosmetics Geena Cardalena.

In spite of owning a “hectic” thirty day period with a chaotic do the job program and planning for her marriage ceremony, Palumbo is ready to provide some interesting news about a doable forthcoming Tv exhibit highlighting strong ladies.

“There is discuss of a probable Tv set demonstrate I’ll be included in along with a several other pageant women. The premise is to display solid ladies that come about to also be pageant women, succeeding in their get the job done field & breaking pageantry stigma that’s however to be introduced,” she said.

Photographed: Geena Cardalena by Jessielyn Palumbo

With remarkable reminiscences and some once-in-a-lifetime possibilities along the way, a 29-calendar year-old Palumbo is having the earth by storm and she gives a piece of guidance to freshmen at the College.

“Trust by yourself and the system. Often as an artist, you query your self and if you’re undertaking everything correct,” she reported. “As extended as you’re getting authentically you, you cannot be completely wrong. Really do not try to mimic anyone else, be real to by yourself and be assured.”

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