Ok you guys, time for some real talk.

A little over a year ago I started to get to know this girl, her name is Jill, and if you knew her you would know “girl” is entirely the wrong word… TBT suits her more… that is to say she is one of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Her love for people and view of the world is humbling. She pursues beauty and has a passion (and eye) for photography like no other, the way she sees absolutely everything is so inspiring. She has a knack for capturing moments of truth, beauty, and purity. This makes her images, not only beautiful but somehow enables them to tell a whole story in a single frame; it’s magic.

Her signature dance move- Smagin it. If you don’t know what it is… youtube it.

She lives and breaths FC Barcalona. Her other passions include: good coffee, great food, Ramen Noodles, obscure youtube videos (Kittens Inspired by Kittens!), The O.C. and Gossip Girl. Pillow talk with her roomy Mar and real talk with friends and loved ones alike.

Basically you guys are missing out by not knowing her and if you do know her, you damn well better cherish her. Without further a-due, here is Jill, I hope you like her as much as we (Drew, me, and another human that has met her… ever) do.

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Q.Current favorite Youtube video?

A.You know, sometimes you gotta put the team on your back! If you haven’t seen this watch it because it has so many quotables…too many. Suffice to say it has changed my vernacular (maybe not for the better).

Q. What drives you?

A. I have a strong desire to feel purpose. I am drawn to people who do
what they do for a reason, who are called to something beyond
themselves, who feel passionate about something, anything. So I think
to feel purpose – to know I am impacting peoples lives. It doesn’t
have to be big, massive, transformational, life-changing… but I think,
what are we here for, if not to make each others lives more full and
beautiful? I just want people to feel loved, known, appreciated,
beautiful. I want to feel wonder, I want to love big, I want to live
fully.

Q. Music obsession, old and new-

A. I have been listening to the new Toro Y Moi disc basically on repeat. Chvrches new album is incredible and their track ‘The Mother We Share’ is one of my current favorites. The new James Blake disc is blowing my mind. I recently started spinning Panda Bear’s ‘Person Pitch’ again. I hadn’t listened to that album in years but have had it heavy in the rotation lately.

Q. What makes you happy/gives you joy?

A. Thriving relationships, laughing, travel, growth, feeling known,
dancing, family, making photos, tasty treats, exploring, trying
something new, memories, kittens, light, beauty, freedom

Q. Why photography?

A. The brilliant photographer Dorthea Lange said, “The camera is an
instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” long
story short, making photos has changed the way I see the world – not
just figuratively, but literally too. The way I see light, the way I
notice details. I think we live in a crazy brilliant beautiful world,
and I want everyone to see that. But seriously, how much is going on
around us that we don’t even notice? There’s so much beauty just
hidden in plain sight. Learning to look for and recognize that is so
life-giving… I want it for everyone. Like Yeats said: “The world is
full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow
sharper.” I think telling our stories and documenting our lives is so
important, and for me, taking photos is the best way that I know to do
that.

Q. Drink of choice?

A. Maybe a whiskey ginger? But real talk: I’d rather have a good cup of
coffee than a cocktail any day.

Q. Current purchase you have your eye on?

A. Mostly just plane tickets, ha. Maybe a map from Best Made Co… I’ve
been drooling over those for some time now.

Q. What do you always need to have on hand?

A. iPhone 5, rosebud’s strawberry lip balm, trident splash peppermint
swirl gum. a pen if I’m on my game that day.

Q. Where do you want to travel in 2013?

A. Everywhere. Duh. I mostly just want to go places I haven’t been. Argentina sits atop the list. Cuba is high too. Not sure how I’ll pull that one off, but a girl can dream! But ah, I really do just want to go everywhere!

Q. What is your take on perfection?

A. It’s a myth I don’t believe in. I think the most important thing we
can do is just be our best selves, and never stop striving towards
that. ‘Perfection’ is a far too heavy yolk to carry, and for what? Be
you, be the best you. To me, that is what’s amazing, badass, and
freeing.

Q. Do you consider yourself a romantic or a cynic?

A. I may be extremely snarky, but I am a total romantic. Eternal optimist
for sure.

Q.What is your greatest struggle as a creative?

A. Hmm. A few. There’s a constant struggle with finding worth, and every
day I have to remind myself not to compare my work/my life with
others. One of my favorite quotes is “comparison is the thief of joy”
and I think it’s 100% true. I also struggle with how to evolve and
grow as an artist but still stay consistent. My photography is so
instinctual – I don’t think much before making photos, they just sort
of happen – not because they aren’t intentional, but because they are
a reflection of what I see. And how do you change what you see? This
is something I’ve been asking lately. I want to push myself beyond
what I’ve been creating, but I’m not quite sure how to do that.

Q. Favorite Barcelona Player?

A. Sheesh. This is like asking someone’s favorite child. I mean, Messi is
the greatest player on the planet, obviously I love him. Thiago is my
favorite up and comer, I love his style and I think he’s going to do
great things. Xavi and Iniesta, well they are just amazing. and Gerard
Piqué has a special place in my heart. OH I’M SUCH A NERD

…

Nerd? Child please!

If you want to keep up on all the amazing things Jill is up to be sure to follow her website. Her travel photos alone will make you drool (oh did I mention Maratha Stuart has featured her travel photos?!).

Thank you Jill for being the babest of babes and filling out this questionnaire so the world can further know of your badassery.

xx

*please note, all images in this post are by the amazing subject herself!