Hi friend.

I’m Jesse: a native New Yorker and documentary photographer currently based between Brooklyn and San Juan. I’m an alum of the International Center of Photography’s documentary photo program and the Eddie Adams Workshop. I earned a bachelor’s degree in sociocultural anthropology and a master’s in international relations with a specialization in conflict resolution.

I spent my early career working in international development and human rights across Latin America, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. After a decade in the field, I spent several years at the Brookings Institution, where I wrote about global geopolitics and human rights.

My documentary work focuses on challenging unjust systems of power, regularly exploring themes of colonialism,  intergenerational trauma,  culture, conflict, and diasporic experiences.

My primary guiding principle is a deep sense of empathy and a rigorous dedication to creating spaces for productive dialogue and progress.

My photography and writing has been published by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall St. Journal, VICE, AXIOS, the Brookings Institution, Huffington Post, Jerusalem Post,  Hollywood Reporter,  World Bank,  Getty Images,  the ACLU, and more. 

Get in touch:

Email:  jesseilanphoto@gmail.com

Phone: +1-201-638-4555