Beyond the Rope

Jessica Blair

Jessica Blair

Hometown: Warwick, RI


Age: 25


Profession: Nightlife photographer, www.NapkinNights.com


Profile: For almost three years now, Blair has been capturing ephemeral moments in nightlife history for the photo site NapkinNights.com. Able to pick her work out of a lineup, Blair uses a slower shutter speed in her work to really get a sense of the club's atmosphere. Best of all is the look on the faces of the tourists who have never had their photos taken in a nightclub before.


Why I Do What I Do: "This job is an outlet of expression for myself as well as a way to give back to my friends, acquaintances, and to the people I meet on a nightly basis." "I get satisfaction from hearing people tell me that I was the one who archived their moments. I make them feel good about themselves."


Personal Tidbit: As NapkinNights owner Tracy Lee's first employee, Blair gets first crack at the schedule which she works around her five weekly shifts as a bartender and server at Ra Sushi (Fashion Show Mall). Her first pick? "Sundays at Body English. Always." Last CD purchased: Sam's Town, by The Killers, "and I hated it!"


Latest Accomplishment: After hearing recently that the candid photos she took of a friend's wedding were preferred over those of the professional photographer hired by the couple, Blair is considering expanding someday into the realm of family portraits, weddings and event photography.


Quote: "We do it for the scars and stories, not the fame."

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