When Jessica Compton visited Westwood many times as a child, she had no idea she would end up planning her future here. She told MVL, “My best friend from Junior High split her time between Chico and this beautiful little town, so naturally I did as well. I came to visit for the 4th of July Paul Bunyan Day festivities and after stopping in at Buffalo Chips to visit my friend while she worked, I met my future husband. Little did I know that 15 years later I would be a home and multiple business owner in this exact small town, raising two children of my own.”
Jessica’s husband Gene Compton is an Electrical Contractor operating his business, The Wire Wizard. He grew up in Westwood.
After earning her B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Chico, the couple moved to the mountains. In 2011 they purchased a home in town, where they are thrilled to be surrounded by beautiful places in the woods, where Jessica enjoys bringing her camera. She refers to it as art therapy. Her work is beautiful; she offers both color and black and white photography. Her photo (above) is of the Walker Lake Dam in Westwood.
When I asked her about the new location for her photography studio in Downtown Westwood, she was most excited about the location’s natural light. Also, while enjoying the history of the location, with enthusiasm for the town’s local artist’s venture, and for the future of the business district, she expressed an eagerness to work with the Mercantile and other businesses on promoting the goods and services provided locally.
Her new studio will open in Downtown Westwood, above the Old Town Mercantile during the summer. The space is known historically as the Old Prohibition Bar. It is located in the former Young’s Market building, which originally housed the Westwood Men’s Club, from the early 1900’s.
She currently spends much of her time taking portraits in natural settings around the area and is eager to offer in-studio services soon.
www.facebook.com/JMCPhotographyNorCal
