Conversations with Jessica Lobb

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lobb

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up as the niece of a Chicago photographer, Tim Burke and he first took photos of me for the Miss Deaf Illinois 2003 competition. I was only 18 at the time and I complained about sitting still so he could finish.

After winning the title along with the Miss Congeniality title, I went to college at Rochester Institute of Technology to major in Digital Imaging and Print Technology for one year. I have dyscalculia, it’s like dyslexia for reading but it’s for math. I failed my math classes so I never could finish college. In order to stay in the 2003 Miss Deaf America competition, you have to go to college so I never competed for the crown.

At 20 years old, I decided to pursue my dreams of becoming a mother and a stay at home wife. I modeled off and on through photographer friends over the years. I eventually had my children and unfortunately, I got divorced in 2018.

In 2020, when COVID hit the United States, I was bored at home and I started playing with makeup again. I started randomly posting on a separate Facebook page and in a short time, since everyone was at home bored as well, the Facebook page started hitting record numbers. Fans and followers were asking for more pictures everyday.

My best friend Teddy Dorsette III, who is the CEO and founder of TeddyBoy Films & Entertainment, took notice and encouraged me to sign with his agency. He told me to keep posting and see where it goes. The Facebook page grew to 9,000 followers. My then fiancé, Brian Lobb, jumped at the chance to invest in me and my future. Togeher, we all worked months and years to get my foot back in the Detroit modeling industry.

I did not officially announce my return in the industry until February of 2024 with new modeling accounts. Since then, I’ve developed a network and started getting to work on obtaining updated photos. Once I felt ready, I started to look into other agencies. Eventually, I got signed by Your Entourage Agency and Productions Plus in September.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a smooth journey in getting back into modeling yet it definitely came with challenges as I am deaf.

I had to communicate with photographers, agencies and other people in the industry only through e-mails or social media. The internet can be a very powerful tool if used wisely to your benefit, especially if you are deaf like I am.

Since I was starting out basically on my own, I had to be creative and bring my best A+ game in proving that I may be deaf but I can still reach for the stars. I showed up at photoshoots and would work very hard in taking great pictures. I eventually went to interviews at agencies. I would use e-mail to let them know I’m deaf and do my best in communicating with them with no American Sign Language interpreter.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a full time working model. I do print, ads and commercials. I have been in the industry on and off for the past 22 years, starting with the Miss Deaf Illinois competition. I love clothes, jewelry and makeup. I love going to work and creating more art. I hope to be fortunate to continue with modeling and to see how far I can go.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I can be reached at [email protected] if anyone wants to collaborate or discuss opportunities. Businesses and clients considering campaigns using American Sign Language can contact me or one of my agencies.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/JessicaL0bb
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessical0bb/profilecard/?igsh=aW81bHV4cTdwYmNj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/YAJ3skRZqUvWrr9T/?mibextid=kFxxJD
• Other: http://tcc.trnty.edu/new/archive/120103/index.html