THE GIRL WHO TOOK THE PHOTO
From shop floor to the cover of the new book by Thee Girl on the Train author
J ESSICA Davies spends most of her time working on the shop floor at an H&M store but dreams of making it big as a photographer.
And it now looks like that dream is about to become a reality after one of her photos was chosen for the front cover of The Girl on the Train author’s next novel.
Paula Hawkins’ book Into the Water will be released in May and follows the huge success of her previous novel which sold millions of copies worldwide and was top of the New York Times’ fiction bestsellers list for 13 consecutive weeks in 2015.
The British author’s thriller was also made into a Hollywood film starring Emily Blunt.
Now 23-year-old Jessica’s work will appear on the American version of Hawkins’ new book.
Jessica, who is working under the name of Jessica Robyn, said she never expected to get such a big breakb k i in h her fl fledgd ling career.
“I am really excited,” said Jessica, from Beddau, near Pontypridd.
“I can’t believe this is happening – it just feels so surreal. I never thought this would ever happen to a 23-year-old postgraduate like myself. “I’m working in H&M full time trying to break into the industry but it’s so difficult so I cried my eyes out when I found out the news just last week.”
Jessica, a former student at Bryn Celynnog in Beddau, the old Coleg Morgannwg and the University of South Wales, was signed by agency Millennium Images after being spotted at her grad show in London in 2015.
And Ad theth SouthS th WalesW l photoh t grapher said she hopes having her photo on the front of such a highly anticipated release will give her an audience which will allow her own business to take off.
Jessica said: “I want artists and creative people to believe in themselves because we don’t get much credit. We suffer and work long hours just to get noticed but once you have a style and a unique way of looking at the world it captures the world and your voice is heard.
“I am starting my own business called South Studio & Craft but there isn’t much funding or help for postgraduates. I guess we all just now work in retail or behind a desk, so I’m really excited about this new book and my photograph being on the front.”