Jess Brohier is a creative force living in NYC. She works in image, identity, and intuition. Here, she shares how she cares for her body, works with her cycle, and stays grounded when life (or PMS) hits hard.
Name: Jess Brohier
Pronouns: She/her
Day job: Photographer + creative director
Location: New York
Describe your work in one sentence.
A melding of Australian and BIPOC cultural identity, a fascination with intangible concepts, and a distinct perspective on beauty, captured through imagery.
What led you to where you are today?
I’m blessed to be living my artist dream in NYC, working as a freelance photographer.
It’s been a 12-year journey; I’ve been coming to this city and taking photos here for that long! It’s my favourite place in the world.
Before this, I spent eight years in Australia as a commercial and fashion photographer. I started my creative agency and production studio, ALT-HOUSE, just over four years ago in Naarm.
It’s been a fun, tumultuous ride, but such is the life of a creative small business owner. I've made it work with unwavering determination, resilience, and courage. However, it’s still a work in progress, and one that keeps me hungry and on my toes.
How do you care for your body and creative energy day to day?
Now I’m in my mid-30s, my body and mind need much more upkeep than they used to. I’m super strict with my diet, rest, and workout routines because I want to feel strong and good in my body. To do my job properly and maintain the level of quality I strive for, I pretty much have to be in peak physical and mental form.
My exercise routine is two 2-hour weight sessions per week and at least one yoga class. My diet is sugar, gluten, and dairy-free, no pork, no beef, and only clear liquor. I prioritise protein and clean eating, and it’s done wonders for my energy and overall wellbeing.
It might not sound fun, but I’ve found my rhythm and still enjoy nice things while feeling great. It can be done, friends! I always schedule rest days and get plenty of downtime after shoot days. I never push myself to go out when my social battery is low. Despite being a high-functioning person, I always listen when my body says no, and that’s a hard line I live by.
How do you stay grounded during high-output creative seasons?
I have a morning routine that I really try to stick to when I can: I wake up, drink ACV and eat sea moss, make a matcha, burn some incense, put on music, and journal for about 20-30 minutes. Recently, I’ve started adding a short meditation to the mix. I do this daily unless I’m shooting and/or rushing out the door.
I also try to cook myself dinner at least three times a week, especially on Sunday evenings to reset for the week.
My yoga and gym sessions are my me-time. I put my phone on DND and won’t answer unless it’s an emergency. It helps!
Hormonally, last year my naturopath put me on vitamin B6 daily, starting exactly seven days before my period and continuing through it. I swear it dramatically reduced my PMS, from swollen, angry whale season to sometimes even being surprised when my period arrives. This was a huge shift in managing what used to be horrific symptoms. I’d scream it from the rooftops if I could; it’s been that helpful. (Shout-out to you, Lauren!)
Has your self-care evolved with cycle awareness?
Definitely. I’m cautious when I know my period is approaching. I won’t push myself too hard physically at work or during workouts.
I’m really conscious of listening to what my body needs, as I get super fatigued from about two days before my period until day three or four of bleeding. I don’t ‘push through’ anymore unless I absolutely have no other option.
How does your cycle impact creativity or image-making?
I’d say I generally have a really strong connection to my body and feel embodied most of the time. I feel every little inch of my body and notice anything happening to it, whether good or bad.
‘Period brain’ is definitely a thing for me, especially right before I bleed and during the first 2-3 days of my period. I feel like my brain is operating at 70%, and I try to move with grace, knowing I can’t multitask or perform the way I usually can. I intentionally take on less, give myself more time to get things done, and practise more patience with myself. My creativity also tends to take a dip during this time, as my energy goes toward basic functioning, especially since I’m usually dealing with a fair amount of pain and fatigue for those 5–6 days.
I feel my best in my body - clearer, more energised, and creatively switched on - during the follicular phase or around ovulation.
What’s your go-to period self-care ritual?
Usually, it’s taking a day off from working out, eating warm, comforting foods, using magnesium spray, a hot water bottle, painkillers, and allowing myself to spend a day or two in bed without feeling guilty.
What’s something you wish you’d known about your body 10 years ago?
How to train with weights, build muscle, and properly fuel my body through food - it’s taken a long time, and a lot of observation and research, to figure out what makes me feel my best.
What role do visual storytellers play in shifting period narratives?
I think creating normality and awareness around it, both for people who have periods and those who don’t, would be helpful. If half of us are bleeding and it’s still considered taboo or ‘gross,’ then something is clearly still missing in the progressive society we pride ourselves on.
I can sadly say that I still know some cis, het, ‘woke’ men who legitimately think we’re overreacting when we’re doubled over in pain and cancelling plans, and it’s honestly infuriating.
Why are periods still taboo?
Because we still live in a man's world. *Eye roll*
What’s your hope for the future of period talk?
Openness and normalisation of periods - an understanding within society that half the population experiences significant physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, often out of our control, for half the month, yet is still expected to perform as if none of it is happening.
It would be amazing if this were simply seen as a part of life in wider society, rather than something we have to hide or downplay in mixed company.
MY CYCLE
- My period in 3 words: Raging, unveiling, softening
- Period self-care toolkit: Magnesium spray, Ponstan, hot water bottle (or try our rae Heat Pad!), ginger tea
- Favourite herb for hormone balance: B6!!!! + Ginger
- What’s your ultimate period outfit: Loose and forgiving :')
- Contraception of choice: Condoms
- On day 1, you'll find me: Moving slowly, eating pain meds, crying for minimal reasons or none at all.
- “Period cocoon” food: Potato of any kind
- Period movement: Yoga
