My Bristol Favourites: Jess Siggers

Jessica Siggers is a photographer specialising in richly colourful scenes, the often-missed little details in day-to-day Bristol living and vintage cars. As Porthjess, she recently became one of Instagram’s Suggested Users and she also runs the Bristol Instagrammers network, IGersBristol.

Buy her photographs from Monday via www.porthjess.com.

Here are Jess’ top-five Bristol favourites:

The Polygon

The Polygon – photo by Jess Siggers

“The Polygon in Clifton is my favourite Bristol street. I stumbled across it around seven years ago on a hazy summer afternoon after a Grain Barge session with my boyfriend (now husband) and stood there open-mouthed at its beauty for probably a good five minutes. Sadly we couldn’t afford the (approx) £1m required to purchase one of the houses so we bought a lovely alternative just up the road; luckily it’s close enough for me to be able to pass through The Polygon at least once a week and continue to gawp at its beauty.”

Cliftonwood

Cliftonwood Crescent – photo by Jess Siggers

“My neighbourhood, inspiration and haven; after a stressful day out and about, the moment I disappear under the flats at the bottom of Jacob’s Wells Road and start ascending White Hart Steps, the noise of traffic instantly drops out and my blood pressure lowers. I love our community, our proximity to the harbour, our pub The Lion and most of all, our big, bold Bristol colours. Plus we now also have the added bonus of the fantastic Salt cafe in nearby Hotwells. Go and visit Alan and Alice, have a slab of one of their amazing cakes, and say Porthjess sent you.”

Quarry Steps

Sutherland Place – photo by Jess Siggers

“I think of this area of Clifton as a bit of a hidden gem. A maze of beautiful houses, a breathtaking view from the top of Quarry Steps and part of the original quarry wall itself looming over you from the back of Upper Belgrave Road. One of my favourite walks with the camera involves starting at the top of Quarry Steps, weaving through the streets via Sutherland Place, Anglesea Place and Wellington Park, eventually ending up at Mockingbird cafe on Alma Vale Road.”

Kingsdown

Somerset Street – photo by Jess Siggers

“If I didn’t live in Cliftonwood, I’d live in Kingsdown because it’s just as beautiful. Another regular favourite walk with the camera sees me heading into Kingsdown from St Michael’s Hill, stomping the streets for a while to soak up all its glory, descending Nine Tree Hill into Montpelier for an extra colour-blast then always ending at Cafe Kino on Stokes Croft for some tea, work and people-watching (good cafes are a frequent feature in my life).”

Bristol’s vintage and classic cars

Buggin’ – photo by Jess Siggers

“I have no idea why Bristol attracts so many vintage and classic cars, but I’m very happy that it does. I’ve been crazy about old cars for as long as I can remember and collect photos of them on my walks for both my Instagram collection #PorthjessMotors and also now my professional photography work. One of my favourite Bristol events is the monthly Avenue Drivers Club. All those beautiful cars against the elegance of a Queen Square backdrop. Perfect.”

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