Wile: (v) to lure by or as if by a magic spell
In-studio, or out in the world, Whiskey and Wiles is dedicated to giving you the very best experience in capturing your priceless memories. We believe that each client should get more than they expect from a session, and we will not stop until you are satisfied!
About JP
Hi, I’m JP Martin — founder of Whiskey and Wiles Photography, based in the heart of downtown Winchester, Kentucky.
What started as a creative spark has grown into a full-service photography and design studio, custom event venue, and community-centered storytelling space. But at its core, this business has always been about family — the one I came from, the one I’ve built, and the ones I’m honored to photograph every day.
I grew up right here in Kentucky in a small, loving family that believed in creativity, connection, and showing up for one another. My mom was a school librarian — the kind who knew every student’s name and never let a good story go untold. She was my biggest fan and always encouraged my creative side. My dad was an engineer and a natural builder. I spent hours by his side learning to solder, work with wood, fix what was broken, and think through problems like a craftsman.
Between the two of them, I learned how to love deeply, work hard, and pay attention to the details that matter most. My older sister, April, is just under three years ahead of me in age, but she’s been right by my side for as long as I can remember. She’s a natural artist, trained and degreed in music, and an accomplished violinist with a heart for teaching. She has always shared the same golden heart my parents had — kind, compassionate, and endlessly patient.
Growing up, she treated me more like a friend than just her little brother, and today, she’s still the longest friend I have. Though life and distance have made phone calls easier than visits, we remain close and continue to inspire and build each other up.
For years, I worked in engineering, managing large-scale infrastructure projects across multiple states. It was stable, challenging work — but it never felt like mine. After my mother passed away just before the pandemic, and my dad a few years later in 2024, I felt a deep shift. I knew it was time to return to something rooted in purpose — something that honored where I came from and let me give something meaningful back.
That pull brought me back to Whiskey and Wiles. None of this would have been possible without my wife, Jessica. We met in high school during a flextime lunch period and started talking back when Juno email and dial-up internet were the norm. She’s been my partner through every twist and turn — raising our boys, holding the business together through lean years, and reminding me who I am when I forget.
Our sons, Dillon and Kennon, are grown now — one a new father himself, and the other pursuing a future in law enforcement. Watching them step into their own paths inspires me daily and fuels the legacy I’m trying to build.
Whiskey and Wiles is named for the grit and heart it takes to make something lasting. It’s a place where we preserve memories, celebrate milestones, and help families tell their stories — whether through a portrait, a restored home video, a downtown event, or a quiet moment caught in just the right light. We’ve grown to include design services, media preservation, and a venue space that brings the community together. But at the center of it all is storytelling — honest, personal, and real.
This business is personal. It’s built on a foundation of love, loss, faith, and second chances — and I’m grateful every day to share it with the people of Winchester and beyond.
Whether you’re here to book a shoot, collaborate on a project, or just browse through our work, welcome. You’re part of the story now.