Photographer does impromptu photo shoot to lift spirits on broken down Walla Walla

BREMERTON, Wash. — The Walla Walla ferry ran aground Saturday afternoon outside Bainbridge Island on Rich Passage, stranding over 600 people for hours. During that time, people were coming up with all sorts of things to pass the time until they could board off the ship.

Britt Jezak, a photographer out of Port Orchard, was on her way to a last-minute proposal photo shoot in Seattle when the ship stopped working.

“What could happen on our ferry ride? I have tons of time,” Jezak said.

She says things were concerning at the beginning, but people quickly started to relax and talk to each other to pass the time. She said when she was people-watching, she noticed some people were incredibly dressed. She found out they were supposed to go to a Naval ball in the area, but of course, their plans changed.

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Port Orchard-based photographer does impromptu photo shoot to lift spirits on broken down Walla Walla Jezak found out some of the passengers were supposed to go to a Naval ball in the area, but of course, their plans changed. (Courtesy of Britt Jezak)

“But then there was a bunch of beautiful people dressed to the nine′s, right? Like suit and tie,” Jezak said.

She came up with the idea because she had all her gear to see if they would like their pictures taken. She had to get permission from the captain before taking photographs.

“I have the gear. I have the time. You deserve to be documented because this is a piece of art,” Jezak said.

She says that was the last place to think of a photo shoot, but she knew she had to do something to cheer people up.

“It was all so comical. It was so much fun, and it was so light-hearted, and the photos ended up looking great,” Jezak said.

In all, she says she did about nine free photoshoots on board. But, she believes the photos she took tell the story of how a bunch of strangers came together during a weird and difficult situation.

“And I feel like the situation was less than ideal, but I got to see the best of humanity, and I wouldn’t change my experience for the world,” Jezak said.

The Walla Walla remains out of commission, and it’s unclear when it will be back up and running.

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