about Vanessa
Vanessa Jetwash is a journalist and photographer based in the South of Germany.
As the founder of “house in the sand”, a music blog that has amassed multiple millions of visitors since its start back in 2012, Vanessa has built an online home for music lovers from all over the world by creating a big variety of features showcasing music in all its glory.
Growing the platform whilst studying journalism allowed her to immediately put everything she was learning to use.
With over a decade of experience under her belt in her mid-twenties, Vanessa has written thousands of music reviews and has hosted filmed interviews with artists such as Olly Murs, Jack Garratt, Dean Lewis, Tom Walker, The Vaccines and many more.
As a journalist she has written for Huffington Post Germany and Albumcheck in the past and is now freelancing for a newspaper which sees her covering local events and accompanying other journalists to photograph political events.
She started out in live music photography back in 2013 and has since captured acts such as Ed Sheeran, Hozier, Vance Joy, Tom Odell, Gabrielle Aplin and many more on stage - all for her self-founded publication house in the sand. (short: HITS)
Branching out into portrait photography, event photography and product photography has allowed Vanessa to work with artists more closely, document weddings and photograph products for multiple companies.
Her photos document live music in a colourful and intimate way, allowing the viewer to see the artists up close while capturing the atmosphere in the room.
Her posed portraits incorporate architecture and contrasts in colour while still keeping the focus on portraying the object honestly. Working collaboratively with the artists she photographs, their personality shines through naturally.
Her posed portraits incorporate architecture and contrasts in colour while still keeping the focus on portraying the object honestly. Working collaboratively with the artists she photographs, their personality shines through naturally.
Vanessa’s work on house in the sand has led to appearances on radio shows, newspaper articles, as well as features on fellow music blogs and has given her the chance to travel through Germany and the UK.
In April of 2018 she hosted her first live show with house in the sand, showcasing three artists who have been long time friends of HITS. The free concert in Berlin was well received and a great night to celebrate live music.
July of 2019 saw the release of house in the sand magazine, an 80-page print magazine written by Vanessa and designed by her co-creator Chris Stringer. Including 25 pieces accompanied by multiple photographs of hers, this project was a big moment for HITS featuring acts such as ROE, Kodaline, Hudson Taylor, Alice Merton, Rhys Lewis and many more.
Much like issue 1, issue 2 of HITS mag sold out quickly and showcases some of Vanessa’s most in-depth work to date highlighting conversations with X Ambassadors, Oh Wonder, Jamie Lawson, Dagny and many more.
With a mission of covering timeless topics and getting to know artists beyond their art, HITS mag talks about mental health, how politics influence music, sexism in the industry and a lot more.
Much like issue 1, issue 2 of HITS mag sold out quickly and showcases some of Vanessa’s most in-depth work to date highlighting conversations with X Ambassadors, Oh Wonder, Jamie Lawson, Dagny and many more.
With a mission of covering timeless topics and getting to know artists beyond their art, HITS mag talks about mental health, how politics influence music, sexism in the industry and a lot more.
Besides running house in the sand and at times coordinating 12 international contributors, Vanessa has worked as a tour manager, personal assistant, director of photography and has shot and designed EP and single artworks.
Random facts about Vanessa:
She has an intense love for the 80s TV show "The Golden Girls" and quotes the show whenever possible.
In 8th grade she discovered her love for the English language which led to her finishing school with a straight A, leaving her on top of the entire year.
Her all time favourite song is "Weathered" by Jack Garratt.
Vanessa with Kodaline, 2022
left to right: Vanessa with Jamie Lawson, 2017 | Vanessa with X Ambassadors, 2020 | Vanessa with Dean Lewis, 2019