We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jamartae Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jamartae , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most impactful piece I’ve had to date has to be my most precious of projects. It’s something that I think will continue as it has different iterations. 52 weeks of Joy Vol 1. & 2 are by far my favorite projects as they contain the metamorphosis of my very being. You quite literally see art transform a broken heart full of grief into an ocean overflowing with peace surrounded by the love of the most high. The dopest thing about each iteration is the fact that I had the meanest form or artist block in each situation. I didn’t want to take any pictures. I would look at instruments of joy and be like, man get that camera out of my face. So the tools to utilize one of my favorite gifts sat in the corner for weeks, maybe even months missing out on opportunities to connect and create light. I can’t help but laugh at it now because the dark times helped me see the light and how it was all part of God’s plan for me to take a break the endure the grueling pace of each challenge while giving me a personal bookmark to appreciate the good times vs the bad during those seasons. Even more, in each situation, it was God’s way of revealing the idea I had of myself and the reality of who I actually was.
So let me paint the picture for you. Each challenge required me to take pictures at least once a week for 52 consecutive weeks. The first version of this experience started by accident. I had lost my grandma, and to be honest, I was a shell of myself, going through the motions. It hit a point where I was just tired of being sad and it’s effect on the people around me. So I picked up my camera and just got obsessed with improvement, it brought me so much joy. Now, I know it was God’s way of creating needed connection through purpose. I felt lighter, my light flickered and finally got bright again. Before I knew it, I had completed nine consecutive weeks of photography, it might have been more, but when I tell my grandkids I’ll tell them eigtheen. You have to sell the story.
Now the remix was a whole different animal. I thought the first version was the most pain I had ever felt, but this one was a different and much darker animal. I was going through the process of a divorce and I was literally at my lowest point. I didn’t think it could get any worse, but that’s when God showed up and extended his hand. He reminded me that I had the tools from my last experience of grief. That he, therapy, and the gift/purpose which he has instilled in me would allow me to find peace, where it seemed nonexistent. He Exhausted me to Exalt me. He took my hand to teach me the meaning of peace that surpasses understanding, that I wasn’t created in a spirit of fear or lack but of power, love, and a sound mind. Vol. 2 was the beginning of a new me that I didn’t know needed to be created. It’s sort of an ethos, and the images created reflect it. I revisited some old locations, but I challenged myself to find beauty in newness.
The conclusion of Vol. 2 was also so special as I got a chance to end it outside of the United States. I was literally in the White Desert of Egypt where he reiterated the point that there is beauty even in a drought, that peace resides in a desert if you let it, and my beauty is everywhere, so you must remain aligned with me through the process and my grace will be sufficient. To be honest, I’m still compiling all of the content from Vol. 2. However, it was there that God taught me even more lessons about trusting him. One thing I’ve learned through both experiences, is that you can’t turn off your gifting, and the gifting is one of God’s cheat codes to bring you closer to him. In the process, you’ll create art that saves lives, and your light will illuminate rooms in the darkest of circumstances.
Jamartae , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
So where do we start? First and foremost, I consider myself a co-collaborator in the art of creative narratives. In particular, I specialize in creating personal reflections of joy. When I started this journey in 2017, I was just a photographer experimenting with beauty as I would take pictures of any and everything. As I think about my ethos as a photographer I have to acknowledge my mom and pop for the photography gene, and for my dad always having a camera around.
In essence, the seed was planted before I had any idea it was a calling. Also, I have to shout out the entire staff of IIS who let me take photos of their events, students, them, and all the patience they had to allow me to grow during this process. All they knew was that I was excited about the art form, and they decided to support me however they could. Of course I over did it. Shooters shoot! They probably got tired of hearing that clicking sound from my camera honestly. The moment I told them I was a photographer, and I needed a camera they were in my corner. They actually gave me my first camera. Each and every last person found a way to support me in this journey, and for that I will always say thank you.
In a short time, I morphed into a storyteller, which has been a blessing as I appreciate the whole story of each situation, as there’s a lot of information provided in the subtle moments of each subject. This forces me to learn how the technical aspects of photography enhances my opportunity to tell an authentic story. It allows me to create the atmosphere to allow each story to come to life. One unique challenge has been the phrase that I continually hear. “I’m not that photogenic.” More times than not, this means that the client hasn’t taken photos in a comfortable environment, or there just wasn’t a connection between the photographer and that is a part of life. I’ve learned that you must create a connection or you won’t experience the joy each person has to offer. It’s kind of like dating, you don’t always connect with the person across from you, but it doesn’t mean that a spark isn’t waiting for you somewhere in the conversation.
Which gets to my next point. When the connection is right, there is a beautiful natural light that comes from within the person that translates into magnetic photos that illuminate the gifts of the subject. Now that’s the sweet spot and the most important aspect of each session for me. I need my clients to see the beauty within themselves that they didn’t even realize was there.
The coolest part about this job is that I am building relationships and becoming part of families. It’s not just a job it is a moment for us to laugh, connect, and relax. More times than not my sessions provide a sense of liberation as they focus on the intricate inner peace of the person. I honestly think this may be the thing that sets my sessions apart. I never want my photos to show my clients a false image of who they are. If it is not authentic, then I did not do my job.
I really love this art as it constantly evolves into a form of joy as it unlocks my connection to the most high. The gift constantly allows me to see people clearly and to stay patient. Currently, I am engaging in videography as well, and it has helped me understand how to orchestrate an entire project to tell a story instead of capturing moments. This challenge has been beautiful as it allows me to provide another form of connection to my clients as I creatively develop the story of a group, an individual, or a moment. Either way, the puzzle pieces continue to challenge me as I must evolve and remain open to the possibilities of each person’s story morphing outside any idea I can imagine.
Also, I have to acknowledge the last year of growth. Has been amazing. My business continues to get additional opportunities to work with new clients to create dynamic content. Its been a blessing and a half as new relationships have formed in the most unlikely of situations. In addition, I’ve been in two art Galleries, completed my second 52-week challenge, and traveled the world for three weeks in the process. Oh yeah, I also got a chance to curate an art gallery as well. With all that being said, I look forward to working with my clients/ future family & friends in the most creative and dynamic ways possible.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
To put it simply I’d have to say mental liberation and to evoke impact that inspires others to be the best version of themselves. I say this because photography has created new pathways for my brain to comprehend. The more I explore this art form, the more I learn about myself. Recently, I’ve started videography, and it has allowed me to see another opportunity for growth as it forces me to tell stories at the next level. It’s also forced me to purchase new equipment to match the visions I have in my head. It has translated into multiple areas of life and it has also made me more understanding as I am able to see complex outcomes. Most things aren’t just black and white, and videography & its complex layers allow you to explore what that means. My favorite medium is still photography, but I have to admit, that I am starting to love the videography component just as much. Either way, my overall is to explore the self so much that I create an environment where others can see themselves clearly and realize the God-given gifts that the most high infuses into our soul to serve his will.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
This overall experience is like a roller coaster of sorts as it’s tied into your emotions and development. I love how it’s so brutally honest with you. If you listen to the results from the art form, then you can realize when you’re depressed, happy, or even when you’re in a transitional period. As you begin to know yourself more you can see the signs, and it’s amazing when you hit that point because you find ways to hold yourself accountable for the space you take up. You constantly ask yourself am I growing in a way that is producing fruit, and am I utilizing the tools in front of me?
It’s cool to say that the gift that God has given me has helped me move forward in so many areas of life. He uses the tool to communicate with me and teach me lessons that he’s planted, which has germinated for me to understand at the right time. For example, as I mentioned earlier in the article, my first two 52-week challenges, which produced so many amazing images were rooted in pain that I healed from. This process has Morphed my mind, and realizing that there is so much joy in everything(if you choose to accept it) is a game changer.
Being the man that I am I have to transition this series. The next time I add to this project, it’s going to start from a place of love. Since I am in this new stage of life, where I know a love that I’ve never understood before, which is the love of God as my best friend and not just as some figure who loves me. I know that he walks me through every aspect of life and has my best interest at hand. I have to honor that gift in the ways I know how, and I just hope I do it justice. If it’s done right then the reward of my light shining to help others connect and utilize their gifts will naturally happen. I’ve started seeing that as during an art gallery that I curated, I had multiple students mention that they regained their love for art. To me that is so rewarding and makes me feel like I am moving in purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gbaamphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jjack258?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamartae.jackson?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Twitter: @gbaam4tography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gbaamphotography