We recently connected with Jik-Reuben Pringle and have shared our conversation below.

Jik-Reuben, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve been apart of a few meaningful projects that has lead to the moniker Visual Advocate. However, to the date the most meaningful project I’ve been apart of is the #PCOS1in10ja project. It was kickstarted in 2020, when a friend Dr. Kimberley Sommerville introduced me to her study on nutrition and PCOS. Being oblivious to what PCOS is, she informed me and even though we were still in the middle of a pandemic, it ignited the thought to create a campaign around PCOS. So with the help of Dr. Sommerville and a friend who also had PCOS, we launched the campaign in 2021 . To enlighten women and the broader populous on what Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS) is, how are women impacted, what are the common symptoms, how to get diagnosed and some of the common methods of reducing the symptoms of PCOS. Our first campaign consisted of 12 videos; first video being an explainer video and 11 testimonials from women living in jamaica from different walks of lives, colours and sizes. We had coverage on both Instagram, twitter and youtube, in addition to all local print, radio and tv press. Towards the end of the campaign we had billboards across various parts of Kingston, Jamaica.

In 2022, we returned for another compelling campaigned titled the #TealScarfProject, the concept was inspired by the sisterhood of the traveling pants, each participant was interviewed and photographed wearing a teal scarf, which continued the idea of community and cysterhood, sister. As having cysts on your ovaries is one of the main symptoms of PCOS. This campaign also served to focus on some of the common symptoms of PCOS such as irregular hair growth, brain fog, weight fluctuation and fertility issues. Women with PCOS come in all shapes, sizes, colours and social backgrounds. For, the record having PCOS doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be infertile as a woman. As part of the execution we also added weekly exercise lives with personal trainer Jo-Hanna Taylor of Taylor Made. She curated exercise routines for women with PCOS which incorporated modified HIIT and Yoga movements.

Both projects have created such a big impact that locally that we’ve received Direct messages and comments from women all over women on our socials stating that they also had PCOS, they didn’t know about it and got tested, thought they were alone, or that they didn’t realise certain symptoms they were having was because of PCOS. This year I’ve taken a leave of absence from the campaign but the team created ideated, planned and executed a 3rd project which was served as a follow up with 6 of the women we interviewed over the past 2 years, sharing how their lives have changed since their interview, growing their community, taking charge of their health and leaving positive words of advice for others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Jik-Reuben Pringle, the Visual Ninja is a published visual creator that specializes in personal and corporate portrait, music photography, documentaries and interviews. Jik-Reuben is intentional about using his talents to amplify the visibility and representation of black women and women of colour. Through his craft, he has brought awareness to various life-changing illnesses and challenges experienced by Jamaicans. These works gave birth to his other moniker; The Visual Advocate. Sincerity and soulfulness matter to him and is reflected in the visuals he produces. He also has 13 years of experience as a photographer, 8 years in the film industry and 7 years as an educator.

To date, his work has been featured in multiple local and international publications and exhibitions. Publications include Assouline; Jamaica Vibes, Backayard Magazine, The Jamaica Gleaner, Elle Canada, MINT Magazine, Avianca Magazine and SOLE Magazine; and exhibitions include Art Basel: Let There Be Reggae, JCDC Exhibition, The National Gallery of Jamaica: Digital Exhibition and Spreeviera Gallery: Soul Exhibition in Berlin, Germany.

Unearthing emotions and exploring different perspectives is the cornerstone of what Jik does. After-all, He is the Visual Ninja.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The key mission driving my creative journey is bring forth people’s authentic self. I pride myself at being able to photograph the essence of who people are. I have a thorough consultation session with my clients/subjects. I ask a series of questions that help determine how to photograph them. This session also allows the client/subject to build a rapport with me and feel more comfortable when the lights and camera are on them. Im guided by this mission from Pre-production to post production; I edit images from each session to enhance and bring out what I felt from either the session or the raw images.

My mission to photograph authenticity people and story guides the type of clients and people I collaborate with. If I stumble upon a client or collaboration that wants to create something that isn’t who they are, it means the project is not right for me or I try to bring out that element more in the production.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The pandemic was extremely hard on many persons financially. For the first three months there was hardly any work, I survived on my savings. To make matters worse, right before the pandemic got worse, I was closing negotiations a pretty big project, that was tanked due to the inability to produce the content due to curfews and the closing the tourist industry, which the brand depended on. This was very discouraging.

As things progressed I pivoted more into video production like a few other peers, working as a Assistant Director, Assistant Camera Man and Data Wrangler. I learned a lot during this period between 2020 and 2022. As the restrictions of the pandemic eased, my typical photography jobs returned slowly but surely. I still supplement my photographic offerings with the above video offerings. I’ve also recently joined an Artiste team as her official Road Manager and Photographer.

During the down times, maintaining a a positive mental health was imperative. So I picked up rollerblading and learning how to play the saxophone as two of the ways to ensure I didn’t stay depressed or bogged down by what was happening locally and globally.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jikreubenvisuals.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jikreuben
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jikreuben/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jikreuben
• Other: www.instagram.com/visualninjajik

Image Credits
Photo of self taken by Taii Images Photos submited of work are by myself; Jik-Reuben Pringle