Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Elizabeth.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Briefly! HA! Is any artist’s story brief? I became a photographer by accident as a hobby at first. A friend’s photographer cancelled at the very last minute so she called me and asked me to bring my camera. I did and then it just grew from there. I started learning more about the art of photography and finding my voice. I found that maternity photography was like therapy for me. I think I fell in love with Maternity imagery because of the emotion that I am able to produce in a shoot is completely different than the way I actually FELT when I was pregnant. I was a teenager when I became pregnant so my pregnancy was not something that was celebrated. It was extremely difficult for me to hold my head high because of the amount of guilt and shame OTHERS put on me for being pregnant at such a young age. It has affected not only me but my daughter as well. I think when someone is made to feel as if what they have done is wrong it attaches a stigma to the situation. It took me years to understand the level that guilt and shame that I felt during that time and how to overcome it. My daughter is 17 now and looking back on the very beginning of our relationship when I was pregnant I wish I would have been able to LOVE her more. I was afraid to be PROUD of being pregnant because what I had done was wrong. I was afraid of loving my changing body and happy about being pregnant because of the way that I was viewed. I NEVER want another woman to feel the way that I did during my pregnancy so I CELEBRATE them in such a way that they feel BEAUTIFUL. It is one thing to take an image of someone who “is” beautiful but to make someone FEEL that way about themselves. Feeling beautiful is hard for women in general but a pregnant women especially. I think it is what I am here for. I think it’s the way that I get to celebrate my daughter’s existence and how hard we fought to outlive the “stigma” of teenage pregnancy. I want everyone who comes to me to feel LOVED, to feel Beautiful, and to be CELEBRATED no matter what their story is. That’s my “brief” story 🙂 lol
Please tell us about your art.
My art… I am a photographer. I create images that make me feel or see something. I’m inspired by maintaining and creating relationships that empower beauty that already exists inside of someone. I like to pull it out, document it and print it so that they can see what someone else sees in them. They can hold it in their hand and celebrate that season of life. I PRINT my all of my work. I know everyone tells me it’s a “digital age” but I will NEVER go back to online galleries. I get to celebrate the reaction of a client who views their images for the first time. It is PRICELESS to witness the excitement of them viewing themselves the way I have documented them. As far as being inspired by people I am attracted to people who are collaborators not competitors. I am currently in love with Lola Melani (New York) and have been inspired by her work. She uses silk for her imagery and I adore the way it looks so I decided to try it. I fell in love with the way it moves, flows, and clings to a client’s belly. I am inspired by Meg Bitton (New York) not just her work but the person that she is. I buy a lot of her classes and have learned a ton of tips and tricks about post production from her. I think the one who ignited my love for print was Sue Bryce (Los Angeles). Her education courses have changed my entire business. I learned how to go from shooting outside on location to doing studio work in less than a year. Which is a HUGE DEAL in Texas. If you do not know how to shoot inside in the summer heat you are basically out of business until it cools off. So, you are only shooting at Golden hour and traffic is horrible around that time. How can you ask a pregnant woman to go stand in a field 34 weeks pregnant in 98 degree weather? HA! Anyway, Sue Bryce, her work is absolutely stunning, she is a phenomenal educator and she is pushing against the industry trying to change her way of life. She teaches a concept called the “reveal” wall. It is where a client comes back to view their images and purchase only what they love. It has shaped my entire business because of the power that the print has. There is nothing like someone viewing their own face in front of you. It is not only awesome for the client to be able to hold their images but for the photographer as well. We get to continue our education by learning how a client views themselves. We learn by which images are chosen, we learn by which images are left and we are able to grow in our craft. If you are a photographer and you feel burnt out I recommend PRINTING your work! PRINT IT large and frame it. Admire it and then do it for someone else.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I think as a photographer finding out what the industry standard is, educating your clients about what that price is, and charging ourselves accordingly is the largest factor in keeping our industry alive. I think it is very hard to maintain a business that is successful for anyone not just photographers. I would create for free but I wouldn’t have the time if I weren’t getting paid for it. Time is our most valuable asset. No one works for free.
As a consumer you could help us take back our industry by booking a shoot with a local photographer. Take charge of the LEGACY that you are leaving and have yourself photographed at least once a year. What a photographer creates for you will outlive you. I also recommend printing your work. If you will notice no one ever goes looking for the “cloud” when someone dies they go in search of print!!!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The best way to see my work is probably on Instagram @jadeelizabethportraiture or @jadelowebb. I don’t post everything on social media I print most of my stuff but I do try to keep up with the times. I think the best way to support me is by supporting other artists in our area. Learning about our industry and what it takes to make a living as a photographer.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8726 Backcove Court
- Website: www.jadedlight.com
- Phone: 713-730-9974
- Email: Jade@jadedlight.com
- Instagram: @jadeelizabethportraiture
- Facebook: Jade Elizabeth Portraiture
Image Credit:
Top Left: Model- Maranda Williams Top Right: Shakia Dobbs Bottom Left: Sara Sohrabian Bottom Right: Jessica Gentry
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
