Image Credit:
Chinedu Akpom @Chinsphotos
Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamartae Jackson.
Jamartae, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been infatuated with aesthetics and understanding people, places and things. However, it took me a long time to understand how to utilize this ability effectively. I never thought that photography would serve as the missing piece of the puzzle. It has provided the perfect opportunity to combine my deep thoughts, romantic ways, and caring nature into one concise artistic medium.
Photography has served as a link to controlling my happiness and self-worth. It has also served as the ultimate form of therapy for me. Photography has helped me heal from the trauma of loss, trust my instincts, and walk-in my purpose. F.Y.I. if you are dealing with the pain of loss, or you’ve never healed from some form of trauma, go to counseling, please. Especially people of color, we need counseling to move past the hurt that can’t be ignored. Counseling helped me realize that I needed to heal. It allowed me to embark on a 52-week photography challenge to navigate my healing process to properly grieve the loss of my grandmother. When meeting with my counselor he mentioned that I should pay attention to the things that I stopped doing, because those things might serve as the source of my happiness. When I realized that I had stopped photography I decided to pick up my camera again, which has resulted in my 52-week challenge of consistency and peace through photography. I am currently in week 41, and I couldn’t be happier with the healing that has taken place. The journey has been life-changing and has made me realize that photography serves as the perfect medium to allow complete freedom. With photography, I’m able to say everything I’ve ever wanted while feeling completely at peace about the outcome. Words can lie to you, but the happiness you find in a picture, and the feelings it creates can’t.
Well enough about my relationship with photography, here is how I found it. Let me say that although I love photography, it has nothing on my beautiful, amazing, melanated wife who pushes me to be the best version of myself. So back to the story. I flirted with the idea of photography for three whole years. The infatuation began when I saw a co-worker create magic through photography during a staff photoshoot. It was at that moment that I realized that photography was an opportunity to create moments of happiness.
During the last three months of 2017, I decided to get serious about photography. I focused on making photography a reality, even if I didn’t have a camera. I started looking at the photos on my phone from years of travel, and I realized that I had captured some very special moments. After reflecting, I knew that I owed it to myself to seriously pursue the possibility of exploring this option not only as a hobby but as a potential profession. Soon, I developed a name for my business, which had been right in front of my face for years. Side note, I am a momma’s boy through and through. No disrespect to my pops, because that is my guy, and he has taught me so much. I am forever grateful for him, as he has shown me how to love my wife properly, as my parents have been married for 30 years. However, I have to give major props to my mom, because without her asking empowering, validating questions during my developmental phase I would not have a name for my business. My mom used to ask my brother and I a very simple question. “What are you?” We would reply in our high-pitched voices at the age of five and eight “A Great Black African American Man.” She willed us to believe it even if we didn’t. At the time I had no idea of the magnitude of her words, but I am forever grateful for this phrase and those moments. I have utilized my mother’s love and transformed a small piece of it into the name of my business. G.B.A.A.M. Photography will always serve as a reminder to transform the struggle into success.
Finally, I boldly started talking about my business to anyone willing to listen, and I was lucky enough to mention my business to a co-worker during a staff meeting. (She has been rumored to have the strongest prayers in Fort Worth.) Mrs. Maleta happened to have an extra camera in the office, It was so surreal, as it was a major life lesson. I realized that when you take a step towards a goal, the universe or higher power will connect the dots. Since then I have taken every opportunity to grow as a photographer. I’ve done events, weddings, portraits, graduations, and I’m looking forward to future opportunities. It’s such a beautiful process, and I appreciate it because it liberates my mind and spirit. At this point, photography has become my art, as it allows me to paint a vivid story from multiple angles without saying a word. That is the beginning of my story, and I can’t wait to see where photography takes me.
Has it been a smooth road?
The short answer is no, photography has been a challenge. It’s so hard to have a vision and want to create it, but you don’t have the resources to make the dream a reality. Sometimes my visions are extremely vivid, and my mind becomes obsessed with capturing that vision. Many times the image I’ve received can be so beautiful in my mind that I can, see, hear, and smell it. When this happens, it’s almost painful to wait to create the art I’m destined to make.
For example, I bought my first camera, because I had to constantly share the office camera where I work. It worked out though, I had fallen in love with photography and it didn’t matter what I used as long as I was able to take pics. In the beginning, when I would return the camera, I didn’t think much of it. Soon it began to feel like I was giving a piece of myself away when I would pass my cam… The office camera to a co-worker. That’s when I knew photography was more than just photography for me, and if I didn’t purchase a camera soon, I would cause myself unnecessary pain.
Photography is not cheap at all, especially as a profession. When you breakdown, lights, camera equipment, and computers for editing you can easily spend 10k to start a photography business. However, I ball on a budget and I don’t mind taking my time to get the equipment I need. A great philosopher(pops) once said; “I got more time than money.”
Tell us more about the business.
G.B.A.A.M. Photography specializes in Portrait, Event, lifestyle and is new to wedding photography. Each session is individualized to meet the needs of my clients, as we focus on telling the story of each customer. I’m most proud of my business’s consistency and ability to adapt to any and every situation while providing affordable prices. The thing that sets my business apart from others is the quality you receive for the cost. It takes more time to provide more, but it’s worth it. My business is about relationships and if I’m not available, or I’m not the best person for the job, I will let you know. Another great philosopher once said; “There is enough room at the top for us all if we choose to believe it.”
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the industry will become more accessible in general. With the advancements in technology, people can create art and can spend more time practicing. However, some may think that photography will lose its oomph. I happen to think otherwise. With all of this new technology, the skill gap will grow wider and people will see the value of a great photographer through the art they provide to the world. Of course, the art form will always remain, but it will take a different form.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 214*883*7363
- Email: gbaamphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbaam_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gbaam_photography-102445881119819
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