Jake...By LeiCole
Jake's shoot begins with Vincent, in his manner, pushing the boundaries. Yet Jake assures him that the day will be strictly G-rated, and that's that. Not that she's at all difficult. She helps with shots and takes direction with an easy, accommodating manner. Perhaps this comes naturally to the third-born of four girls, with whom she was forced to share and make due, forced (or perhaps free) to fashion an identity not endowed by order of birth. And so she has. Musician. Photographer. Aspiring actress. Model. Fire fighter.
Given the name "Jakequeline" some 30 years ago, after father Jake, also a fire fighter, she’s not one to shy away from her own masculine energy, though she admits her look sometimes intimidates potential suitors. But don’t sleep on her femininity. With a beautifully disarming smile, she shares with me a photo of her "son"-- a white, fuzzy bit of dogness named "Baby Boy". She's quick to laugh, and she captures, in certain shots, an endearing softness.
Her formal musical training began in 6th grade with violin. Viola, clarinet, sax, and coronet came later. Now, nine years after graduating Indiana State this self-described go-getter plays cello, string bass, and electric bass in the all-girl band "Unlimited Disfunkshun", which she refers to often. A natural a team player. Yet for these few hours on this hot day at Mas Camp, it's all about Jake. And yes, the woman CAN hold her own.
Impressively creative explorations in self-portraiture are only one of the reasons I was impressed by the works of this young photography enthusiast. When you see XXMISA's works, you see the chronicles of a talent on the road of discovery. Her artistic approaches to composition and post processing will leave you entertained and inspired. And I find her subjects to be insightful and potentially provocative. She's doing great work now; I look forward to watching her grow. And when you see more of works here, you will see that these images are just the tip of the iceberg.
It rained at Mas Camp.
But do you get the feel we were going for when we started this shoot? I really like we got. Sometimes folks compliment my work; but I am always reminded that a good capture ALWAYS requires the hand of God.
Mark is a photographer in Trinidad & Tobago. He view his captures an artist's first sketch and says they become art when he's had his way with them in my digital lab.
Along with Beautiful Witherspoon, GAH joined in my workshop. She came a little later than most of the models and stayed a little later too. It allowed me to get a few more captures of her. I am talking to both BW and GAH about being on the portal (which has a tentative launch date that I will reveal as soon as I talk to the technical wizards of the thing). Both are interested.
I organized a workshop for a few models and photographers. A designer brought in some crochet fashions for a little color and texture but the focus was on form and figure. As the organizer, I didn't get to shoot much but I got a few good captures and Beautiful Witherspoon provided a few of my inspired images. She models in her spare time and you can find more of her images here. I hope to learn more about her and shoot her again in the future.
A Jamaican from St. Andrew, Courtney says that he's had a love of Photography for many years, because it allows him to express the artistic side of himself. You can see more of his images here. He LOVES feedback and feels criticism is the key to learning. On that notion we both agree.
He welcomes all comments, good or bad, he is open to different interpretations. I might be wrong but I see no bad here. What do you think?
Jake...
Given the name "Jakequeline" some 30 years ago, after father Jake, also a fire fighter, she’s not one to shy away from her own masculine energy, though she admits her look sometimes intimidates potential suitors. But don’t sleep on her femininity. With a beautifully disarming smile, she shares with me a photo of her "son"-- a white, fuzzy bit of dogness named "Baby Boy". She's quick to laugh, and she captures, in certain shots, an endearing softness.
