Monday, February 23, 2015

The Making of The Wedding Expo

Yesterday was the 2015 Jamaica Bridal Expo. I was invited to photograph the event from the setting up, to the actual event the following day. Here are some of the images I captured of the setting up. Stay tuned to see more images of the event.

It was super cool to see the venue start as absolutely nothing and transform into an awesome showcase of wedding vendors. From open space, trees, and bush to a magical, awesome, beautiful display of lights, people, and all things wedding!





Workmen working hard painting and preparing one of the display booths.






A major sponsor of the event, Smirnoff.










Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Wanderlust

Recently I had the opportunity to visit and shoot in Costa Rica. Seriously,  what an absolutely beautiful and majestic country! I can't wait to write about my experiences there. Post coming soon! 
Jenaae

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

12 Wedding 'Rules' Every Bride Should Feel Free to Break

Written by Maressa Brown on CafeMom's blog, The Stir. Via huffingtonpost.com
One year ago today, my fiance and I got engaged, and I remember that for a few hours after, we didn't tell anyone. We wanted to enjoy the glow on our own. In retrospect, I actually wish I'd taken even more time to keep the news to ourselves. Because it seems like as soon as one person knows, the advice (solicited or not) starts rollin' in -- from wedding magazines to websites, vendors to friends, and, of course, well-meaning family. Then, you start feeling like you have to learn the "rules" of the wedding planning road you're inevitably going to be navigating. Like the "proper" way to do this or the "right" way to do that.
Photo: Docuvitae / The Knot
But let's face it -- some wedding rules were made to be broken. Because they're annoying, pedantic, antiquated, or just don't fit you and the person you're about to marry, etc. Here, 12 wedding rules a bride should feel free to break or make her own ...
1) Using "formal" wording on the invitations. This is one I was grappling with recently. Who says the invite being sent to your best friend Sally -- who just happened to marry Joe Smith -- has to be addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Joe Smith"? As a good friend told me, there are no etiquette police at the post office! Trying to follow proper etiquette is one thing, but feeling like you have to address your closest friends in an impersonal, outdated way is another.
2) Wearing a veil. Hey, it's not for everyone.
3) Wearing a blusher. It's really not for everyone. I'm still not sure what to do ... (But because the unveiling can be an especially emotional part of a Jewish ceremony, I think I'm gonna go for it.)
4) Having an equal bridesmaids to groomsmen ratio. No one's really going to notice or care if you have a gaggle of besties, and your guy only has his three bros. And a good photog can arrange the bridal party so your pics look awesome.
5) Putting the carriage before the marriage. It's not just celebs like Kim Kardashian, Kristin Cavallari, or Jessica Simpson doing it these days. Sometimes it just happens that you get pregnant before becoming a bride -- or you find yourself a pregnant bride!
6) Sleeping apart the night before. In this day and age of most couples living together for years before they say "I do," no one says you have to spend your last night as a Miss without your Mister. If you're more comfortable being together, consider what my friend said she and her hubby did: "We slept together the night before our wedding, woke up, and said, 'Let's do this!'"
7) Having "photogenic," designer shoes. Some brides totally freak out over having the right Louboutins, because someone's going to see them -- even if it's just the photographer! But every bride's priority should be comfort -- whether they're walking down the aisle in Jimmy Choos, Toms, or flip-flops!
8) Wearing a white dress. Who say it has to be white? Or long? Or anything other than what you want to wear on your wedding day ...
9) Writing separate vows or writing your own vows at all. You may want to write them together or stick to the traditional and/or religious ones.
10) Skipping the "cheesy" traditions. Some brides get hung up on being unique and different that they actually pass on doing some of the things they would have liked to do. Do what you want!
11) Going on the honeymoon right away. Sometimes, airfare is cheaper a week or 10 days after your wedding. Sometimes, you have to do a mini-moon instead. Or wait a year for your big trip.
12) Having what most would consider a traditional wedding at all. If eloping or pulling a Zuckerberg or going to town hall is more your thing, do it!
What wedding rule did you break or do you feel was meant to be broken?

Thursday, October 2, 2014

The other day I packed up my gear bag and headed into the centre of Ochi Rios. My goal was to capture the pure spirit of some Jamaican people in their daily lives.  Despite their daily hustle and grind, these people were happy to be photographed by me, and to share their pure, joyous spirits.



To see more images see gallery titled "Jamaica" here ->  jenaaejackson.smugmug.com


Thursday, August 8, 2013

Miss Jamaica World 2013 Coronation Show

 photo dance_zps7b0a274f.jpg Confession: I completely forgot ½ the moves of the opening number on stage. This is where peripheral vision comes in handy. Just follow along, and never loose that
 “I know exactly what I’m doing” smile.
 photo 1085141_574450485940065_16k6668748_o_zpsb57820aa.jpg Catch the camera man totally checking me out. ^^^ (lol) He's actually a friend of mine. photo 977561_574450475940066_254053736_o_zps7b5f2997.jpg 
 “In the event of a slippery stage, sandpaper the bottom of your shoes.” Who came up with this nonsense? A well known pageant "secret" that totally does not work, and neither does duck tape! Rubber soles and a comfortable heel however = comfortable, confident walk.  photo 
1073983_574450525940061_909897801_o_zps0c736f0c.jpg
 photo 1084977_574456012606179_1151721635_o_zpsc62906b2.jpg Negativity. People will always have something to say to try and throw you off your game. Be confident in yourself and your decisions, and be fabulous!
Image and video hosting by TinyPic  photo 1073191_574461165938997_40233392_o_zpsfce4062c.jpg With all the chaos going on backstage of a live television show production, expect (and plan for) the unexpected. From shoes straps failing, earrings breaking, to major dress malfunctions. Always have a plan B, C, & D. In fact, my evening gown.. was a plan B
 photo 1077171_574472179271229_2021991871_o_zps21167a5f.jpg
Why I decided to where short hair? Well, why not! Approaching coronation night, many people had much to say about me wearing my naturally short hair to compete in a beauty pageant. Mostly positive, but some not so much. “You need pageant hair, you need glamorous hair” they said. I personally don’t believe glamorous or beautiful hair means long, flowing, big barrel curled weave; although big barrel curled weave is very pretty ☺. My natural hair is fabulous honey! When people have something to say about your hair, your body, the clothes you wear, whatever, listen.. take their advice for what its worth, but at the end of the day, do what you feel is best for YOU. Be certain and beautiful with all that you are, and work it!
 photo 1079112_574466629271784_743575798_o_zpsc1523447.jpg 
 In regards to a certain Mr. Minister and his comments regarding my #economybody, and my *clears throat* #BESTFIGURE.. 
see link--> http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=46665
I've accepted your apology and still wish you all the best ☺. photo 981636_574467849271662_1357636585_o_zps983d2ba3.jpg  photo 1072147_574474862604294_496947409_o_zps49cabc90.jpg  photo last2_zpsa9d00985.jpg Overall, Gina Hargitay is a phenomenal Miss Jamaica World. I'm so happy for her! She’s wickedly intelligent, and stunningly beautiful inside and out. The girl is quite incredible. I wish her much success at the upcoming Miss World and hopes she brings home the crown!!
___________________
Photo Credit: STUSH Jamaica

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?" -Marianne Williamson

One of my favorite quotes ever, and I believe many people can relate. Personally, more than I am afraid of total failure, I'm terrified of succeeding beyond my wildest dreams.There's a little part of me that feels that I just might not be good enough. But in the wise words of YouTube viral sensation Sweet Brown.. "ain't no nobody got time for that", life is too short. Just yesterday I was 16 years old, imagining where I would be in a few years.. and here I am, in the moments I imagined. I don't want to look back when I'm 25 or 75 and wish I would have started today. As I fullfill my goals, and do the things I was once afraid of doing, that little voice saying "your not good enough" gets more and more quiet. If one shoots for the moon and disastrously fails, at least they'll be among the stars. So shoot for the moon. But don't fail. Failure is not an option.

Im just a girl with big dreams, conspiring a master plan to conquer The Universe ; gain incredible experiences, meet phenomenal people, look fabulous, contribute to my community, save the world, and inspire others along the way. 

Welcome to My Official Blog.

Sincerely, Jenaae.