Jamie Nease Portraits

Pain is often a sign that something has to change. - Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening I stand in solidarity with the black community. I’ve been pausing and listening carefully for the last couple weeks. Feeling into the discomfort, trying to deepen my understanding of the intense pain and anger being expressed from years of injustice and not being heard. Knowing that as a white woman I can never truly understand, but that as a human with empathy, I can listen and learn and ...lean into the discomfort of my white privilege. Knowing that no matter how open-minded, loving, caring, and socially conscious I think I am, I have a lot of hidden biases that need unpacking. Knowing it’s my responsibility to learn, unlearn, observe, and check myself and those around me. Not just now, but on an ongoing basis. As a species we’ll never truly be free until all of us are free. I’m committed to unlearning the systemic racism within me, and fighting for equality. Here are the actions I’ve taken, and I invite my white followers to join me: -Reading: How to be an Antiracist by @ibramxk, Me and White Supremacy by @laylafsaad -Listening: @rachel.cargle ‘s lecture Unpacking White Feminism, @brenebrown podcast featuring @ibramxk, @tarabrach talk A Courageous Presence with Racism -Donating: @colorofchange, @blacklivesmatter, @thelovelandfoundation -Investing: @thegreatunlearn membership, @katvellos_author piece on How to Support your Black & Non-black Friends Right Now -Confronting: Having difficult conversations with family members and friends, questioning my own thoughts and actions I’ll continue to add more to my list as I deepen my learning. I’ll continue to look for black businesses I can be a patron of. I can no longer stay silent out of my own discomfort and fear. I want to learn, grow, and be an ally to my black sisters and brothers. I’ll be posting some of the incredible black womxn I’ve had the opportunity to photograph, who are powerful forces to watch and listen to. I’ll do my part to #amplifymelanatedvoices and show the grace, beauty, and strength of these black womxn. Photo of the gorgeous, caring, and strong @_desireedavis

The Pre-Photoshoot Consultation! Designing Your Shoot

The Reveal: Unveiling the Mystery

Happy belated birthday to the beautiful Priscilla from Halcyon Home Staging + Design I had so much fun working with Priscilla a couple months ago to update all her branding photos for her business. We met before her photoshoot (as I do with all my clients) to discuss the essence of her brand and how it will evolve over the coming years. We had so much fun designing her photoshoot together, planning everything from props to wardrobe! After trying on this dress from the stud...io wardrobe at her consultation, she decided to wear it to her shoot. And I’m glad she did!! She looks so gorgeous She also brought a bunch of beautiful props to her session, and I can’t wait to share others from this shoot!! Hair and makeup by the fabulous Maya Roget Makeup + Hair

Looking for a graduation gift for your grad? My next group dance shoot will be held at @sfdancespace on Sunday June 23rd!! Click here to learn more and claim your spot: www.jamienease.com/dancers Give the gift of a magazine-style photoshoot with a personalized design consultation, professional hair and makeup, costume styling, and keepsake fine art prints. I absolutely love photographing dancers. The elegance, the strength, the movement, the moment of perfect extension. I’d b...e honored to capture this time in your graduate’s life! Portrait of the beautiful @ms.alliegator taken at @sfdancespace. Hair and makeup by the amazing @mayarogetmakeup

My heart is heavy this week. My Grandpa passed away Sunday night at the age of 83. It’s been a difficult few weeks witnessing his suffering and decline, but I know he was at peace in the end. I’m grateful that I got to spend some time with him and tell him how much I love him. He was a big part of my childhood, someone who loved me unconditionally and who wanted nothing more than to make me happy. I have many memories of our summer houseboat trips where he would eat countless... burnt marshmallows as I tried to get the perfect golden brown one. He knew I was terrified of spiders, so he would make sure to clear them all out before I arrived, and would go with me to the outhouse to hold the door cracked so I didn’t get trapped in the dark with them He would always bring me my favorite sodas and chocolate donettes to enjoy with him on the back deck. And he clinged for his life on the back of a jet ski for hours and hours while I learned how to drive it (at the age of 12 ). I took this photo of him on Christmas Day almost exactly 5 months ago. I knew I needed to capture his essence as a keepsake for my own heart as he aged. I was surprised how quickly he agreed to do it, and how he allowed my mom and I to go through his closet to find the perfect outfit, after which I combed and hair sprayed his hair. I made him trapse across a huge field in front of my mom’s house to sit on a rickety old chair in front of this barn which has been a part of our family for generations. He told me that while his body may be aging, he was still just a young kid at heart. I told him I believed him and I felt that. We were laughing and telling jokes (something he always did), and I caught him in this sweet moment. This photo is precious to me. While he was in the hospital and not doing well, my family and I showed him old photos that sparked vivid memories and lit him up. Each photo helped him (and us) cope. I felt in my bones the importance of photos to help us remember and feel something over and over again, especially when we’ve lost loved ones. I love you Grandpa Thank you to my brother Brad for helping me get this photo