Are you a working or inspiring actor?

In association with "Jaqs Acting School"  in New Orleans, Jay Kay Photography and Media, LLC  will be discounting all students or Alumni of Jaqs Acting School for "Head Shots". Remember, The most important thing an actor / actress can have is an updated  head shots for casting calls. These head shots should be updated once every 6 months as a young actor or actress look will change overtime. So don't wait. Please contact us for rates and bookings today, 985-340-0040. 

Holiday Promotional

Starting November 1 through December 15th. We will be running free photo sessions. All you do is pay for the photo's you want. Get updates portaitures  of you and / or your family. Put your holiday photos on coffee mugs,greetings cards,photo albums and much more. 

The free photo sessions will be taking place at our new studio location, 112 S. Holly Street in Hammond LA. 

We,ve already started to promote this and we are getting booked up fast. Please call and schedule your session today! 985-340-0040.

Supper Model Portfolios Special

To get started, every model needs to have a portfolio, website and comp cards to get started in the industry. Portfolios are usually large black books with 8x10 or larger images (from a variety of looks or photo shoots) included in the book.

 This will show the casting director that youre able to pull off many looks and can achieve what he or she is looking to accomplish through their upcoming print ads or commercials. Photos in your portfolio should usually not be more than a year old, as your look can change through the course of time. Its recommended that you update your portfolio images at least once every six months to keep your portfolio looking fresh.

A modeling website is important because you need to let the world know that you exist and that youre looking for work. Your modeling website should include your portfolio, stats and contact information. Never give out too much information though, only your first name and e-mail address is required on most modeling websites.

Jay Kay Photography & Media, provides all of these services. We are a one stop shop for newcomers and professional models alike.

Jay Kay Photography is running  a model portfolio special starting a $900 for a complete model portfolio and website package.

Please contact Michaela for more information and booking 

1-888-344-0040

or email her at

models@mail.jaykayphotography.com

Self Portrait

  

Did a few self portraits today. I really needed to update my Pictures. Tell me what you think.

Yard Work Woes

Okay, 

         My family already had a good laugh today, So, I might as well share this 

with the rest of the world to share in the jokes and laughter of my yard work woes. Being the city boy that I am. Moving into the country offered many daily challenges. After living in rural Louisiana (Somewhere outside of New Orleans) for 5 years now, you would think I would know better than to get a pickup truck stuck in some mud. Nope, Big JJ here had to push the limits.

It all started when my neighbor came over with his tractor [today] to help me clear some brush on my land. It began t rain and his tractor became stuck in the mud. Well needles to say that Ole' Jay here had the solution to his farm equipment blunders. I was going to roll to the rescue in my 06 ( 4x4, V8) Ford F150 for which I deemed "Unstoppable", often times I would brag about my truck by sounding like a commercial "My truck is Ford Tuff" so I decided instead of getting to him by dry land, I would take the muddy route, because after all its "Ford tuff" and nothing can stop this bad boy from getting through (Not even Mud). 

The First time through I was successful, but the second time through, Needless to say, Like the Titanic I sank. What a fiasco! I was able to get him out using my Lincoln Navigator;however, the Navigator became stuck afterwards. So, my neighbor used his tractor (That I just pulled out) to get the Lincoln Navigator out.

So as you can see, my prize winning truck lays patiently in the mud awaiting rescue. My other neighbor going to come over with his front end loader to pull be out. Thank God he is a contractor. This is what it's like to live in South East marshy Louisiana. In the mean time, I will not quit my day job as a Photographer :-)

Cheers

Jamil-Kareem

Gallery Exhibition

Good day every body,

I will be having a gallery showing at Global Garrisons Cafe in Hammond Louisiana this Saturday August 16, 2008. I am excited about this years "Hot August Night Festival" as I will be going a little New School and featuring some of my Newest work on an HD Screen so you will experience the vibrant colors. Of course I will have my framed prints hanging on the walls;morever, I am definetely taking advantage of available technologies to express my art

here is the address

105 South Cate Street

Hammond, LA 70401

985.419.1180

I hope to see you there

Peace and Blessings,

Jamil-Kareem

Nikon D800

I just bought the D700, I can just scream !!!!

James Nacthwey- Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist

This is one of my all time favorite photographers of all time. He is the reason why I became a Photojournalist. Please watch a segment of this profound story. 

What are you looking at!!!!

This kid was the coolest! Just walking along, as I take my camera everywhere, when suddenly a little boy says "Hey will you take my picture?" his mother was in amazement of his boldness. His staunchly grimace definitely makes the coolest portrait list.

New Orleans Night Photography-Tips and Tricks

New Orleans at night [ like most cities] is beautiful, and there is a special magic about capturing this great city at night.  Night and low light photography is a difficult feat. Thus, it takes much practice and patients.

I see many tourist come through New Orleans with there expensive DSLR cameras, and they always want to shoot at night the many beautiful locations that New Orleans has to offer. However, many people always come up short because they use either a fast Film Speed and/or flash. The secret as most of you may know is first a Trp-Pod, Slow film speed (ISO 100 or lower) and a long exposure. This is just one technique.Having fast glass (F/2.8 or lower) is the other and the best way to go.

Here is a check list that you should have to accomplish clear, crisp and properly exposed night and low light frames. 1)A sturdy Tri-Pod or monopod 2) F/16 for DOF [wide apertures are a mistake as they can increase your chance of flare] 3)A clean lens free of dust (Most important) 4)Long exposure as I used 30 seconds (You want to bath you film or CCD in as much light stopping down on you aperture as much as possible, or a Fast lens and a High ISO (Note: I would only do this with full frame digital cameras, like the Nikon D700 and D3 5)Always Keep your EV value at 0 6) Manual Focus- Spend about five minutes looking at your seen or subject through your lens, allow time for you eyes to adjust. Then get the sharpest focus you can produce manually. 7_Manual Exposure- Dont depend on Aperture or shutter priorities, true pros shot with manual exposure. Also Use your spot meter feature when shooting night. Photography The recipe above should produce the results that I have achieved above everytime. A good book to read on Night Photography: "The Complete Guide to Night and Low Light Photography" by Lee Frost ISBN 0-8174-5041-6 Pick it up at any borders or Barnes & Noble Happy Shooting Jamil-Kareem

"Tom"

While walking through the French Quarter today. My wife and I came across a talented young man whom calls himself Tom. 

There are many street musicians that play in the quarter;however, this young cat has real chops to boot. His playing is very original and organic, which makes me think that he is self taught. 

His style of playing is very melodic. In using a variety of minor chords you cant help but to stand their and just listen.

I wanted to capture this moment on film the best way possible the really give people a glimpse of Tom, his guitar and his story. If you are ever in the quarter on decatur street, give Tom a listen as well as a tip.

Jamil Jones

My Little Pony On Bourbon Street

My wife and I were walking along Bourbon street in New Orleans. As we went further down [crossing into the Gay district] we came across these two ponies just walking down the street. Don't ask me why there where wild  ponies walking down bourbon. Moreover, nothing seizes to amaze me when it comes to the Big Easy.

Cee Cee Michaela's CBN Interview

Here is My friend Cee Cee's Interview, that she did on 700 club. She called me to let me know it was on as she was really excited about it. She has come along way and I support her ministry 100%.




Be sure to discover more on her ministry

http://www.ceeceemichaela.com




Here is Part 2 of her interview

Black Mississippi- Photo History and Essay

On the first and Second weekends of every month for the next year. I will be working on a Photo Essay called "Black Mississippi" the essay will be published as a book through "Book Surge" an (Amazon.com Company whom also owns Borders book store) 

I will be traveling all through out Mississippi visiting historic civil rights locations, and documenting people that have been affected by Jim Crow laws and recording their stories. I will be visiting the prison in Jackson MS and documenting the place where the "Freedom Riders" where held and mistreated.

My wife and I have already visited the site of where Emit till was slain in 1955 for whistling at a white woman. which was the event that has marked the beginning of the modern Civil Rights Era movement in Mississippi.

While I was there at the historic seen of the crime (Tallahatchie River near Greenwood, Miss)whilst taking photos, someone drove by and threw a bottle at us. No one was hurt, but this goes to show you that, its been a little over 50 years and the wounds of bigotry and hatred are still open. This was clrearly a sign saying "Stop dredging up the past and your presence is not welcomed there.

As an African American and a journalist. This event has made me even more passionate to complete this documentary.

This is just a microcosm of things I will cover in Mississippi throughout the next year.

Unfortunately, racism is still alive and well in Mississippi. 

As I am also a new photojournalist for Sheen Magazine (www.sheenmagazine.com), I will be discussing a proposals with my editor, in doing an exclusive on this piece in time for black history month 2009;whereas, It would also help promote the book.

If anyone would be like to assist me doing some documentation and coverage this summer for a couple of days please contact me as I could use the help.

Your photos and/or article will be credited in both the book and magazine it will also be a chance to discover more about this history. We will be going into areas that will not welcome us (Photographers and Journalist, any type of media) in (rural Mississippi), 

in general people just protest in shouting out there disapproval or doing coward stuff like what I described above. I live not to far from the MS border in a suburb of New Orleans, which I am in Mississippi all the time so I know the area and the people. 

I don't expect allot of this to be going on, but it does happen surprisingly on both sides (White and Black) as the past is hard to deal with

So drop me a line if anyone is interested in trekking and documenting through out Mississippi on an historic scavenger hunt.

Peace and Blessings,

Jamil Jones

The Official Blog

 

Hey Guys,

                 Thanks for visiting my Official Company Blog. Actually since I don't have a personal blog and Photography is a big part of my life, this will be a personal and a company Blogger. For those of you that do not know me, my name is Jamil-Kareem and I am the founder of this awesome Commercial Photography company called Jay Kay Photography & Media. Please be sure to check out our newest website http://www.jaykayphotography.com it works on Adobe Air Technology and it awesome. If you've visited the website, please post your comments as I am interested in what you guys think about it.

The Name Jay Kay

Most people think that the name of the company has allot to do with my name Jamil-Kareem, nevertheless, this is only a coincidence. The name Jay Kay actually is named after my wife and me Jamil & Michaela or our nicknames [ Jay & Kayla] I had to include my wife's name in this company as she has always supported me from the beginning when I started with nothing. Such as this company ,Michaela is my dream and inspiration and I could not accomplish any of this with out her encouragement and support.

Music and Photography

The picture above is a frame that I took at the Jazz festival this year in New Orleans (Where I Live) It's one of my favorite pieces and I have it hanging up in my Home, it is also hanging up at  favorite hang out and cafe "Global Garrisons Cafe" in Hammond Louisiana, Music (Like photography is a major part of my life) I am a musician/composer, and when I am not creating pictures, I am creating music or writing poetry. One thing you will learn about me is that I am always creating. I am holistically a right sided thinker whereas I need to express myself through the arts. My favorite styles of music would include Jazz,Fusion,Neo Soul, world music (In particular West African Music I.E. Foyotee and Congolesse) and classical (In particular Bouroque and chamber music as I find this style of classical music to be very emotional. 

The Society

I am also working on starting a Gallery with my wife in New Orleans features the photographic work of African Americans. I have started a Non-Profit called The Society Of African & African American Photographers. I have applied for a 501c for this, and expect it to come shortly. In the mean time the society has a website (Sort of) on Flickr 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/soaap/

We are 73 member strong and growing. All are welcomed to join the group, it doesn't matter your race color nor creed. This group was created in an effort to collaborate,Network,exhibit and discuss the works of African and African American Photographers and the works of any photographer whos subject mater features any aspect of people of color and their culture. I want to be clear. All racial and ethnic groups can join the group, as this group is not about segregation but understanding of culture through imagery.

I hope you guys enjoy reading my blogger. As there will be a ton of information that I will be putting up in the near future. Please be sure to visit my website http://www.jaykayphotography.com as the site is highly dynamic;whereas, I will be changing things here as well.

Welcome!!!

Peace and Blessings,

Jamil-Kareem