Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Imani M.
Hi Jada, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After years of being called a drama queen, my mother put me in acting classes at the age of 10. The more I learned, the more my love for acting grew. I learned the basics of projection, staying in character, memorization, and enunciation. Fast forward to the next year, I auditioned for Thomas Pullen with the hope of joining the Drama program. My mother was determined for me to continue. I became the most comfortable with acting once I attended Suitland High School as a Theatre major. The foundations I learned helped me to become the star I always knew I was destined to be. This was only the beginning.
In college I discovered my interest in Theatre was fading. The enjoyment of it was gone. I was confused because it was all I knew for 8 years straight. Thankfully, my love for acting was not entirely gone and I found a passion for filmmaking. After searching for film programs in the area, I discovered The Art Institute of Washington. Though not the greatest school, I learned the fundamentals of filmmaking and picked up photography along the way.
In 2016, I took a lighting for film class at school. Our first assignment was to take photos in B&W and in color. I was encouraged to take up photography as a potential career and that is when I made an Instagram dedicated to my photography journey. Photography provided me with the opportunity to showcase Black people in ways I had yet to see. I have always been a fan of fantasy films especially by Tim Burton. Unfortunately, I knew I would never see anyone who looked like myself represented in his films. I was not discouraged. I was inspired. I created my first passion project inspired by SZA’s “Broken Clocks”. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bix2q_Fnugo/?img_index=1
In 2019, I began to photograph local events and concerts in order to build community while building my portfolio. I was fortunate enough to build genuine relationships with local artists such as Odd Mojo, Maroon Mood, Alex vaughn, Cheakaity, Foots x Coles, Al Hostile, and more. Prior to this, I was constantly feeling sorry for myself and expressing it online. I would always claim I was slept on before putting in the actual work. Making a change in my attitude was ultimately the catalyst for everything else that followed. One of my first times in the photo pit at a big show was at The Anthem in 2019. I photographed 2 metal bands on behalf of IMP/9:30 Club. I fell in love with the lighting and playing around with the colors in post. From then on I went to photograph other artists such as Lizzo, Steve Lacy, Ari Lennox, and more.
Post pandemic, I continued to create large group projects: Colors 2020, DEATH TO ASSIMILATION, and INFINITY. Each project holds a special place in my heart. Colors 2020 was create to showcase brown and dark skin Black people in various colors of clothing. As a Black photographer, I hold myself accountable for representing the underrepresented. DEATH TO ASSIMILATION showcases Black women and nonbinary people with tattoos, locs, afros, piercings, and bold jewelry in an alternative professional fashion. INFINITY showcases portraits of various Black women in hairstyles that represent and amplify Black hair culture. My desire to begin this body of work started from my childhood when I viewed hair magazines at the salon my mother worked at. Intentionally, I began this project by photographing it on film. Film is personal and feels larger than life. I knew medium format film was the perfect medium for the still images. The goal of this project is to show Black women as the originators of these styles and how they have transcended time.
Currently, I am working with my friends, Akeira Cramer and Cheakaity to create various mini series’. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY-Ur8wgI47/
Acting for television and film has always been the goal and the reason why I began acting in the first place. I am grateful to use all of the skills I have acquired as a multifaceted creative in order to achieve my dreams.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My career paths have come with their fair share of obstacles. In the photography industry, there is a lack of representation of Black women, especially in the live music space. When I photograph festivals and concerts outside of the DMV area, I rarely see other Black women in the pit. Even though I have had my fair share of struggles, I have had a great community of artists around me my entire career.
As an actress, I have found myself struggling to fit into the mold of actresses of today. I still feel like there is a niche group of Black women who are vastly underrepresented.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most known for my work in live music as well as creative work I have done with local artists.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself having multiple successful films and tv shows as a writer, director, and actress. The biggest shift in my career I plan to take is shifting to being in front of the camera full time. I still have passion for photography and I am using my knowledge to build my cinematic universe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jadaimanim.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jadaimanim
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadaimanim/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JadaImaniM
