Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaymie Harrison.
Jaymie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was the first time I heard his little heart beat. At that moment, my life was forever changed. You could say he is “my why.” With a growing baby inside, I began a regular Yoga practice; it kept me comfortable during my pregnancy both physically and mentally. Yoga was the gateway to my self-discovery.
Being a young mama, as a millennial, isn’t exactly traditional theses days. We didn’t have cameras on our phones, and for the life of me, I wasn’t able to capture a photo of my wild cub with just a normal camera. It was when my beautiful boy was about two years old, I purchased my first DSLR camera. In and out of school trying to figure out my life’s purpose, it wasn’t ever clear for my free spirited self. I did have a passion for yoga. I decided to start with massage school before my yoga training. I felt it would make me a better yoga teacher. So, I enrolled myself into massage school up in Bend Oregon. As a full-time student and a mother to a crazy toddler, I made a goal that when I was finished I would then get certified as a Yoga teacher.
The desire to document my little man’s life brought to my attention my own journey through yoga. The love story began… yoga, photography, mamahood, and my spiritual awakening…
After completing Massage Therapy, I hopped on a flight to Nasara, Costa Rica. I did a two-week intensive Yoga teacher training with Amazing Yoga at the Blue Spirit Resort. After two years of teaching in Bend Oregon and juggling my massage business, we decided to sell our home in Bend. The market was high and sold our home in two days, great timing I guess. The family and I packed up and moved to Maui Hawaii. Life was but a dream.
I started studying ayurveda medicine and the yogic diet. My husband is an amazing Chef who had just gotten his raw/vegan certification on the island of Maui. My husband and I had a calling. We bravely took all our earnings from selling our home up in Oregon to open a restaurant. Pangea Maui, “earth to table” was born. Maui’s only jungle dining experience, a dream come true. Although the dream building would never pass inspections, we were forced to shut our doors, basically overnight. This island experience will forever remain a mystery. But the silver lining… during this time, I picked up my camera, I needed a new perspective. I enrolled back into school and studied photography at the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center in Maui Hawaii.
My camera became a source of medicine healing for me. It gave me a new view to see all the beauty around me in some really dark days. The loss of the restaurant was almost like a wild fire had come through. It took all of our financial security and our personal belongings. Financially, we hit rock bottom. I had my loved ones and my photos left. We then left to LA for jobs. Four years on Maui to the 405… with a lot of prayers and help from our dear friends and family, we somehow landed in a Jewel, La Jolla California. A place I had only dreamt of.
I continued to practice Yoga regularly and was eager to get involved with the local community in our new home. My girlfriend Jessica McClain introduced me to the lovely Kera Van Huizum, owner of Shade Boutique at Buddhi Yoga who then introduced me to Amanda McCarroll and Carolina Vivas, owners of Buddhi Yoga La Jolla. The rarest of beauties, these women define strength! I began photographing and connecting with as many humans as possible. It all happened so fast and so organically. It was just meant to be I guess. “Experience gives you the power and the confidence to be you.” And the rest is herstory!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Rejection has been a flat out struggle. I didn’t feel supported by my allies or those closest to me, especially in the beginning. Outside viewers “tried” to determine my worth. It was totally frustrating! Success didn’t happen overnight as I had hoped in this Insta world. The rejection was actually the key for my success though. It forced me to come back to self, back to my yoga mat, back to my camera and back to inspiration. I used my camera as a way to teach, to tell stories and share excitement and joy through my photos. This gave me comfort, peace, and motivation. My intent was so pure because photography was so healing for me. It became clear that through my own process and my creative offerings, others were being reminded of their own divinity.
The rejection made me want to get better. It fueled me. I was energized, it felt more like a pull rather than a forceful push. Being rejected or “redirected” allowed me to be fueled by those who did match my frequency. With time (and time is seriously your best friend) I was able to sharpen my tools and find the support I needed. What you seek is seeking you! Invest in those who invest in you. The magick lives in those rare moments when YOU are seen. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishments”
What should we know about Jay Noelle Photography? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
All organic sunlight photography. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I adore working with prenatal mamas. Having another spirit present is pure magic. I really don’t think it gets more beautiful than a mother carrying the love of her life, mixed with the natural landscapes of our great mother earth. Witnessing the journey of mothers and fathers to be; beginning with prenatal, the actual birth and welcoming the baby into this crazy world is such a special gift. It’s this one magical year that is precious beyond words and it goes by way too fast! I can testify. My knowledge and experience with motherhood, yoga, and photography, I feel culminates in my passion for capturing the human spirit. When I bring these three elements together; miracles happen, art is created
I work closely with women who are practicing yoginis during pregnancy. Bringing my two loves together, I’m not just a photographer capturing a pose; I seek to capture the essence of the mother’s spiritual experience as she prepares for the birth of her child. The ultimate creation. It is an absolute privilege to be a witness, from beginning to end.
These mothers and fathers I work with are consciously deciding to bring their children into a loving compassionate environment. It’s an honor to be a part of their journey. It is the intent behind my work; the sacred space we hold together. A beautiful co-creation really!
I am most definitely a people person. A lot of my sessions somehow end up therapeutic. Haha.
I feel good about connecting with movers and shakers to make our world a better place. It is the conscious parents of our future generations and the spiritually aware I enjoy co-creating with. Ever evolving. Expansive. Timeless. I would consider photography as my artwork. So, depending on the tides and the moon phases my art does change. My willingness to understand humans as I adore people and I know that whomever I work with it is my delight to give them the best experience of their life. Just as the lightning strikes. It’s in those moments, I capture!
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Personally, adversity is my fuel. But in my profession, there is absolutely a lack of female photographers. Let me break down how the tech side of being a photographer is from a yoginis/women’s perspective…
The brain contains two hemispheres. The right side is associated with the moon; this is the feminine and creative principle. Responsible for passion, sensuality, imagination, and art. And the left side of the brain is associated with the sun. This is the masculine and our analytical side. Practical and logic.
A camera is basically a computer and requires a lot of logic! I’m great at breaking “things”, and not so good at fixing “things”, haha. Did I mention photoshop?! It’s taken me years to conquer these two programs. As a Yogini, I’m naturally right brain dominant. In a nutshell, the tech side of this business has been a nightmare. The hours beyond hours of edits, the behind the scenes. Working with machinery has been very challenging for me.
You are probably wondering why I do it right? So, I learn. These are great problems to have. It challenges me! It allows me to expand my mind. It teaches me patience. It teaches me to be practical and to control my emotions. It is helping me become my highest self. And then I sage myself, haha.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaynoellephotography.com
- Phone: 808.868.8499
- Email: jaynoellephotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lovejaynoelle
Image Credit:
Steve Tague, Cadencia
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