Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffani Jai.
Tiffani, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Since I was 2 or 3, I’ve had a camera in my hand and has always been into art. Around 11 or 12, I entered into this scholarship program called ACT-SO. Starting out, I had no idea what category I wanted to enter into; I Chose photography and business and went out to buy the first camera that I still shoot with to this day.
A few months into the competition, I got discouraged and withdrew from the program. More months go by, and there I was, sitting with a five hundred dollar camera in my room collecting dust. One day a friend of mine named Sydney Alexander asked if I could take some pictures for her and everything took off from there. Before I knew it, I had two mentors that brought me along to their shoots and work days. Around this time, I was 13 or 14 working and learning the industry. Around 16, I started taking pictures and working for myself, doing events, birthday parties, weddings, portraits, etc.
2017 I was able to take pictures at New York fashion week. Coming back to Georgia, Things really started to take off. From getting gigs at well-known Parties to capturing stills at music videos shoot’s, God truly blessed me with a lot. During that time, God kept speaking a word to me about doing video, and during that year, my Father and Grandfather meet each other for the first time after 47 years. So after finding him, God put it in my heart to tell that story and started putting people in my life that did something in film. Not having any experience or taken any film classes I researched as much as I could and went down to Jamaica to record my very first documentary, Longing For.
Next thing I know by the grace and favor of God my documentary was screened at the 2018 Bronze Lens film festival, it screened at Landmark theater three months later, and I’m now working on bringing my film to all streaming platforms. Since then I’ve been building up work under my belt, Working along the side of my mentors in the film industry, Working with CREWNATION as an Executive Assistant where we advocate for inclusion in the film industry and most of all working in my photography business.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
To give myself a set title or label what my art is and what I create is challenging to do. I believe that God has not made us to be one thing or to create one thing. His word says to take those very talent’s that he has given us and double them in his honor. If anything that’s what I do, that’s what I’m working on. Making sure that I’m being a good steward over the gifts that he has given me (In Art and outside of art) and giving him the glory in the end.
I can say, I’ve always been a storyteller. From the color to the placement of objects and subjects in a frame, even down to the symbolism; In all that I create and work on, I make sure there is meaning in the midst of it. Some of my work consists of portrait and documentary Photography and film.
Jumping back into photography, I believe the message and inspiration of my work are being in your image. My work is and has always been connected to my belief and faith in God. Knowing that he made us in his image and his likeness, I feel it is important that I capture that very thing. Each session before I shoot with someone, I make sure to build some kind of rapport with them, so when it’s time to get in front of the camera they are more than comfortable with me capturing their true self.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
I recommend staying informed with social pages or groups that have events about what you like to do. Also not to be afraid to get out and network, you can’t catch your blessing if you’re not out in the field to receive it.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
The main platform that I use to showcase my work is Instagram. My Instagram is @Tiffanijaii, and my website is found in the link of my Instagram bio. Those who would like to support me in my gifts can book a Portrait session with me so I can capture their image. People can also support by checking out Crewnation.com to see what we do for the film industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tiffanijai.wixsite.com/image
- Email: Tiffanijai@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tiffanijaii
Image Credit:
Adam Wash, Tiffani jai
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
