Meet Tiffani Jai of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffani Jai.

Hi Tiffani, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Determination would be the word I’d use to describe how I got to where I am today. What started as an aimless pick of categories in a scholars program for high-achieving Black students in academics and the arts (ACT-SO) led to a continuous act of choosing to capture stories that often get left behind.

I started photography around the age of 12 and worked with two mentors for a couple of years before branching out on my own. After graduating high school, I landed my first professional opportunity and was invited to shoot the 2017 AMCONYC Fashion Week, working with designers like Emily Prozinski (Emuleos), Li-Ling Wang (WangLiLing), Richard Eichhorn (Rich by Richie Rich), Sean Kinney (Eddie Eddie by Billy Tommy), and more.

Returning to Atlanta at just 17, with sharper networking skills and a few more SD cards, I got to work. I went on to capture celebrity events, portraits, cover art, and behind-the-scenes stills for music videos for artists like Trans Lee and Leah Culver, and I shot campaign work for Linell Ellis, a Black-owned luxury handbag and accessories brand.

Soon after finding my stride in photography, my heartstrings started playing a different melody once my dad and grandfather reunited after being separated for 47 years. Having only ever held a camera to take photos, I was given an assignment by the Lord to take more than just a photo. I spent months during my last semester of school working on my first feature-length film and preparing it for the 2018 BronzeLens Film Festival. Longing For was officially selected into the International section, and on a full-house screening day, I got to work again.

After the festival, I worked on several productions, including the YouTube series Black Girls’ Guide to Fertility; BET’s Project CRE8: Cabin Fest; Marvel’s Disney+ miniseries Ironheart; Sony Pictures’ Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile; and the independent feature The Wake Up Call (streaming on Tubi), where I served as 1st Assistant Director.

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?
No — a journey with no terrain is a low valley where called purposes never get answered. Everyone who has reached the “top” of their desired success has gone through rough situations. The point isn’t to dwell on the struggle itself, but to share what was learned from it and give glory to whom glory is due.

Forgiveness matters more than proving right over wrong. The more curious you remain, the less offended you can be. Your days are numbered, so be present and choose what you can control. What you speak is what you see — so speak life. These are some of the things I’ve learned.

Sometimes the biggest battle an artist faces isn’t the fight to keep going; it’s the fight to redirect. When I made Longing For, I created a second version I believed was better than the first — and the day before my four-wall screening, my hard drive fell down a flight of stairs. Hearing the disk fracture from the inside caused a pain in my heart I never knew I could feel. That version will never see the light of day, nor feel the calm breeze of the evening. I could have given up and canceled the screening entirely, but with only the original cut still available on YouTube, I redirected. So, with a few misspelled captions, scenes that ran too long, and color grading that looked like the work of a first grader, I screened it anyway — because the message and purpose of the film mattered more than my own perfectionism about something I’d never done before.

I believe the most impactful takeaway viewers can experience from this documentary is what forgiveness looks like. The film shows how understanding can lead to compassion and forgiveness, even in an unforgivable situation. Longing For: The Documentary is available to view on YouTube, and I look forward to sharing it on other platforms so more people can witness its message and be inspired to forgive.

There’s a lot I’ve learned on this road. Overall, I’m glad I didn’t know then what I know now — because seeing what I went through and the beauty that came from the pain, I probably wouldn’t have made the same choice at the start.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently specialize in film and creative directing. A lot of my earlier work is in photography, but I look forward to continuing to pursue my interest and passion for directing and documentaries.

I’m most proud of the amount of work I was able to accomplish at such a young age, and the chance I took to explore film. Having the opportunity to capture stories from an empathetic point of view is an honor.

I think what sets me apart is my calling to leave no story untold — and no story without the good news of the gospel.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The industry will keep changing — technology, platforms, what’s considered “trending” — but I’m not called to keep up with the world’s standard. My focus stays on authentic storytelling. I’m called to tell stories that matter, regardless of what’s popular at the time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Tiffanijai_
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tiffanijai
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/wWunvK-Klp4?si=rZdDZeZa7a_XoRpq