As an artist there are some people who I LOVE photographing. I could photograph them everyday. There is something about their beauty, bone structure, and spirit I love to capture, that my eye finds fascinating and wants to study them over and over. This is the case for jewelry designer Caroline Ventura who is one of (along with Heather) my muses. I first met Caroline on a shoot for Cup of Jo three years ago and we have been friends ever since. Did you know she was the first cinemagraph we ever shot? We just never tired editing it until AFTER our first public one. She was the first person I photographed at our old studio and this shoot is our first together at our new one.
We are both artists and we have known each other as photographer + subject for sometime now. I’ve shot Caroline beautifully, I’ve shot her COOL, but as we have been getting older we are looking to find more depth in our work. I’ve been wanting to focus less on the clothing in my personal shoots these days and more on the beauty of the female form. Caroline and I were going to meet up for dinner and I said, hey, let’s do a shoot before we head out, which eventually turned into a night of film photographs, margaritas, girl talk, and these moments below.
… and just for fun I asked Caroline a series of fill in the blank questions just for a new take on an old friend.
I am most inspired by…
My friends. I’m so lucky to have an incredible circle of talented friends who all support each other and push one another to do/create beautiful things.
An ideal day for me is…
When I can see blue skies. As long as the sun is shining, anything can be thrown my way.
My favorite artist is…
Lia Chavez, who is doing really beautiful things in the art world right now. I am so fortunate to call her a friend. Her solo show, Carceri, just opened at Two Rams on the LES. She is one of the gentlest and most humble humans and a huge inspiration to me.
The best way I express myself is…
With my mouth. I talk a lot.
New York City is…
Home. No matter where I go in my life it always pulls me back.
If I could go back in time, I’d tell my 21-year-old self…
To be more fearless. You have nothing to lose.
Beauty to me is…
Someone doing something they love. When their passion radiates and you can feel it just by being near them.
I wish people appreciated more…
Things made by hands and not machines.
I wish more women…
Picked up a tool box and got their hands dirty.
2014 for me will be…
Better than 2013. That was a difficult year full of a lot of growing pains.
I am most passionate about…
Simplicity. No muss, no fuss.
I am happiest when…
I have a cup of something warm to drink, my husband’s hand to hold, and a dog to pet.
Love is…
I’ll get back to you on that.
I find my calm amid the craziness by…
Taking little drives out of the city to put my feet on actual grass.
My shoots with Caroline from around the web, so fun to see our friendship through photographs!:
Winter Muse {Polaroid} // In the Studio // Four-Strand Braid // Ponytail Twist // Top Knot // Rope Bun // Sleek Parted Ponytail // Colored Chalk Tips // Mermaid Tail Braid // Pretzel Braid // Gibson Roll // Chestnut Bun // Braided Crown // Braided Top Bun // Old Hollywood // Wonderful World // MOOP! // Geo Print Tank // Silk Kimono Wrap // Flame Earrings // Blue Trio Bracelets // Sapa Cape //
Styled by Kelly Framel
not surprising but beautiful photography and beautiful muse! Women are so beautiful in the raw and naked – I agree that when a woman is going something she loves, she is that much more beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Jamie!
Totally agree! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂
Jamie – you are one of the most beautiful and inspiring women I know. I have a love for photography and simple elegance and your photography illustrates how incredibly talented and elegant you are inside & out. I wish I knew you personally because I think you are one of those people that exudes a happiness from within that lights up a room and makes everyone around you warm with love. I absolutely love your blog and am an avid follower of all things Jamie. I hope you will one day consider doing a coffee table book with your beautiful photos and wonderful commentaries – I’d be the first to buy one and stand in line for an autograph 🙂 Ps. I’m from Brasil but live in upstate NY – loved your Brasil pixs! God bless!
Your comment and kindness blow me away! I’m so humbled by your support, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Also, in a couple of weeks, I have some stories on Brazil’s Amazon!!! I hope you like 🙂
These are stunning ladies. What a beautiful collaboration. Caroline your words are almost as stunning as your person. Love you! XO.
absolutely stunning!
super gorgeous. love seeing inspiring ladies making inspiring magic. xxx
Thank you, couldn’t agree more!
These were incredible and her answers as genuine and simple as the questions. I love these and would love to see more of people that inspire you through photographs. Thank you, Jamie. x
Thanks for the feedback! I’d love to do more shoots + have inspiring women around all the time 🙂
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. I’m dying inside because this is so beautiful.
thank you so much 🙂
Hi Jamie ~ It’s been a while since I commented on your work, but it’s been so fun to see how far you’ve come since we connected over that shoot for Fashion Me Green! Ages ago! Your work is stunning and so is Caroline! Big love <3
Thanks Alex for the lovely comment and support 🙂
Stunning… Just stunning…
Both remarkable creative human beings, I’m not surprised the result is this beautiful. Great work as usual Jamie!
Thanks so much Lawrence! Means a lot..
Amazing photographs. Naturally beautiful. Glad I stumbled upon them!