Born and raised in O'ahu, Hawai'i, Dallas wedding photographer JAMIE PARK brings her Aloha for connection, culture, and sentimental memories to every wedding she has the honour of photographing. Today we take a few minutes to sit down with Jamie and get to know her better.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER? My home of Hawai'i is the most beautiful place in the world. The lush greens, the vibrant flowers, the spirit of "Aloha" that deepens every interaction – Hawai'i is truly a gem. I had the privilege of growing up surrounded by such beauty, and it propelled me to become the artist I am today. My dad studied communications, and my grandfather preserved film cameras, so I got to learn about storytelling at an early age. Photography was like magic. I was fascinated with the way people reacted to their photos, laughed and cried while looking at photos, and treasured photos as if they were precious heirlooms. I wanted to become part of that process, and I always felt most alive when being creative, so the path to becoming a photographer was the most natural thing to me.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PATH TO GET THERE: After becoming a neurology nurse practitioner, I felt that I had fulfilled my familial obligation of achieving a "good career," and pursued photography – giving myself 6 months to see what I could make of myself. Six months passed in a flash, and I just never looked back. During those 6 months, it felt like I would never get to a point of success. There were always better photographers, clients who ghosted me, times I was disappointed with my work. But I kept going, telling myself, "I'll get there one day." And looking back, 6 years later, I am so thankful that I kept going, because I truly love my job.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? I strive to capture the essence of people. That means different things on different days. Sometimes my photos can feel moodier – if it's a cloudy day and the couple's style has some edge. Sometimes my photos can feel brighter – if the sun is out or the couple is full of magnetic energy. I don't want to impose a "look" upon the souls I am capturing. Overall, my colors are true to life, my photos feel in-the-moment, and I love bringing a sense of sentimentality and nostalgia to every frame.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? We all know that weddings are the biggest days of our lives. They also are a reflection of the deepest love that humans can share together. Between the people getting married, between them and their guests, there's so much love that it gives me chicken skin. I absolutely thrive while capturing weddings.
CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? My favourite wedding experiences have been whenever I have the honour of photographing my own friends on their special day. That just reinforces to me how special personal connections are while capturing a story. My emotional ties to my clients allow me to see them for their whole selves, not just a business transaction. And that's a beautiful thing!
ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Coffee, travel and a good bed. As I get older, I realise more and more that comfort is so key. A fresh cup of coffee, a beautiful new place to explore, and a comfortable bed to rest – what more could one ask for?
WHERE WOULD WE FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? With community and trying to be mindful in rest.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? I've always been very spontaneous, so a truly ideal day off would entail going somewhere random, trying something new. A park, an experiential activity, a museum, a thrift store – anything that I haven't tried already.
Dallas wedding photographer JAMIE PARK is a valued member of our VENDOR COLLECTIVE. With an artful, romantic approach, Jamie prioritizes capturing the true personalities of her clients, not simply taking a nice photo. She believes that feelings should be felt in every photo, and commits to making every meaningful moment count throughout your wedding day. See more of her portfolio here.
