Meet Jamenda Whitehead | Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamenda Whitehead and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamenda, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote or mantra is “Nothing fun happens, in your comfort zone” This quote has become the little voice inside my head, that tell’s me to do the thing that’s uncomfortable, because it leads to growth and experiences I could have never imagined. For years I put off seriously pursuing photography, because I did not know how to work a camera, and I was afraid of failing. However, I’ve learned that failure is a part of growth, and there have been so many wonderful moments that have happened, simply because I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and begin a new journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Everything is so fast paced these days that it’s easy to forget to be in the moment with others, and even easier to forget those moments over time. While I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer, the focus of my brand is to highlight the importance of human connection, by ensuring that my time with clients is encouraging, fun, and by creating images that will grace their memories for years to come. We are graced with each day we wake up and get to be in the presence of loved one’s, and it is something that we shouldn’t take for granted. Photography has become a way for me to serve and help remind others how blessed we are to be able to live and commemorate all of the special moments in our lives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I love sweets and brunch, and finding hidden gems in the Atlanta or surrounding areas. So their trip would have to include a trip to Cathy’s Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwiches, or Sasha Sweets bakery for the best cupcakes ever! Brunch at Le petit marche, or Sweet Georgia’s juke joint, and a visit to the chattahoochee bamboo forest, Roswell falls, and Arabia mountain. We would also check out the local comedy scene for the late night comedy show at Smith’s Olde Bar, Uptown comedy, or the laughing skull.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my mom and my grandmother in heaven. Growing up I watched my mom raise me and my 3 siblings as a stay at home mom and transition into eventually being the CFO of the church and private school we used to attend. I’ve always admired her ability to strategise, successfully run a business and family, and be so passionate about both. My grandmother always had multiple streams of income and before she retired was running her own cleaning business. I’ve always admired how independent she was and how she always found a way to make it happen. I continue to carry my grandmother’s spirit with me on my entrepreneurial journey, and constantly lean on my mother’s wisdom and encouragement to keep pushing forward, as I build my own legacy and business.

Website: jgracedphotography.com

Instagram: @jgracedphotography

Facebook: JGraced Photography

Image Credits
Dragonfly Photography