Meet Jaunaé Freeman | Photographer

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

Hi Jaunaé, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a kid my parents were always carrying around disposable & VHS cameras. To this day I can still go back and watch my entire childhood on film. I picked up my fathers love for chronicling every part of life when I was young. Now, I couldn’t imagine working a regular 9-5 job job. I was always good in school, but I was never interested; I didn’t feel like I was actually learning anything. I tried the traditional path after graduating from high school. I went to University for Neuroscience for a year and half – which completely drained me mentally and I absolutely hated it. After that I decided to take a year off with my best friend to travel but I promised my parents I would go back and graduate after a year of fun. I played sports my entire life also so, I ended up switching to the college in my town to study Sports Management; which I continued in for 2 years until Covid happened. Since I’m from Canada, Covid effected us a little bit harder than most places in terms of Government restrictions. Schools went online, jobs closed, everything shut down and we were forced to stay inside for months a time. Since I was forced to stay home and I was unemployed for the longest time since I was 12, I decided to get back into photography and I haven’t looked back since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am honestly still at the beginning of my journey. My name is Baby Naé and I am a 22 year old photographer from a small city across from Detroit. I have always been an artistic person but never thought that I’d be able to pursue anything even close to what I am doing now as a career. It definitely hasn’t been the easiest route financially. I travel a lot between Michigan and Atlanta to network and make connections which has been quite expensive during Covid due to all of the restrictions. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now tho, everyday I am constantly thinking of new ways to creative and new opportunities for my future so I’m not worried because I know my risks will be rewarded in the long run. I am constantly learning lessons along the way; as a creative you are constantly having to bet on yourself and sometimes we fall short of our expectations. I grew up playing sports so I was taught to be extremely resilient in times of adversity, I think that has played a huge roll in my pursuits of my dreams. Anything I don’t already know, there is a way I can teach myself or surround myself with people who can teach me. If I would want the world to know anything about it me it would be that – I will take THAT picture.

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.
I honestly am still new to the area… the only places I go is to the studio and our apartment lol someone take me around

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
4Twnty, thank you guys for taking a chance on me and sparking my creativity… i love the group we’ve created here in ATL xo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igotmesumbabynaee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/juannbeann

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/igotmesumbabynaee

Image Credits
flameprinncesss, ricorich10, katmoscone, sava3ughn, weare4twnty