I finally got the change to shoot with my girl Nahja (@sunkissedmelanin) who i haven't actually gotten to hang out with since high school! Her birthday outfit inspired an entire shoot the magic we created was amazing but Nadja like some of the other people I've worked with has never actually modeled before. Now I know its hard to work with someone who is new to modeling but I have some tips that help!

1. Comfortability is key! If you're model isn't comfortable its definitely going to show in your shots. I find that some of the best ways of making someone comfortable is reminding them that its just you guys having fun and not to think too much.

2. Music! I find that music is always helpful especially if I am shooting in the studio. Ask your model about the type of music they like when they want to relax or have fun and dance! I find that once the music gets going it helps the model get out of his or her head and just have fun.

3. Converse! Always treat your model like they are your best friend! I know that sounds funny but it works! I find that getting to know them and vice versa instantly melts the awkwardness away and makes the model much more comfortable working with you! This tidbit is especially helpful when shooting something a little more risque!

4. Take some time to look at your shots with your model! Now I'm not saying show them each and every one especially if thats something you're not comfortable with, but if you get an awesome shot show them. Hype them up and tell them how amazing they're doing. Let them know that they have nothing to worry about and that they look great. That boost in confidence with show in your shots as well as make your model more excited about what your creating!

I hope these tips are helpful! Stay blessed!

-Jpeg Zen

So recently I got the dope opportunity to meet Poe, whom some of you may recognize from her youtube page ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH20JqvEptYZuM9DbHXw0DA ) where she posts her awesome Frotorials! Or maybe you caught her feature in Essence Mag or have seen her on instagram (@_poemoney). She's the sweetest and we had so much fun shooting around the Floral district in Manhattan. Make sure you guys rain some love on her and for all my naturalist and curly girls stop by her youtube page to check out dope tips and tricks for your fro's! Her curls are definitely my Curl-spiration! She's also an amazing dancer and poet! Make sure you check her out!

So recently I got the opportunity to work with RISE, the sister branch of Pass the Rock (www.passtherockteam.com). If you're wondering what exactly RISE is, it's "a space where girls and women would come to shed the lies that have been spoken over them and pick up instead their true identity in Christ Jesus." Besides covering part of the final meeting, I got to be a fly on the wall for the whole thing. It was beautiful thing to be able to watch these strong, beautiful, amazing, women come together and lean on each other without being fake or casting judgement. They were able to be 100 percent who they are -battle scars, wounds, and all- with each other comfortably. That to me alone was amazing to me. It isn't too often you see someone genuinely be themselves without fear like I saw with these women. It was heartwarming to watch Maxine Roca (Momma/Ms. Roca to me :P) create such a comfortable and warm space for them. It even gave me a bit of high school nostalgia but hey, she's always been amazing soul! I could feel the love between them as well as the love they rained on me. 

If you want to be apart of RISE or find out more check out www.bravelyrise.com also make sure you follow there Instagram @bravelyrise to stay updated.

Stay blessed,

Jpeg Zen

Recently I had the opportunity to shoot with the stunning Cionna Roque (@cionnaroque on Instagram.) I have been trying to shoot with her on and off for a long time and finally time had been on our side. Initially i had not planned on shooting Cionna where I did but the location I had picked out was closed when I got there! Now I know for me when a shoot doesn't go smoothly it can feel like the end of the world because your vision is no longer acquirable but the key for me is just to think outside the box and remain positive. Its really important not to get discourage to the point where you no longer enjoy what you're doing because it will reflect in the shoot (at least for me since my emotions are so tied into my art.) I find that when maybe a location doesn't work out or the model needs to be switched last minute the best thing to do is just to stop, relax and remember it's not the end of the shoot, and then look around you for what you can use instead to recreate your vision just in a different way. If there's a will, there's a way! 

Stay positive & stay blessed,

Jpeg Zen

Shooting with Ashley Stuart is always a pleasure for me because of how well we connect and work together. She's a great model and a great friend with a such a bright spirit. Shooting this shoot in particular was amazing to me. It wasn't planned in advanced and mulled over for days like my usual shoots but when Ash texted I couldn't say no and it was nice to just go out and see what we could create with what was around us. We got a chance to catch up and just talk about life, love, even deeper topics like mental health and stepping out of comfort zones. I tried to challenge Ashley to step out of her comfort zone and do somethings differently that she wouldn't always do while shooting. 

We actually met a wonderful woman who Ashley felt she just had to stop and I immediately knew why when the woman looked at us and told us "Remember you always learn something new. Everyday is a lesson." and she was right. Recently life has thrown me curve balls but it was all a lesson so that I could be stronger and makes the steps to get to where I want to be in the future. 

 She asked us both to write down an important lesson we had learned over time. I wrote down "Be blessed then become a blessing to others." because i realize now that every lesson, every day, every experience is a blessing a learning experience and theres nothing better, for me at-least, than turning my blessings into someone else's and it doesn't have to be huge it could be as simple as a blog post or a conversation.

Many Blessings,

JpegZen

p.s make sure you check out her Instagram @ashley.stuart ✨

Yesterday I got the chance to shoot and I haven't had that in a long time. For a while I've just been too bust or too uninspired to really sit and have the time to look for a model, pick a location, style and shoot, and it felt so amazing to be able to get back to my passion. Its been a long time since I've been able to do something for me and it felt great. If where being honest its been such a long time since I've remembered that I come first. A big Big BIG thanks to Kaya (@kayuchie on instagram) for modeling. I actually had a mix up with my original model and Kaya came last minute to shoot with me no questions asked because she's just that amazing! I love working with Kaya because for one she's such a sweet soul and she's not afraid to be weird or move different and play with her body when we shoot and she isn't shy either. She's also got an amazing eye for fashion so be sure to check out her instagram page. 

Many blessings, Zen

Its taken me a long time to finally take the time to sit down and actually make zennphotography.net. I'll be honest, it's taken me quite some time to find a body of work that I actually love enough, or well as in love as any artist can be, to be able to create my site. Im super excited to share my future projects with you guys. Stay golden and visit often!

-Zen

New York City, 2011