Meet Jackie Merida

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Merida.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am the youngest of 7 children, the introvert. Photography has always been a great passion for me. I picked up my first camera in my teen years, although I don’t remember, my parents say as a toddler I would walk around pretending to take pictures of everyone with their cameras. I think a lot of my creativity came from my dad. He’s a man of many trades, he can build almost anything without hesitation. My logo for my brand actually has a picture of my dad in my name. It’s a picture of him in Guatemala in 1978, 40 years ago. He’s on a beach taking photos of tourists on a Polaroid camera and selling the prints back to them. I guess photography runs in me. As a kid, I remember he would sit in the backyard and just watch the sun go down and the stars appear. At the time I had no idea what we were looking at but I’d sit there and stare too. Now, I can’t get enough of the sunsets and night skies. Birds flying are mesmerizing, the formations of trees, every twist and turn of a branch , the colors of leaves, the smell of rain, the sound of thunder, the warmth of a sunrise, my inspiration comes from all things earth. I was two months shy of my 21st first birthday when I had my first child, Aaron. The moment I had him my life changed, and so did my inspiration source. He became the source of all things. I wanted to capture everything he did. From his long pianist like fingers, to those giant feet. I took so many pictures my memory cards were on the brink of explosions.

I have never been an outgoing person, I’m quiet and keep to myself. Starting a photography business was a huge step for me. I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression since my teen years. My anxiety always presented itself in its darkest form in social environments so meeting new people was a huge stress for me. Thankfully I have a husband who is the complete opposite of me, he can talk to anyone about anything. He pushed me and encouraged me to pursue photography. He was and still is my biggest supporter. He’s honest and blunt, something I had to learn to admire and need. He gifted me my first camera and promised to help me every step of the way, and he did just that. For the first almost year of my photography career he went with me to every photo shoot, baby in tow. At the time I started to pursue photography my husband and I were broke. Broke in every sense of the word. The first shoots I did them for free, I had no idea anyone would want to pay me for my work. I slowly started to put pricing on the shoots. In my first year of starting I had a contest every month and would give away one shoot to someone, I did this for over a year. This gave me the opportunity to learn more, experience new things and put my creativity to use.

Slowly people started to come to me more and more. People from all walks of life. I was improving and becoming confident in my work. Spring of 2015 I became pregnant with my second child, a tenacious baby girl. My pregnancy was life changing and had a huge negative impact on my photography. I had no energy and was always sick. I started doing less and less shoots. Throughout my pregnancy I almost died because of how sick I was, even at the birth I was on the brink of death. December of 2015 I gave life to my second, Lucy. The inspiration that flowed through me when I had her was the jolt I needed to kick my career into high gear. I was more excited than ever to get back to what I love doing. My clientele expanded to near and far places. I worked with familiar faces and new ones. I was confident in my work.

It’s been almost 5 years since the gift of that camera and here I am, continuing to do exactly what I love. Its hard being a mom of 2, wife and photographer but it all works in a beautiful way. I get to work from home and do something that I absolutely love. I wear my heart on my sleeves and translate emotions into beautiful images.

Please tell us about your art.
I create timeless pieces of art by capturing special moments in my client’s lives. From the very first days of life of a newborn baby to 5 generations of amazing Arizona families. I have a pretty awesome way of achieving these pictures, I talk with my clients. We talk throughout the shoot and get to know each other. I’ve cried with my clients, I’ve cried for my clients. I’ve shared some good laughs, awkward moments, inspiring moments. The stories I hear from them are inspiring. So many stories and faces I’ve gotten to meet. Stories of sorrow, love, loss, happiness, difficulties, beginnings, endings. I can relate to so many of my clients.

What I hope people take away from my work is the feelings felt at the time I captured it. I want my work to be so heartfelt that when you see it you feel and hear the sounds in the image. The sound of a creek under the feet of a gorgeous mom to be cradling her belly, the sweet smell of baby posing so peacefully in her sleep. The warmth of an embrace, a kiss, a laugh. Feel the breeze from the couple kissing at the top of a hill, feel the love of a newlywed couple, listen to the laughs of parents tickling their little ones.

What people should know about my work is that it is a part of me. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of representing myself in my work. I love all things light and all things dark. I can create a breathtaking photo of a 9 day old baby sleeping on a bed of flowers and then take a dark soulful image in a magic forest. My work represents me and the emotions I feel with my clients. Tenderness, love, laughter, silliness all things I take away from my clients. I feed off of my client’s energy during sessions and implement that into my work.

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
It can be. It’s hard to believe that anyone can think like you but there is plenty of us who think and visualize alike. I would suggest talking to other artist, we’re everywhere. Connecting on social media sites, art events. It’s hard at first but once you find someone who can be creative with you, it’ll be such a joy!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work is all over the place, people’s homes, doctors’ offices, social media accounts. The majority of my work can be found on my Instagram page. I’m the most active there since I find it more interactive that other social media networks.

Anybody can support my work by simply liking my work, admiring it and booking with me. I love meeting new people almost every day. I encourage people to support all artists, from the beginners to the veterans.

Contact Info:

• Address: Laveen, AZ
• Phone: 602 820 6702
• Email: capturedbyjackie@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/capturedbyjackie
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/capturedbyjackie

Image Credit:
Personal photo by Felipe Valdez

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