Meet Emma Jaye of HeyEmmaJaye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Jaye.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Emma Jaye. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When the lights go down and the speakers start to rumble – it sets my soul on fire. We search our entire lives for our purpose here, but I found mine in the countless venues, tours, hours of editing, the music of the people I love, and the feeling that I get every time that I find myself behind my lens. I am a photojournalist by trade and a rock n’ roll journalist by heart. I get asked so often why I chose the music industry. And the truth is, I didn’t. The music industry chose me.

I was twenty-two years old, raised, and living in Ohio. I had the world at my feet, but I was lost as much as any twenty-something young woman could be. I had changed my major at least three times, changed my job double that and after completely losing myself in a terrible relationship, I was still struggling to figure out who I was as a person. But it was the fall semester at Kent State University, and I was ready to start brand new. I found myself in a visual storytelling class that I was only taking because it was required in my broadcast journalism curriculum. I wasn’t the only student in the class that wasn’t some type of photo major, but I was definitely the only one in class that wanted to throw up when our professor said that we would be completing a full photo story by the end of the semester. It wasn’t the photography part that scared me. I had taken multiple photo classes, and I considered it to be one of my greatest passions. Honestly, photography had saved my life. Because even as I lost myself over the years, I found myself again every time I picked up my camera. That little lens flare of hope happened every single time that I created, without fail. What scared me about the class was finding something that would hold my interest for an entire semester.

But I was raised by a family that loved me and supported me through every chapter of my life and taught me that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to. In the third class, we were given our very first assignment. I had no idea where to begin, but my professor reminded me after class that I should start with something that made me “feel”. The only thing that I could think of at that moment was music. At an early age, my mom (Bobbie Pagan) and I bonded over rock n’ roll music. From listening to albums to going to concerts together, she taught me how to listen to music in a way that most people don’t. In the 80s, she managed heavy metal bands and it was a part of her that was instilled in me. A part of me that I always cherished. So, I asked one of my musician friends if I could swing by his band practice and take some photos. Free photos, right? Obviously, they said yes.

Honestly, I was reluctant to start shooting, but it was now or never. And as the sound started bouncing off of the walls, I found myself doing the same thing. I was composing photos in ways that I had never done before. I did anything that I needed to get the shots that I wanted. Whether it was climbing on top of a couch or laying on the beer-stained ground.  I was captivated by the sound and in the movement. They were so free. There was no direction intended, but the way that they moved with the music was like a cinematic daydream. I was lost in it. I can remember feeling like a fly on the wall that afternoon. Never getting in their way, almost pretending as though I wasn’t there. But I felt exclusive because I was capturing something that their fans never get to see. By the time they were done, dripping sweat and exhausted – I found myself the same way. Anything that I had held onto on the way to that practice was gone. My energy was light again, I was happy again, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere. And my professor confirmed it. On review day, he walked towards my desk and looked at my photos. All he said was “are you kidding me?” At that moment, I knew that I had failed him. I could feel the disappointment in his tone and see the confusion on his face. Until he said, “Emma Jaye… this is what you are meant to do”. As I left class that day, I had tears rolling down my face. I had found something that I not only loved to do and was “good” at, but most importantly it made me feel something that I had never felt before. As soon as I got myself together, I called the guitarist and asked him when I could photograph them again.

This local band became my photo story for the semester. And the faith that my professor had in me went for miles – literally. With his support, I was able to get an academic pass to tour with them down the east coast. It was during that tour where I found my passion for visual storytelling. I was able to see what was left when a concert was over. I was able to capture what tour felt like. And that’s when I realized that I wanted to always be the fly on the wall of green rooms, the secret eyes around the music venues, and the shadow of the artists that I worked with. I wanted to capture the gritty moments that you could only imagine after sleeping in-between states on the floor of their van. Coming home absolutely invigorated, I took a leap of faith and changed my major to photojournalism. Hands down, this was the best decision that I could have made for myself. I was able to learn documentary style photography, interview skills, professional lighting techniques, and most importantly how to adapt to whatever setting, lighting, and subject that I am given. I spent the next few months trying to make a name for myself in the Cleveland music scene and eventually got my start at the famous Agora Theatre and Ballroom. After working there with local bands for a few months, I was able to learn the ropes and make connections. I befriended musicians, crew members, and most importantly a booking and marketing director that had faith in me like my professor did. After months of working for free, I was finally gaining access to larger shows, photographing the headlining bands, and getting paid for what I loved. I was on top of the world – and I had an incredible amount of support from the local music scene. But eventually, I realized that I wanted more.

I finished my senior year of college studying my craft and living in Florence, Italy – where I realized how many opportunities the world had to offer. It was in Florence, where I firmly believe that I began to develop into the best possible version of myself and as an artist. I got the opportunity to photograph everything from an international heavy metal tour to the great faces and places of Europe. When I arrived back home, I realized that I wasn’t meant to stay in one place for too long. With the support of my incredible parents and grandparents – I was able to freelance as a photographer in Ohio. From photographing music to fashion, sports, portraits, and more I was happy. But I knew that it was time to take things to the next level. I booked a month-long tour across America and I never came home (except to pack my things). My creative journey brought me to Arizona. The thrill of being anonymous in a brand new home was enticing and exactly what I needed to step up my game. It took me over a year to get established, and I am still growing as an artist here. Recently, I began contributing my photography to a music magazine in Los Angeles called Screamer Magazine. Working with them has opened my mind and heart up to so many things – including writing live show reviews and interviews. At this point, my love for music, lifestyle, and documentary photography has taken me to places that I had never anticipated and has introduced me to people that have changed my life forever. Photojournalism is my lifeline and the greatest aspiration that I have for my work is to create something that will outlast my existence.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a career in photojournalism is difficult any way that you look at it. It takes long hours, lots of dedication, the fact that you have to work for free sometimes in order to build connections and coming to terms with the reality that you may not always get paid enough to survive. But for me, perspective is everything. When I started my journey in the music industry, I worked retail and landscaping by day and spent my nights working either for money or exposure at concert venues. My first couple of tours were unpaid by money, but I felt rich in experience. As an artist, you often hear the term “exposure doesn’t pay the bills” and although I feel that struggle, I also realize now that it pays off eventually. Unfortunately, that is part of the business, but it makes you a stronger artist and keeps you humble. The music industry may not be as lucrative as it once was and it may be a labor of love, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Like I said before, it’s all about perspective and passion.

But the biggest struggle that I have faced is based on something that I can not control or change – being a woman. Being a woman in the music industry is an uphill battle that I’m determined to win. Nine times out of ten, from the moment that you walk into a venue you are seen differently. There are instances when you are not taken seriously and my “favorite” scenario – when crew/musicians/fans/venue workers question your knowledge of music and photography based on how you look. In this day and age, I never anticipated that my gender would bring me limitations in the workplace. I have lost multiple jobs (especially tours), due to the insecurity of girlfriends and wives who don’t want their significant others working with someone of the opposite sex. Not being seen as a professional can tear you down, but now I see it as a challenge to change their minds. I stay positive, kind, and work harder than ever to prove myself as an artist and as a journalist.

In the beginning, it took a toll on me. I’d step foot into a venue and hear comments about how I dressed, who I was talking to, and how I shot during the live sets. It wore on me so much that I even tried to change the way that I dressed, spoke, and interacted with my clients. Until I realized that being me is what makes me unique in this industry. So now I make it a point to embrace the rock n’ roll culture that I love. I dress like the women who inspired some of the greatest rock songs of all time, I shoot in ways that people don’t understand until they see the final product and I walk with my head held high. Because I have worked so hard to get where I am at and my work will speak for itself.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a photojournalist operating under the business name HeyEmmaJaye. Although I have worked in commercial, fashion, news, and lifestyle photography, I specialize in the music industry. What sets me apart from most is that I truly consider myself a visual storyteller. I firmly believe that everyone has a story to tell, so I strive to shoot for the bigger picture with every client. I provide a list of services from live sets and portraits to 24/7 coverage during a tour. Being professionally trained as a photojournalist helps me stand out because I can adapt to any circumstance, client, or setting. Living abroad in Europe also helps me stand out because international travel changes who you are as a person and as an artist. It truly helps you learn how to think and create outside of the box.

I am most proud of being able to contribute to Screamer Magazine. They have provided me with opportunities that most artists wouldn’t see until much later in their careers. Most importantly, David Castagno convinced me that I was not only a music photographer but that I am a music writer as well. For years writing was something that I kept personal until I was given the opportunity to cover a live show at The Rebel Lounge. After that first publication, I knew that I was right where I was meant to be all along. Dave and the rest of the Screamer team have consistently encouraged me, taught me, and supported me as I navigate through my latest endeavor. I am incredibly grateful and proud to be part of that team!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heyemmajaye.com
• Email: heyemmajaye@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyemmajaye/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heyemmajaye/
• Other: https://screamermagazine.com

Image Credit:
Portrait of Myself – Justin Gamble Photography at The Agora Theater & Ballroom.

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