Who’s ready to get to know the lovely lady behind the camera, JaQuayla Cameron-Hodge, Owner and Photographer with J.Cameron Photography! Keep reading to find out why JaQuayla’s best tip for you to know is that, “The Queen is never late”.
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If you care to share, how did you get to where you are now? I started getting into photography during my last year of high school after going to Guatemala with my church. I was fascinated with just how much photographer crosses so many barriers and tells so many stories. It’s a pretty foundational part of why I love being a photographer now. I kept up with just doing photography as a hobby throughout college and started shooting with other photographers and it eventually led to me doing weddings of my own.
What makes you or your business stand out and why should a couple hire you? I find that I want to make myself available and be a resource. I love to give recommendations and I’m available as a soundboard. I also really like to laugh and have a good time – so I seek to make sure that my couples have a good time too. I think what makes my business stand out is that I can make my clients feel valued and secure.
What’s your favorite thing about working in the wedding industry? I just love meeting new couples and their families. I love all the details and the creativity. I get really excited about wedding details.
What’s a unique tip you tell your couples? “The Queen is never late.”I promise this isn’t me saying to not consider the time haha, but that on their wedding day, the concern of the time falls on the team of vendors that they hired and trusted to help keep things moving forward to make their day go smoothly (this is also because I know that I like to create buffers in a timeline). Often times I’ve noticed that stress leads to delays and the last thing you want is for my couple to be stressed.
What’s your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding? Delegate early and delegate often.
Hire a Planner, or at least a Day of Coordinator that will not only be a useful tool in bringing your vision to life, but is also great with working with your other vendors.
What’s your favorite moment during a wedding? The last touch of the bride getting into her dress. It’s like everything sits still for a while. Because the moment that she spent so long preparing for is finally there.
How do you de-stress? It definitely depends on the day! I like to at least try doing something creative/visual. So I’ll play a video game sometimes, other times I may bake or “poorly” try to knit.
What’s your favorite food/dish/cuisine? I love a good NY Style Pizza. But I really… really… really love ice cream. Vanilla Swiss Almond is my favorite.
If you were to meet any celebrity, who would it be? Will Smith and Derrick Rose.
What would your perfect Saturday be like? If I want to stay in, probably bundled up in a blanket and watch tv or play a video game that I can beat. If I want to go out, I think a road trip to a landmark or spending some time at a museum and getting food.
What are your top three favorite movies (or books)? I’ll do two movies and a book! The Lion King, Antwone Fisher, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
What’s a fun or unusual fact about you? I’ve hiked an active volcano before
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on now? I’m trying to learn how to make really nice cocktails! I took a small bartending class this summer just for the fun of it and it’s been kind of cool to learn more about the culinary part of it.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? I don’t think I have an actual favorite. But I really do enjoy going to orchestra concerts over anything else.
Do you love to travel? If so, what are some must-see destinations? I do. Anguilla is beautiful. I think everyone should visit at least once. Paris is also really great too. Charleston, SC is also one of my favorite places to visit.
Do you have a pet? Yes! I have a Giant Schnauzer, Huan. He’s such a ruckus. Super happy and friendly but also a jerk at the same time lol. I’ve been slapped in the face or had my computer pushed across the bed a few times if I wasn’t giving him enough attention haha. Right now he’s at the age where everything is a community event. Pair that with the fact that he absolutely LOVES the winter, he wants us outside with him ALL. THE. TIME. otherwise, he’s going to go on what we call a “vacation” and run out of the yard to explore.
What is your favorite season of the year and why? Spring. It’s when the days get warmer and longer and my birthday is in April. I also love Cherry Blossoms and they usually peak around my birthday too so it’s always a beautiful and joyful time. I’m not sure why I’ve never gone to a Cherry Blossom festival, but I really do want to go one day.
What’s your favorite family tradition? I think my favorite has to be trying to find the cheapest & best Christmas tree. My family has always been pretty busy and sometimes we’ve always had the best intentions of getting a tree earlier in the month of December, but just never seemed to get around to it. One year we waited til the last minute scrambling around and ended up getting a REALLY nice tree for free. Ever since then it kind of ended up being what we decided to do. Some years we’d get one for $30, others for $5. It’s always a fun (and slightly stressful) bonding experience
Email: Jcameronphotos@gmail.com
Website: http://www.jcameronphoto.com
Instagram:@Jcameronphotography
