Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaycen Brooks.
Hi Jaycen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My love for photography started when my mom got her first portable cannon camera. I have 3 siblings, so when she got the camera I would take photos of my siblings and have them pose and such using nature as my background, For my 15th birthday, my mom bought me my own first camera and that’s when it really started getting into it more. When I started my senior year of high school, I was a part of the yearbook and journalism classes, which helped me to realize it was something that was not just a hobby but something that I truly loved and that I could do as much as I wanted to. My first introduction to drag, which is what my photography is most known for in the Savannah area, was when I was living in Iowa and my ex-girlfriend took me to see my first drag show I have been in such awe and respect for the craft ever since. I grew up in a very strict Christian house, where boundaries, especially regarding sex and queer ideas were discouraged; when I found my love for boudoir and burlesque photography it was something that broadened my skills immensely. I moved to Savannah 3 years ago, and since then, I have had my own photography show, which was a transgender boudoir series, have taken photos for many pride events and other events held at or around Club One and as well as Savannah Comic Con,
Alright, 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?
It definitely has not been easy growing up in a super religious family, most of the photography work that I do nowadays my family does not approve of. When I first started photography, they were extremely supportive and now it’s something that they disprove of.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the proudest of the community I have met, especially when it comes to the queer individuals I have either shot photos of them performing or just for a traditional photoshoot; I stand out because I do my best to have my photography centered around the lgbtq as someone who is both bisexual as well as a transgender male. I have met so many wonderful individuals and I am constantly creating art with them, and it is truly a blessing. I am most known for my drag and burlesque photography, which I have been doing for over the past 5 years, and for the last 3 have been in Savannah; I am also known for my Pulling Away the Curtain photo series, which I showcased during Savannah’s Pride month, I am also slowly becoming known for my fashion as well as my boudoir photography which are some huge passions of mine. Not many queer people especially transgender individuals are able to have photos taken in a way that celebrates their bodies as well as shows how beautiful their bodies are, that is my favorite part of being a photographer.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am very much known for risk-taking; for one example, drag has been more and more attacked openly with my supporting and showing my photos of many drag performers. I like to test the boundaries of social media on what is okay to post on social media, especially Instagram. I want more people to have their minds open and have more exposure to things that I was told were sinful to show people that they are not. I want people to celebrate human bodies exactly as they are; I want more exposure to queer individuals, queer love, and body positivity as well as the creative forms of burlesque and drag, with a little kink thrown in there as well. I want my body of work to show people that they don’t need to hide who they are or what they do.
Pricing:
- My usual rate is $250 an hour but as I said I want my photos to be accessible to anyone who wants to shoot with me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondyouportraits/ and https://www.instagram.com/beyondyouphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005975747017
Image Credits
Influenza Muller
Ella Mentary
Edna Allen Hoe
Storm
Sam and Kenny
Dax Exclamation Point
Sofia Beck
Malaysia Babydoll Fox
Elisabeth Harvey
James Stone
Sybil Nixx,
Lyssa
Kazimir Skye
Hannah
Ginger Darling
Sadhira Sol
Trista Cottrell
Maurice
King Perka Sexxxx
Prommy
Sapphire
Corbin Monoxide
Kim the Dancing Fool
