Belinda Green, owner and lead photographer at BB Jaxson Photography hit the ground running five years ago beginning her artistic journey in the world of photography.  Being selected as one of the photographers for Season 10 of Married at First Sight on TLC gave her a crash course in high speed focused styled photography on a set where anything could happen and she needed magazine worthy portraits without fail. Her purpose for photography now is to spend much of her time creating new ideas  that center around empowering women, femininity and self-love. In a world where there is much darkness she strives to be a light using the art of photography as a canvas.   She also has published some personal poetry, children’s stories and short plays and continues to feed her creative energies by experimenting with all types of expressive portraits.  The HER* Project in 2023 is an example of how she is using her fashion photography to spread a message of hope and healing.  The project focused on eight women survivors of abuse, addiction and emotional duress to help raise awareness.  

"I consider myself a thinker, creator and sensitive soul –desperately seeking beauty in all things.  The thrill of working hard and seeing colorful results that speak to people and bring smiles is what drives me forward to continue photography.  I often like to simply take my camera alone early in the morning and capture nature at its newest moments.  This time alone in nature refreshes my introverted heart and gives me a new perspective" says Belinda Green.

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Moevir Magazine March Issue 2024 featured edition

[Love and Flowers]

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2733745

Creative Director/Photographer: Belinda Green @bbjaxsonphotography

Photographer: Bb Jaxson Photography @bbjaxsonphotography

Female Model: Erin Wilson | Kara June @kara_june1

Wardrobe Stylist: Thriftjunkeez @thriftjunkeez

Model: Liz | Jesse Betz

Model: Michelle Dyro @dyroma | Molly Shea @molshe | Mads Mayer @maddie_mayer

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What inspired you to become a fashion photographer, and how did you get your start in the industry?

As a little girl I found myself constantly creating something imaginary.  Whether it be writing stories, songs, forts or costumes I was all about it.  About eight years ago I was working in a big firm with a big serious job.  It was sucking the life out of me and I ended up in the hospital  as a result.  This was not who I wanted to be or who I was born to be and I knew it.  During that same time period I suffered a great loss that threw me into a deep depression.  I spend so much time alone wondering what there was to live for anymore.  Each morning I would watch the sunrise and ask God to show me something, anything.  

I was searching for any beauty left in my world.  One morning I realized it was right there in front of me every morning.  The sun rose every morning.  There was the hope, the beauty and my beginning in photography.  I decided to begin photographing sunrises as therapy for myself and eventually began sharing my images with others on social media.  People eventually requested of me to do sessions with them and so I did.  I created a website and launched a business seeking beauty in all things.  Five years later and I am still loving creating and empowering women through fashion, play and imagination. Grateful is the word that most describes my career now.  

What do you believe sets your work apart from other fashion photographers, and how do you continually strive to innovate and push boundaries?

My desire to empower women through photography stems from a deep place inside me that was broken.  My goal is to show each client that steps in as a model their beauty.  It is personal for me.  I want to allow people to feel uninhibited, relaxed, gorgeous in their own skin and smiling when they leave me.  I am continuing my photographic education  to learn new concepts with light, shadow and color and hope to begin pushing my boundaries even further into the world of fashion photography.

In your opinion, what are the most important qualities for a successful fashion photographer to possess, and how do you cultivate those qualities in yourself?

I believe a fashion photographer first and foremost must have a clear vision.  If you are to style, photograph and direct models and clients, it is important for them to trust your process.  For me, I want my leaders to be strong and give me directions that feel confident and guided towards a goal.  I try to be this during each and every session no matter how big or small.

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in fashion photography, and what role do they play in your work?

Staying up-to-date with the latest trends and tech can be a complicated job.  Everything changes all the time.  I watch, read and participate in as much fashion innovation as possible hoping that something creative will hatch in my brain from the inspiration of other artists.

Can you share a particularly challenging shoot you've worked on, and how you overcame any obstacles or creative blocks?

I believe the most challenging shoot I’ve worked on was the set of Married at First Sight (TLC Network).  The individuals were separated and had not met and yet were getting married on set, seeing each other for the first time.  My job was to get genuine emotion and hopefully affection between them.  The tricky part was they were strangers to each other.  I was happy to see that when she walked down the aisle he lit up and there was immediate physical attraction between them.  

For me, this felt like my job was going to be fine.  However, the director informed me directly after the ceremony that I had 15 minutes to create an affectionate wedding session between them.  A crew followed us down the streets of Georgetown, DC and the heat was on.  I was under a microscope of onlookers wondering how on earth I was to accomplish the goal.  Then I remembered my Dad’s method.  Talk to them.  Do not show fear, show charm, humor and be relaxed to anyone looking.  So that’s exactly what I did. I asked them questions while I photographed them.  Cracked a few jokes and gave clear direction.  The photographs were printed in People and InStyle magazines.  It was a success!

How do you balance commercial demands with your personal artistic vision, and what do you believe is the role of commercial fashion photography in the industry?

I have always marched by a little offbeat drum and not usually pushed into a box of conformity.  Meaning that when I have an idea I simply go for it without feeling pressure from commercial demands.  

What advice would you give to aspiring fashion photographers who are just starting out in the industry?

Firstly, begin and keep going.  If you have it in your heart to create fashion photography, use everything you have to make it a part of who you are.  Create what you like.  Create what makes you smile.  If you are making art that brings you and your clients joy, then keep doing it.  Learn from others.  Make friends who can sharpen you and you back to them.  

In your opinion, what is the most rewarding aspect of being a fashion photographer, and what keeps you motivated and passionate about your work?

The most rewarding aspect of being a fashion photographer is seeing a simple creative idea being brought to life and documented.  I love it when my clients step into their makeup and costumes and feel special, beautiful and a part of something different than the day to day.  It is symbiotic.  I love it.

How do you approach working with models, and what do you believe are the most important factors in establishing a successful working relationship?

I love meeting new people and most of the time my models are, at first, strangers to me.  My approach is simple.  We are partners in this creation.  If they have a suggestion or idea we talk it through to see if it would take our session to another level.  By the end of the session we are usually laughing and planning another creative collaboration. 

Can you speak to the role of social media and digital platforms in the world of fashion photography, and how they have impacted the industry?

Social media and digital platforms have created a platform where we can see fashion, artists, and other creatives from all over the world at the touch of our phones and laptops.  We are exposed to ideas influenced by other cultures and those cultures can then be mixed into others birthing an entirely new creative fashion trend.  The ideas are literally limitless. 

How do you balance your personal life with your demanding career, and what strategies do you use to maintain your creative energy and avoid burnout?

 This is a difficult question.  I struggle to rest and love to work.  Each year I tell myself that this is the year I learn to rest more but an idea, project or proposition to work presents itself and kaboom I am working again!  To maintain creative energy and avoid burnout I meditate each morning and sit in quiet, exercise and move my body, look for ways I can use my photography to help my community and write poetry.  One day I plan to take an entire month off and do nothing.  One day…

How do you handle constructive criticism and feedback, and what do you believe is the best way to grow and improve as a photographer?

Criticism for anyone in the artistic world can be a slippery slope.  We tend to be a little softer in heart and sensitive.  At least I know I am.  Constructive criticism however is a very able tool that can push us to observe and push harder.  The best way to grow and improve in anything we do is to be open to feedback and willing to take a step back and determine if something needs to change.  

How do you approach creating a narrative or telling a story through your fashion photography, and what role do themes and concepts play in your work?

I love storytelling and often my sessions are developed around a character or story I have in mind.  Storytelling helps develop the characters seen in the images.  Who they are to the world, what they would wear, walk  or do their hair.  I believe storytelling helps make a fashion session more genuine and authentic.