We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Shaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.
Jasmine, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
Some of the key elements I focus on for self-care and self-love include centering and aligning my physical and emotional well-being while also listening to what I need mentally and physically.
When it comes to the physical aspect of self-care, I am proud of cultivating a consistent, healthy routine over the past year that emphasizes connecting my mind and body. I have incorporated Yoga and gentle Pilates into my routine, even if it’s just 5–10 minutes of stretching. Engaging with my body and mind, no matter how briefly, makes a world of difference. There’s something profoundly grounding about listening to my breath and moving slowly and intentionally—especially in contrast to the fast-paced demands of the world. This practice allows me to block out external distractions and be fully present with myself.
For emotional self-care, I’ve been focusing on tuning into my emotions and asking myself what I truly need in moments of stress, unease, or struggle. During challenging times, people often overlook the root cause of their stress, focusing only on external circumstances instead of looking inward. I also make a conscious effort to celebrate moments of success, happiness, and joy, no matter how small or big. Recognizing and validating my experiences and feelings, as well as trusting my intuition, has been key to nurturing true self-care.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a passionate creative based in Brooklyn, NY, with a diverse background in the creative industry. My work spans various disciplines, including design, social media, art directing photo shoots, producing photo documentary film series, and capturing beauty products just for fun! I fell in love with photography and the creative world at a very young age and have continued to use my creative outlets as a means of self-expression. From designing beauty product content to creating fine art documentary projects, I enjoy telling visually compelling stories, connecting with my subjects’ narratives, and advocating for their experiences. Evoking emotions and sparking meaningful conversations with my audience through any form of my art truly motivates me and brings me immense fulfillment.
Currently, I’m thrilled to focus on growing my photography passions and businesses.
One of these ventures is a new collaboration with my friend Rachel Malkin, a talented makeup artist. Together, we’ve launched a portrait and headshot business that combines professional makeup services with my photography—all in one package. Whether you’re looking to update your headshots for a website or revamp your Instagram profile, we’ve got you covered. You can book us for any of your portrait needs!
The other business I’m excited to continue growing is my product photography. During the pandemic, I started photographing beauty products in my basement using cardboard boxes and parchment paper. Over time, I built an online presence on Instagram on my account called @glowtease through product photography, which eventually led to collaborations with brands to create content for their social media pages and even contribute to launching products in Sephora!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One area of expertise that has significantly helped me along my journey is understanding the basics and fundamentals of my work and passions. Once you grasp the core principles of any skill or field, you become more flexible and adaptable within it. I’m often asked questions like, “What is your favorite camera?” or “Which company’s equipment do you prefer when shooting?” and while I acknowledge that lenses and equipment play a role, having a solid foundation in the basics allows you to create great results regardless of the tools available, making you adaptable in any situation.
When I started my journey, I worked with cardboard boxes and homemade light stands. Despite the lack of fancy equipment, I achieved my desired results because I had a strong understanding of lighting and camera techniques. High-end gadgets and tools are wonderful, but they aren’t necessary to reach your goals if you know the basics and fundamentals.
Being kind and empathetic is another value I prioritize—not just when working with my subjects, but also with clients and everyone on set. Creating a safe space and showing kindness can go a long way in building meaningful personal and professional relationships.
Lastly, as cliché as it sounds—try new things! Exploring new outlets of creativity, whether within your field or entirely outside your comfort zone, can be incredibly rewarding. While I love and will continue my product photography journey, this past year I ventured into portrait photography. That experiment led my friend and me to start a portraiture business, combining my love of photography with the joy of connecting with new people. Trying new things not only keeps your mind sharp and adaptable but can also uncover unexpected opportunities and new passions!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Dealing with overwhelm is a recurring and popular topic among my friends and this generation, which comes as no surprise given the current state of our world. The world can be unpredictable, and navigating its ups and downs can be challenging. While I’m not perfect at managing overwhelm, I’m proud of the strategies I’ve developed to navigate these emotions.
One key aspect of dealing with overwhelm is recognizing and identifying my emotions. Often, a single emotion can mask others or trigger a cascade of feelings. By pausing and “dropping into” my emotions, I can better understand what I’m truly feeling. Overwhelm can be the overarching emotion, while fear or sadness might be the underlying cause. This self-awareness helps me untangle the layers of overwhelm.
On a physical level, I rely on practices like yoga, slow and gentle body movements, meditation, and intentional breathing. Processing my emotions through physical activity helps me ground myself, tune into how my body feels, and stay present. At times, I may need more intense physical movement, while other times, something as simple as a breathing exercise suffices. These practices calm my nervous system and provide clarity, allowing me to focus on the task at hand.
Another strategy I use is writing. Journaling provides a physical and visual outlet to explore and organize my thoughts. If I face a difficult decision or feel stuck, which can lead to overwhelm, I write down the different paths I could take, listing the pros and cons of each. I also note how I feel emotionally about each option, paying attention to my gut reactions. Additionally, writing out the worst-case scenario and contrasting it with the best-case scenario helps keep things in perspective. Physically mapping out my thoughts allows me to weigh my options and find clarity amid uncertainty.
Lastly, self-compassion plays a crucial role in managing overwhelm. It’s easy to fall into the trap of negative self-talk or harsh criticism when things feel unmanageable. Instead, I remind myself that I’m doing my best. Being gentle and kind to myself is far more productive and empowering than beating myself up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jasmineshaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowtease
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