We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jude Simon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jude below.
Jude , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Growing up in Haiti, life wasn’t easy in so many ways. However, looking back, it feels like every day brought its own set of challenges, whether it was natural disasters, gangs, or Peyi lòk. Despite these hardships, I had to figure out how to overcome them. I didn’t always succeed, but I learned to keep going no matter what. Is that resignation? No, I don’t think so; it’s called resilience.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Jude Simon, and I’m a photographer from Gonaïves, Haiti, with six years of experience in the industry. While Haiti is known to most of the world as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, I wanted to show the full story of its beauty through my camera, a side the media often fails to portray.
In January 2018, I co-founded and launched WeDo Photography alongside some friends, a business serving clientele and the local community in Gonaïves by gathering stories to showcase the strength and dignity of the people here. It’s an endeavor I’m incredibly passionate about and proud of, and I look forward to seeing what continues to unfold through it.
Most recently, however, due to the political insecurity in Haiti, I relocated to the U.S. and am now based in Golden Isles in this next season of life. I’m excited to continue to grow and expand my photography business, and I am now booking portraits, weddings, and events.
There is one project I’m super excited about called ‘pretty&old portrait. I was inspired by the remarkable journey of my 85-year-old grandmother facing the challenge of dementia. I’ve come to understand that true beauty transcends age. In her forgetfulness, I found courage; in her wisdom, I found the essence of true elegance. ‘Pretty and old’ intertwine to form a tapestry of stories, wisdom, and resilience.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back and continuously learning, I recognize that the three most important qualities in my journey are passion, resilience, and creativity. However, as a creative, I needed to pair passion with discipline. Though I was passionate about photography, I struggled with maintaining discipline. Consistency, I discovered, accompanies discipline. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of structure and routine in nurturing my creative endeavors. By cultivating discipline, I’ve found myself able to channel my passion more effectively, leading to greater consistency in my work and ultimately enhancing my creative output. My advice to fellow photographers is to embrace discipline as a friend rather than a foe. Establishing a consistent workflow and committing to regular practice not only refines your technical skills but also allows your creativity to flourish. Remember, it’s the dedication to your craft that sets you apart and paves the way for success in the ever-evolving world of photography.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
One of the biggest challenges is the fact that I’m away from home. I’m separated from my family, my fiancée, my friends, and my team. In my photography work, I’m accustomed to collaborating with a team. However, at the moment, I find myself fulfilling multiple roles—I’m not just the photographer, but also the editor, the social media manager, and more. Nevertheless, I’m learning to develop better strategies to overcome these challenges.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Heyjude_photog or judemmanuels
- Facebook: Jude Simon
Image Credits
Jude Simon
