Photography By JayDex

J. Holiday

admin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:51:27 +0000

Recently was contacted to do a photo shoot for recording artist J. Holiday.. Check out some of what we were able to accomplish.

Anti Flash..

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 04:20:22 +0000

Check out the photo shoot we did for a client over the weekend. Typical lifestyle photo shoot. No flash. No controlled environments. All natural.

1 Hour Video

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 23:00:13 +0000

I recently had the opportunity of working with one of the DMV’s hottest acts, Nike Nando. We somehow managed to pick the coldest day of the winter to shoot, but we were able to pull off a dope visual in less than 40 min. This visual also slaps the face of the perfectionist. #antiperfection

Tamika “Love” Jones – Dumb Love (Full Video)

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:52:50 +0000

If I had to pick one video to describe my style, this would be it. My style relates to human nature, overexposed sky’s, and is based upon textures as opposed to the actual subject. I believe closer is better than farther away. My main focus is not on the subject, but what is behind the subject. What I strive for is to get inside someone and have them come out in the photograph / video. I don’t think I get there often, but when I do, it’s a hit.

Here is the Tamika “Love” Jones video we produced a little while back. Enjoy:

Promo or Full?

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:34:56 +0000

Being a self proclaimed Director of Photography in the DC area, I’m always asked, “Yo! What you charge?” questions often. To help determine their needs, I first ask if they’re interested in a promo video or full video? I’ve been in the promo vs. full debate numerous times – which one is more effective? If you think about it, you will watch a video once, on average (if you even make it through the whole video). If the video and song is dope, you might watch it twice, and then do an email blast to your friends so they can check it out… but wouldn’t you do the same for a promo?

First, let’s define the two…

Promo video – this is a video that can be shot in an hour tops. The objective is to introduce the artist and to give the viewer a small taste of what the artist has to offer. Typically, this video would be a verse and hook, or just a 16 – 24 bar freestyle. Nothing crazy, and little to no budget is needed. It’s just enough to get the viewer to want to do more research. Less is more, right?

Full video – this can be a lot more intimidating in the sense that the artist could have an idea that is hard to capture on a limited budget. More often than not, this request can range from 3 – 5 mins. This translates in to longer shoot times and longer editing sessions. Because of the effort that has to be put in on both sides, this could cost the artist a lot more money, as it will cost the “video guy” more time to shoot and edit.

Thus, I pose these questions: Is a full video worth it? Are we putting more time and effort into a project that could be done in half the time, and will have the same effect? With the short attention span of the viewer, and the overwhelming amount of online content available, is someone going to sit down and look at a whole video of a person they hardly know?

My preference is promo video over full video. It’s easy on both parties and it’s the quicker method to building an online presence. Sure, after so many promo videos, people will be requesting full videos from the artist, but it’s good to leave people wanting more. More demand = MORE SUCCESS!

Below are a couple of recent promo videos i’ve shot:

CHAMPIONS

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:28:31 +0000

I was introduced to this group through a friend. After going back and forth about concepts and dates, we were finally able to link on what could have been the nicest day of the fall. The idea for this video was to just capture compelling visuals that matched the dopeness of the track… nothing more. This was so easy to accomplish and I had the edits to them the very next day!

BEHAVIOR IS BLIND

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:08:05 +0000

Yet another awesome experience with the homie, Muyudeen ALharazim, and crew. The timing was perfect in so many ways, and the acting crew, drafted by Muyudeen, was amazing! Look out for more work from him and I soon!

“KWESS BE THE NAME”

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:39:23 +0000

I have to admit, I was a little nervous going into this video because the first project Kwess and I worked on was a classic (to some standards). Therefore, we felt it would be best to approach this project with the same mindset, which was making it up as we went along. We had an idea of the first location, but that was about it. At the last minute, we decided to add a little more flavor by capturing some live looks at his show that night. I feel this video holds its own and competes with the one we shot earlier this year… check it out!

KELOW

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:27:46 +0000

It’s not too often I do photo shoots with everyone requesting videos, but recently I was asked to do a shoot for rap artist “Kelow” and jumped at the opportunity. The shoot involved a couple of outside locations, along with a studio (backdrop/flash) shoot. Here Kelow’s music here. Check out the images!

Dana Dana

admin — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:13:43 +0000

I’ve been working with Dana on a series of projects. This past weekend we linked up to do a video to promote her upcoming album. Check out what we were able to accomplish.

No Woman, No Cry from John Ledbetter on Vimeo.