Photographer Jamie Lihan shares the story behind her unique career journey
In the middle of the ceremony of our dear friends Patrick and Nathalie’s wedding in 2012, I saw a fellow part of the entourage, clad in her blush pink dress, get up from her seat and move to the side of the pew. Jamie Lihan, armed with her camera, couldn’t help but capture special moments.
For a second time, I witnessed Jamie’s prowess firsthand during the engagement shoot of my college best friend Kristine and her then-fiancé Jaryd in Singapore in 2013. Despite the couple unexpectedly getting drenched in rainwater, Jamie’s creativity shone through. She transformed what could have been a setback into a series of stunning photos, each soaked in the raw emotions of the moment.
At this time, Jamie has already carved her place in the Philippine photography scene as part of the sought-after Mayad Studios. She modestly prefers to be known for her work behind the lens. An alumna of Ateneo de Manila University, Jamie’s academic journey is marked by excellence, from being a dean’s lister in her undergraduate degree in Management Engineering minor in Economics to becoming a gold medalist in the MBA program at Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
It’s been 17 years since Jamie ventured into wedding photography, a journey that has since expanded to include corporate, family, and even animal photography. Her foray into the art form began serendipitously in her final term at university, prompted by a professor in a drawing and painting elective who saw her potential and recommended a photography workshop at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
“It was a six-day thing, but it redirected my life to where it is now,” she happily shared.
For Jamie, photography is more than a job, it’s a calling. She enthused, “I enjoy it. People see my works’ worth and I feel appreciated so somehow it affirms my purpose. Projects are nonstop. Plus, it was more fun to shoot and travel than to be stuck in the office or the classroom–that’s why I gave up–or should I say, put on a long hold–teaching Applied Mathematics and Managerial Statistics in Ateneo Graduate School of Business.”
Her journey has taken her to breathtaking locales, from the intimate settings of weddings to the wild expanses of a safari – a dream that came true for her in August 2023. It was a beautiful manifestation for someone who once aspired to be a National Geographic photographer.
“I love that my subjects trust me to see the beauty in them and immortalize those split-second moments somehow. Also, I love that I get to travel and see God’s beautiful creation in person. I get to capture a perspective that I deem beautiful,” Jamie heartfully shared. “I also love that the attention isn’t on me because I am behind the camera. And yet, I get to show people my perspective of them in the hopes of moving them to appreciate the moment, and be grateful.”
within every photo
Asked how she would describe her style, Jamie responded, “Grateful. It’s a weird way of describing it.”
She views her style as one of gratitude, seeing it as a discipline that allows her to express and share the beauty of the moment.
“The beauty that I capture is not of vanity, but of gratitude–because it moves me to be grateful for the moment–with the hopes of moving the “audience” to be grateful as well,” Jamie added.
Jamie’s favorite part of a wedding is the moment she finds herself crying with the couple, their families, or their friends. “While still shooting of course,” she laughingly said. “It is in these moments that I, too, am overwhelmed by the love they have for each other.”
Yet, the path of a photographer is not without its challenges, from dealing with uncooperative weather to navigating the complexities of human emotions and wedding day timelines.
Despite these obstacles, Jamie’s advice to aspiring photographers is simple, “Go for it if it’s truly in your heart to photograph. It doesn’t matter what camera you use. Just shoot! Talent will find its way beyond your gear. You develop a heart yearning for more, to be excellent, to be passionate. It builds that character in you. Plus, that seed of passion isn’t in your heart for nothing.”
Navigating a male-dominated industry, Jamie has not only found her place but has thrived, using her unique perspective to her advantage.
“I do not feel the discrimination. I even feel it is an advantage to be a girl because my shy brides express that they are more comfortable with a girl photographer,” Jamie explained. “They are more relaxed and therefore less stiff when photographed. Also, it’s a plus for me that I can joke with the dads of the brides to smile more naturally. Brides love to see their dads smile and not be too stiff.”
Reflecting on her career, Jamie’s story is not just about the photographs she takes, but the journeys she embarks on, the lives she touches, and the moments of pure, unadulterated joy she captures. Hers is a story of a woman who chose to follow her heart and celebrate her wins, leading her to a life of purpose through her lens.
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