Spotlight

Jasmine Archie

December 17, 2020

Jasmine Archie is a Nashville native and based in Austin. The eclectic mind behind her photos brings a fresh, bold, and delicate style to the scene. Featured work and clients include The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Hollywood Reporter, Refinery29, Texas Monthly, Galore Mag, Outdoor Voices, Surface Mag, Notion, Milk.xyz, Ritual, Kin Euphorics, Ranch Rider Spirits Co., Who What Wear, Gusher Mag, Hypebae, VFiles, Local Wolves, Moxi Mag, Portion Mag, Warner Bros, and Recess Inc.

Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do?

My name is Jasmine Archie. I’m a photographer living in Austin, TX.

How did your interest in photography begin?

When I was young, I loved taking photos and always had a camera in hand. When I got to high school, they offered a photography class, and I decided to try it out! I fell in love with photography during my senior year. It consumed me and I started my business that year.

Photograph of a red-haired white feminine person outside. They wear a pastel pink cowboy hat, their hair is in braids, and they have on a fur coat, which has a fur color, shoulders, and the rest is a suede material. There are also white tassels of brushed out hair visible. Behind them are sky scrapers and a partly cloudy sky.

Describe your photographic process.

I shoot digital and film. So I usually have my typical setup and a reflector with me. When I shoot outside, I use my reflector most of the time. It gives me my signature look!

What role do you feel photography plays in the music industry today?

I feel it plays an important part in the tying of everything together. When you see the album/single artwork, it evokes an emotion that enhances the music that much more!

Can you talk about your video collaboration with Notte jewelry?

I reached out to Notte a while back because I loved their jewelry and wanted to collab. I was very inspired to make a video when I received the jewelry, and my partner and I just went out in the front yard and took some clips, and that’s what we got 🙂

Photograph of a black woman, with braids and freckled skin in the sunlight. Her left eye is painted red, her right blue, with stars above it. Her hair is done in a box braided style. Green bushes and foliage are visible behind her.
Salem Mitchell for Showup2108.

How do you feel about the use of Instagram in your photography and the photo world at large?

Instagram is the biggest tool for photographers. I have a love/hate relationship with it. It’s so amazing that we (creatives) can use it to spread our work to the world. It can also get very frustrating at times, and it becomes very hard not to compare.

How does living and working in Austin and Nashville impact your work?

I’m originally from Nashville and live in Austin now. I go back home every few months to work and see family. Living in these places has very much impacted my work. I feel as if there are some “country” aspects of my photography. I also feel having lived in Nashville I got all 4 different seasons and lots of different colors from nature around me all the time. My use of bold colors is inspired by the Tennessee landscapes. 

Inside photography of a feminine white person with platinum blonde shoulder length hair. They wear a pink ruffled transparent dress. Beneath it they wear a white bikini top and bottom. They sit on a rose gold antique couch, and opulent shades of pink curtains, walls, flowers and gold lamps and tables are behind them.

What is one of the bigger challenges you and/or other photographers are struggling with these days and how do you see it developing?

For me, I’m challenged by constantly seeing others work and feeling the need to constantly put out work/ feelings like I’m not doing enough. Don’t get me wrong, it’s also VERY inspiring, but I get in the habit of comparing my work to others. 

From your perspective, what makes a “good” portrait? 

A “good portrait” is subjective. Anything that evokes emotion is a good portrait to me.

Editorial photography of actor Lamorne. Photo of a black man in a toe stance against an olive background. He wears nike shoes and a patterned top. He has a trim beard and his hair is cut close to his head.
Lamorne for Hollywood Reporter.

You and your loft were featured in Architectural Digest (AD). Can you discuss this and the role you feel art and design play in your life (in addition to your photography practice)? 

The AD feature was so random, but it’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I would have never imagined I’d be on AD. When Covid hit I had a lot of time on my hands and felt less inspired by photos. I channeled all of that energy into interior design. It’s my new creative outlet. I’m always obsessing about how to make my home feel more creative, bright, and bold. I spend a lot of time here (especially right now), and my home is my sanctuary.

What have been some of your favorite people to work with and/or photograph?

My favorite person in the world to photograph is my partner Jack. 

Photo of a thin and muscular white person in a backbend. They have sandy blonde hair and their head is upside down facing the camera, atop a beige carpet. They wear a black strapped leotard and their nippled are visible outside the clothing.

On your page, you separate your portfolio from your artwork, why that distinction?

My artwork is separate because I feel those photos were on the spot and not planned. I was inspired by the moment and took photos of what I felt. Most of my work is planned (not all) and still my art, but it feels different to me when I’m in a moment, not focused on photographing something, but it calls my name.

Photo of a woman with warm olive skin and long warm brown hair. The photo is take from below and the subject smiles, with her hand in the air. A clear blue sky is behind her. She wears a soft lime green translucent top and a mauve lace bra.

Who are some of your favorite artists, photographers, designers? 

Favorite photographers include Tim Walker, Andre Wagner, Renell Medrano, Tyler Mitchell, Petra Collins. For home design, my absolute favorite right now is Gustaf Westman. 

Upcoming Projects?

I have a few cool projects coming up I can’t discuss but keep your eyes peeled for them 🙂