From Kanye West to Bernie Sanders, Jamie-James Medina has photographed everyone who is anyone. Also acting as a creative consultant for musicians and bands like FKA Twigs and The XX, he's the low-key guy behind it all.
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Jamie-James Medina
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Jamie-James Medina
By: Zarna Surti
The return of the low-key creative might be something we all thought had disappeared. You know, the one who does all of the amazing things, is known in all of the small, exclusive creative circles, but doesn't solely live to create on the internet and social media channels—the one who actually lives and creates in real life. Enter Jamie-James Medina, the guy who is influencing all of your style and music choices, even if you don't realize it.
Tell us about the beginning of your career. You're one of those people who seems to have done it all.
My career started as a photographer. I worked as a photographer and journalist in the UK, starting with The Observer. I worked with them straight out of college and was able to cover news, music, travel, and some elections. I got to go to Africa and Asia, and also got to work as a portrait photographer in New York in music.
Then about four or five years ago I started to really focus on music and work directly with artists. I started working really closely with The xx and FKA Twigs and that kind of moved into creative consulting for agencies, artists, and record labels. I help define a look and feel for the campaign and make sure all of the assets are on-brand and in line with the messaging of an album.
CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT TRANSITION WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AND DECIDING YOU WERE GOING INTO MUSIC. WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT?
The defining moment was being present during the earliest stages of Tyler The Creator and Odd Future—you know, the evolution. I was on tour with The xx and I saw Tyler skating at the Supreme store and was just really captivated by him. I wanted to photograph him, so I invited him and all his friends to see The xx in Los Angeles and then I introduced him to XL, his record label. That was kind of the beginning of working on the inside and being part of campaigns and working with artists very early on. That was the real moment.
AND WHEN YOU WERE ON YOUR WITH THE XX, WERE YOU THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR?
No, no. I actually started as their photographer. I've always found that photography is always the in for me. It's the one thing I do that i feel very bullet proof in, so it's always the first stage.
You started working with fka twigs early in her career. HOW DID that come about?
I was working as a full-time creative for XL. When she was a very young artist, I was brought on board to work with her and photograph her. She is such a strong creative herself, so it was really just about being around her. It was great. I love working with artist while amplifying their vision and elevating their ideas or framing it into a campaign. Sometimes an idea can be a great idea for an album cover, but it wouldn't really work as a thumbnail on iTunes, you know? I'm there to say we need to have cover art that can work as a thumbnail as a 12" vinyl. A young artist may not look at the creative world like that.
You recently did some work with bernie sanders, what made you want to GET BACK INTO THE POLITICAL STUFF?
I missed being in the newsroom. Especially during this election, it is the greatest show. I also think Bernie Sanders was an incredibly inspiring candidate to be around.
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR UPBRINGING.
I was born in the UK, but I grew up in Bangladesh. My father was an expert in tropical medicine, so I lived in Bangladesh for over 20 years. I finally moved back to London to graduate and go to college. To be honest, I moved to New York because I met a girl and then I just fell in love with the city. I've been in New York for maybe 8 or 9 years now.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE NEW YORK SCENE right now?
I don't think scenes really exist anymore. I don't know if Los Angeles has a scene. L.A. is a strange one—I love The Germs, Warpaint is from L.A., but they're not really part of the scene. I’m also trying to think of what scenes are in New York now and it doesn't feel like there is a scene or moment. I think if you're looking for scenes, you're in the wrong time, but you can look for incredible moments. Serpentwithfeet is an incredible artist. I don't know if he's part of a scene, but when he walks into a room, the air does change.
CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT your record label HOT CHARITY?
Hot Charity is a record label that I started as a way to find artists I love and put out records. It's just an extension of what I do. I love making things, so it’s just an extension of that. Whether its record or music videos, I just love making things and putting them out.
WAS THERE EVER A POINT WHERE YOU HAD A SPECIFIC POSITION AND YOU BROKE OUT OF THAT? AND WHAT DOES THAT FREEDOM FEEL LIKE TO YOU?
The most official job I've ever had was when I was twenty, was working at The Observer. I guess the only thing I will say, is that every time I've ever done anything for money it has always been a fucking nightmare. Every single time I've ever just done something because I wanted to see something exist that didn't exist before or make something that would make me or other people happy, it paid off. Legitimately every time I've ever done something for money, it's always been a colossal shit show. I always remember that as much as possible. I think about that more and more as I get older.
Now I do more agency consultancy, but even then I look for reasons to be involved with campaigns that doesn't involve money and that could be just because it is a new world that I want to dive into. The other thing about that is do that when you're young because when you're older it gets way more stressful.
What's up next?
Covering the U.S. Election for The Guardian—I'm actually getting ready to go out on the road with Hilary Clinton soon.
jamie-james medina:
In Motion
In addition to his roles as a photographer and creative consultant, Jamie-James Medina is also an accomplished filmmaker—with a heavy hand in music motions. Take a look at a few videos he's directed below.
Whatever Happened to the Times / Bobby Womack
Monotony / Willis Earl Beal
The Noose of Jah City / King Krule
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