Pictures are like miniature time machines, granting the ability to go back in time and relive special moments. Photographers like Emma of JD Photography understand and help preserve those moments in all their vigor and colorfulness.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Emmanuelle Jeudi, known on social media simply as Emma, is a burgeoning photographer and entrepreneur. However, her childhood was spent living in New Jersey with its rich artistic landscape and culture, and it was not long before she began her love adventure with art and developed a passion for photography.

“I have always been interested in the arts. I have been drawing since I could pick up a pencil, so art has always been a part of my life,” she said.

By the time she was thirteen, Emma had become the de facto photographer in her family. Whether at the park, parties or any other social gathering, she was always called upon to capture the moment. She realized she had become very intrigued with cameras, lighting, and production—the different light setups, the sharpness of the creator, and overall the effort that went into the creation of a shot and not just the final product. Emma poured herself into the entire learning process with the hopes of becoming a successful YouTube content creator.

Emma dabbled into her anticipated career as a YouTuber at age 14 after being able to afford her first camera, a Canon T3i. Sadly, this did not last long, as she soon discovered that she was a lot more comfortable being behind the camera rather than being in front of it. She mothballed the idea, and it was not until her sophomore year in high school that she started taking her photography skills seriously.

Emma was inspired to explore a career in photography by Ms. Gacheko, her arts and photography teacher, who mentored her throughout high school and helped unearth her true potential. She switched her equipment from the Canon T5i she was using to a Nikon D3300, which dovetailed with her newly heightened skills to bring her brand to life.

The twenty-year-old launched her photography brand, JD Photography, on Instagram, where she has developed quite the following due to the quality of her pictures. She is known for her keen eye and unique approach to capturing stunning moments—from sports events to proms, portraits and natural lighting pictures of her friends. Her youth bears no telling on her work as her drive, creativity and execution clearly shine through.

“You’ll never get the same picture twice. And I think that’s what makes me different,” she said.

Through JD Photography, Emma helps bring her client’s vision to reality, masterfully immortalizing both moments and emotions. According to her, she finds fulfillment in watching her clients’ faces light up at her work. Although the COVID-19 pandemic halted her efforts for over a year, Emma has since reinvented herself and her brand by going into studio shoots with backdrops. The sensational artist has rejected any form of limitation as she relentlessly pursues her dreams.

In the coming years, Emma plans to open her own photography studio full-time and hopes to scale up JD Photography into a team that covers weddings and other large-scale events. “Photography is my passion, and I love speaking through pictures.”

To learn more about Emma and JD Photography, visit her photography page on Instagram or her personal Instagram page.