Beyond the Album Cover: The Photography Behind Dear Love
When Jazzmeia Horn reached out, she wasn’t just looking for an album cover—she was looking for a complete brand refresh. She had a big band album in the works, and this moment needed to feel just as powerful as the music itself. We knew we had to craft something timeless, visually striking, and full of depth—something that could carry Dear Love and beyond.
Building the Vision
We started with fully developed moodboards, mapping out a two-day shoot that would deliver a range of visuals—from a strong, commanding album cover to versatile branding images that could be used across press, promotion, and social media. Two distinct color palettes guided us:
Day One (Studio): Classic, structured, powerful. Vintage-inspired lighting and elegant posing to showcase her strength, confidence, and presence.
Day Two (Outdoor): Light, playful, and full of movement. A flower crown, flowing fabrics, and dynamic posing to highlight her joy and energy.
Stylist Negesti Cantave worked closely with Jazzmeia to bring each look to life, ensuring that every outfit felt true to her vision. Dominique Jenelle, her makeup artist, crafted stunning looks that enhanced the richness and depth of each shot.
The Shoot: Two Days, Two Vibes
Day One: Studio Elegance & Strength
We kept things classic and controlled, using vintage-inspired lighting to create a sense of timelessness. While we played with fun looks, the focus remained on powerful, stoic compositions—images that immediately conveyed Jazzmeia’s presence and authority as a bandleader and artist. The studio setup allowed for precision and depth, ensuring the visuals would feel just as bold in print as they did online.
Day Two: Motion, Light, and Playfulness
For the outdoor session, we leaned into movement and emotion. My team—Rosie Slater, Kristi Mas, and Becca Dunne—worked seamlessly to adapt to shifting light, ensuring we captured the best possible shots. We collaborated with Jazzmeia’s team to create a custom flower crown, a key element in some of the most striking shots of the session. With the open sky as our backdrop, we pushed the boundaries of natural light—sometimes embracing it, sometimes overpowering it to create a studio-level control outdoors. The result? A collection of images that radiate both joy and power, with enough variety to sustain a long-term branding campaign.
Why This Shoot Worked for the Long Haul
This wasn’t just a one-time session for an album cover—it was an investment in years of content. The breadth of the shoot provided: ✔ A powerful album cover for Dear Love (which went on to be Grammy-nominated!)
✔ High-impact press and promotional images for features in Downbeat Magazine and major venue posters (Carnegie Hall, among others)
✔ A steady stream of social media content that never felt repetitive
✔ Timeless branding visuals that wouldn’t feel stuck in 2021 trends (no faded blacks, low contrast, or trendy cyan/orange pushes—just bold, saturated colors that would hold up for years)
The standout? A sky + orange dress contrast that instantly commands attention, making for a signature image that’s unmistakably her.
The Jazzmeia Factor
A shoot like this is only as strong as the collaboration behind it, and Jazzmeia brought clarity, joy, and trust to the process. She honored the prep work, embraced the creative direction, and showed up ready to create something special. That kind of partnership is what makes a branding shoot truly successful.
Dear Love wasn’t just an album—it was a statement. And the visuals we created alongside it gave Jazzmeia the branding foundation to support that statement for years to come.
Behind the Scenes & Final Images Below
BTS Photo Credit: Rosie Slater
