Inside the Brand: Jalisa Roslyn Photo
Jalisa Roslyn’s path into wedding photography is rooted in a lifelong relationship with the arts, shaped by years of movement, music and creative expression. What began as a college film class quickly became a devotion to observing emotion, connection and the fleeting moments that so often pass unnoticed. Today, her work centres on documentary storytelling with an artistic sensibility, creating photographs intended to live on as meaningful, multi-generational heirlooms.
THEODORE Mag: What first inspired you to become a wedding photographer, and how did Jalisa Roslyn Photo come to life?
Jalisa: I began my photography journey with a film class in my last year of college. I grew up always heavily involved in various artistic disciplines; I trained as a ballerina for over 13 years, played the piano, took a variety of drawing, painting, and ceramic classes, and always revelled in the release that can be found through the arts. Part of this was instilled in me by my late grandmother, Maxine. She would always encourage us to draw and create. From the very beginning, I was obsessed with photography. What was intended to be an “easy A” class quickly consumed all of my time and money. In the following years, my desire to pursue photography grew, and I branched into digital photography. I broke into wedding photography when a long-term friend and mentor got engaged, and I asked if they would model for me so I could practice couples photos. This wonderful couple placed immense trust in me and later asked me to photograph their wedding as well. From there, my love for the artistic discipline and weddings has grown exponentially. I’m extraordinarily fortunate to live in the DC area, where I’m surrounded by ethnic and cultural diversity, incredible venues, and a wonderful vendor community. Over the last 4 years, my business has grown, but the passion remains the same. I am driven by observation and the desire to preserve moments in time - to document fleeting emotions and create multi-generational heirlooms.
THEODORE Mag: How would you describe your photographic style and the experience you aim to create for the couples you work with?
Jalisa: My photograph style is very much rooted in a documentary style approach. The photos I connect with the most are the “in-between moments” where the backbone is the environment, the movement, and the connections observed by the subject of the photo. When I walk into a room, I love to pause and observe; I strive to find those little connections and then document from there. I think it’s often these “normal” moments that make the memories so extraordinary. This pairs well with the experience I strive to deliver. I want my couples to feel comfort and familiarity when they look at their photos, and I want them to feel that in my presence as well. I strive to match the energy in the room, and to show up as a person of trust who’s welcomed to witness some of their most intimate moments. When I walk away from a wedding, and when I look at their gallery in the future, I want to relive the emotions of the day. So when I show up to photograph a wedding, I show up prepared to pour my heart into the day.
THEODORE Mag: Your approach blends editorial and documentary elements. How do you balance presence with artistic direction on a wedding day?
Jalisa: This is a phenomenal question that represents my approach so well. As discussed above, my initial approach is heavily documentary-influenced with artistic elements and editorial flair. The ability to step back and observe also allows me to take my time and photograph with a more artistic eye. My wedding days are typically longer hours, and this also gives me the time to step back and document instead of rushing moments to adhere to a tight timeline. Working with a strong team also really aids in this. Lastly, I inject artistic direction by building a close connection with my clients before their wedding day. I savour being able to talk with my clients a few times before their ceremony so they’re semi-familiar with my presence and communication style. If possible, I also try to do an engagement session with them beforehand so they can get used to my guided directions. I have a relatively relaxed direction style that’s also rooted in conversation and keen observation of how my couples move together. In full truth, a lot of this observation can be credited to my early days as a ballerina. I learned to read rooms full of physical connection and movement and find the gaps, notice the small things, and quickly identify beautiful elements of connection.
THEODORE Mag: What do you look for when getting to know a couple before their wedding, and how does that influence the way you shoot their story?
Jalisa: Of course, every couple is vastly different, but I look for couples who are open and transparent about their wedding vision and ultimately want this celebration documented for themselves and their families. At their core, weddings are celebrations of love and union. I look for couples who are confident in their vision and welcoming in their invitation for me to celebrate with them. I think this is key in allowing me to intimately photograph every aspect of their story. I connect really well with couples who aren’t driven by “performative measures” but just want to show up and celebrate their marriage, whether that means having a big dance party or an al fresco dinner. A couple’s willingness to invite a wedding vendor into the most intimate moments of their life is the driving factor behind how deeply their day can be photographed; I am looking for those moments of raw emotion, connection, and vulnerability to photograph - so I want my couples to feel comfortable displaying those things freely. This is partly why I adopt a hands-off documentary style; I don’t want to force moments or influence emotions.
THEODORE Mag: You work with both digital and film. What draws you to this hybrid approach, and what does it bring to the final collection?
Jalisa: This all comes back to my roots with film photography. It feels so natural and like an homage to my beginning. In addition, I love the quality of film; the colours, texture, and imperfections are beautiful. I like the unpredictable nature as well; we never know quite how a roll will develop, and I think that makes it feel more real. I do, in truth, romanticise the entire approach to film, but this connects my utilisation of it to my goal to deliver multi-generational heirlooms.
THEODORE Mag: What’s one thing you wish every couple understood about working with their photographer on the wedding day?
Jalisa: I want my couples to understand that I am one of the vendors who will spend the most time around them on their wedding day. From getting ready to partying on the dance floor, I will be by their side, joking with their friends, and chatting with their families. I think this is why it’s so important that we establish a connection prior to their wedding day, because my presence will be heavily integrated into their day. I also think it’s really important for couples to know that the style they see in my portfolio is just that - my style. I am drawn to light and movement, I like artistic elements, and I use a documentary approach. I put a lot of effort into keeping my social portfolio updated with my highlights so future clients can visualise my approach and understand what draws my eye.
THEODORE Mag: Can you share a favourite moment or type of scene you love capturing, the ones that really make you feel like you’ve told a story well?
Jalisa: There are so many special moments that I’ve been fortunate enough to bear witness to and get to document through photos. I really love seeing interactions between the various “groups” at a wedding. Wedding days are very unique because they’re one of the few times in a person's life where people from all of the different phases blend together; I really love watching interactions between grandparents and college friends, nieces and nephews playing together, etc. It’s really special that all of these people from different walks of life gather to celebrate the couple. I try to take the time to document these little moments that may seem "simple" in the moment, but I think they add a lot to the story, and years from now will be very cherished memories. Also, I love taking extra time to photograph grandparents; there’s just something so special about having their presence be marked throughout an entire gallery that makes me smile.
THEODORE Mag: What advice would you give couples when choosing a wedding photographer who feels like the perfect fit for them?
Jalisa: My biggest piece of advice to clients is to invest in the photographer that is right for them. I encourage clients to talk to more than one photographer, but ultimately want them to remember that photos are one of the tangible items they will walk away with that truly document these memories. A photo I take may one day become someone’s favourite photo of them. It’s incredibly important that couples connect with their photographer and can place full artistic trust in them.
Visit jalisaroslynphoto.com
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DISCLAIMER: We attempt to credit the original photographer/source of every image we use. However, in most circumstances, the images we use are provided by the brands spoken about, and we rely on them to inform us of the image source. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@theodoremagazine.com
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