“Looking back, I was very shy growing up.  Walking a runway or being in front of a camera brought something else out of me.  I am a creative person, so the fashion, style, and different types of photos were very appealing to me.  Modeling was fun and exciting, and helped me grow as a person,” reflects Jamie Ainsworth. 

As a timid, but beautiful young teen in Magee, Mississippi, Jamie was intrigued with the modeling industry.  “My dad heard a casting call on the radio and took me.  It turned out to not be very professional, but it was a good experience and I walked away knowing I wanted to be a model.”

Jamie’s supportive parents helped her pursue her dreams.  She signed with several modeling agencies, both locally and in Chicago and Atlanta.  She traveled to New York City and booked Fashion Week shows, but always returned to her roots.  “I’m a country girl,” she laughs.  “I never wanted to move.”

Jamie began working for Libby Story and many of the girls at the company realized that Jamie had true modeling experience.  “I was a real model in their eyes.  The girls would come to me for advice to go further, and learn about runway modeling.  I began mentoring many of the models, and suddenly I booked one of the girls for a job!”  She reflects, “It kind of fell into my lap and I thought, ‘Why don’t I do this for real?’”

Jamie founded JEA Model Management (after her name, Jamie Elyse Ainsworth) and she now has a booming modeling agency.  Through her personal contacts, experience and incredible hands-on approach, Jamie is changing the face of modeling in Mississippi. 

JEA books locally and nationally, and has worked with magazines such as Premiere Bride, The Northside Sun, and Social South.  JEA also works closely with boutiques such as Libby Story, 25 South, and Mulberry Dreams. 

The faces of JEA are beautifully unique. “I love diversity within my agency.  I do not have any models that look just alike.  I try to keep refreshing and adding new talent,” says Jamie.  Many of her models also have marvelous potential.  “I have a girl signing with Major Models in New York City!  I have another under negotiations.  The ultimate goal is to get them great experience, develop their skills and get them further with their careers,” says Jamie.

Jamie personally coaches and trains her models.  Refreshingly, everything is one-on-one; there are no group classes. “We do a portfolio shoot and perfect their look.  We make sure we promote each client the way they need to be promoted.”  They not only coach models for photo shoots, but also fashion shows, acting, and more. 

JEA Model Management is the modeling agency in Mississippi.  Through JEA, Jamie is extending the same poise and self-assurance to young girls that she received from modeling.  “Seeing them build their confidence is truly rewarding, and is the best part of my job,” admits Jamie. 

If you are interested in joining JEA Model Management, you can apply and submit photos here.  JEA also has open calls, or Jamie might even spot you in a restaurant!  “I have scouted around Mississippi.  If I see someone intriguing, I will walk up to them and talk to them!  I have found people on Instagram and asked them to come to a casting.”

Jamie, thank you for sharing your passion and expertise with models around the state.  For more information on Jamie and JEA Model Management, please visit their website here. 

{Bride}  Lauren Bagley
{Groom} Jake Cox
{Hometowns} Madison, MS
{Wedding Site} Providence Hill Farm in Jackson, MS
{Reception Site} Providence Hill Farm in Jackson, MS
{Bride’s Bouquet} White O'Hara roses, Mother of Pearl roses, Vendella roses, Silver Brunia, Scabiosa pods.
{Bridesmaid Bouquets} Smaller versions of mine with more color and succulents added.

{How did the two of you meet?} We were introduced through a mutual friend from my nursing school class.

{What is your proposal story?} Jake called me earlier that day and told me that his family was going out to eat that night. So I got ready and he picked me up a couple of hours later. He told me his parents weren't home yet, so we were just going to go to their house and wait on them. When we got there, he wanted to show me the tire swing he had made for his niece. So we got out of the truck, and walked down to the swing. It was under this big, beautiful oak tree.  We walked around and talked for a few minutes. Then, he pointed at something off in the distance to make me look away, and when I looked back, he was down on one knee! I was speechless. I had even forgotten to say "yes."  So he had to ask me again, haha! He then pointed to where his brother, Joseph, was hiding behind a tree taking pictures and videotaping the entire thing! Well, to add to the surprise, both of our families were inside the house watching as well! Instead of going out to eat, our moms ended up cooking a delicious dinner for everyone and we spent the rest of the night celebrating! It was a perfect day! 

{What inspired your wedding and reception locations?} I first visited Providence Hill Farm a few years ago for a friend's wedding, and since then I have been in love with it! I knew I wanted a classic, Southern-style wedding, so Providence was the perfect venue!

{What inspired your color scheme/theme/flowers?} When I think of March, I think of green. It just so happens to be one of my favorite colors, too. So I searched through magazines and found the perfect color for my bridesmaid dresses. The color was a soft "pistachio" green.  For my flowers I went with pale pink, peach, and cream to compliment the dress and give a fresh spring look.

{How did you pick “the dress?”} I knew exactly what I wanted when we went dress shopping. I had even brought several pictures of different dresses to show the shop. I showed Mrs. Catherine from Imaginations the pictures, and she said "I know exactly what you're looking for.”  She and another girl picked out several dresses for me to try on, just to have a variety. The last dress I tried on was the one! It was everything I had been looking for!

{What’s your favorite unique accessory? Is there a story behind it?} My favorite accessory was my "something borrowed" which was my mom's veil. The night after we found my dress, my mom and I opened her wedding dress that had been preserved and played dress up with her dress and veil. My mom then told me that I could use her veil if I wanted to. Of course, I did! So I contacted MollyGee Designs the following week. She redesigned my mom's veil and gave it a new look! My mom's veil also had a cap piece that Molly took the lace from and constructed a beautiful hair piece that I wore after I took the veil off. It was very special to me to be able to wear my mom's veil for my special day! It was a little reminder of my parents' wonderful marriage that has been going strong for 34 (almost 35) years. 

{What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process?} Cake tasting...duh! No, but really I would say it was seeing all of my plans and ideas come together. Also, I enjoyed the meetings with Kendall Poole Ellis of Kendall Poole Event Planning. Every meeting we went to, I felt more relieved from all the wedding stress. She and her team did an amazing job!

{Besides the actual wedding, what was your favorite moment of the wedding day?} My favorite was our "first look.” Words cannot describe that moment. It definitely put both of us more at ease to be able to have that special time just to ourselves right before the wedding!

{What was your favorite surprise detail/moment about your wedding day?} After the ceremony, Jake and I had a private, candlelit dinner prepared for us in the suite above the barn. It was so nice to be able to sit down and enjoy our first meal together as husband and wife!

{Your favorite picture from the big day?} I honestly cannot pick just one! Melanie Thortis and Robert Smith did an awesome job!

{The picture that represents the two of you best?} I would say all the ones of us laughing together and being silly. Especially the one that was taken after I smeared cake all over Jake's face!

Photographer: Robert Smith of A Visual Life and Melanie Thortis of Thortis Photography
Event Planner: Kendall Poole Event Planning
Dress: Imaginations Bridal
Veil and hairpiece: MollyGee Designs
Hair: Bay Hartness from The Parlor Salon
Make-up: Jamie Bobbitt from Merle Norman 
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Bridal Path
Tuxes: Tuxes Too
Videographer: Fresh Focus Films
Venue: Providence Hill Farm
Lighting: Davaine Lighting
Rentals: Great Southern Events
Florist: Fresh Cut Catering and Floral
Catering: Loose Ends Catering
Bar: World of Wines and Liquors
Band: The Houserockers
Bride’s Cake: Cakes by Iris
Groom’s Cake: Mary Jane Cox (mother of the groom)
Print Material: Invitations were designed by sister of the groom, Meagan Babb. Calligraphy was also by Meagan.

At the age of sixteen, a boy left his native country of Jordan and faithfully journeyed to the United States.  Today, this same man finds himself happily married with two small children, living in Mississippi with a booming photography business, Chao Photography.

During his junior year of High School, Jeff Chao left the Middle East for Maryland.  While in Jordan, his family hosted a missionary for a month in their home, and her son worked at Hinds Community College.  Jeff became close with the missionary and her family, and decided to call her from Maryland.  She invited him to come down to Mississippi for a visit, and he instantly fell in love with the state.  Jeff was awarded a scholarship to Hinds Community College for soccer, and laughs, “I have been here ever since!”

Jeff met his wife, Jana, at Mississippi State University, and like many students, did not have a clear picture of what he wanted to do after graduation.  “I was originally going to attend seminary and work with college students,” says Jeff.  “But through many twists and turns, God led me in the direction of photography.” 

“I always had an interest and a passion for photography.  In May 2004, a girl was getting married in my church and I asked if I could come take pictures of her wedding.  The photographer was okay with it, so I did! They ended up loving the photos, and I shot her sister’s wedding the following year.  It was a small wedding and I just wanted to play around with my new camera!” 

Fiddling with his camera turned into a passion, and Jeff was hooked.  Jeff was working at a photo imaging store on Lakeland Drive in Jackson full-time and pursuing photography on the side.  “I became so busy with photography that my jobs switched!  I took photos of everything I could:  school day pictures, yearbooks, and senior portraits.  I was trying to get my hands in everything.  I began shooting almost 3,000 seniors a year!”

Jeff now boasts an Associates Degree in Architecture and has over ten years of experience behind the camera.  He shoots 25-30 weddings a year and is known for his beautiful, captivating photographs.  Jeff humbly says, “Everything I do is not for me, but for the glory of God.  I wouldn’t be doing this without Him.  He is the foundation of my business. “  Jeff has three crucial elements that drive him each time he takes a picture: his Christian faith, capturing moments with impeccable style, and developing a close relationship with his brides, grooms and clients.   

Jeff, Jana and their two precious boys are happily settled into life in Clinton.  Jeff has shot over 200 weddings, and continues to perfect his craft. “Weddings are my passion and I love investing in my clients,” says Jeff.  Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your awe-inspiring photos and your story!  To learn more about Chao Photography, please visit his website here.