Profile: Jean Marie Reed by CaresseMuir
Fashion Model to Baby Photographer

Jean Marie is a natural beauty and friends encouraged her to try modeling when she was 19. She was signed by City Models in Paris and New York’s Women Agency (Kate Moss is a client) and moved to Paris. Having never traveled before, fashion proved to be a very educational experience. “The opportunities to travel afforded me the rare privilege to actually live in and learn about different cultures.” She spent 10 years as a print, catalogue and runway model but says, “Being a model is an amazing gift and privilege, but I never felt that it was a perfect fit for me.” She was, however, very impressed with many of the photographers she worked with. Inspired by those photographers, she decided to try her hand at photography. Immediately she fell in love with the art. Although at the height of her modeling career, she decided to return to San Francisco to focus on her talents in photography.

Jean Marie took basic photography classes at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She said they taught the classes very mathematically, and the technical aspect was very “formulaic” for her. At the beginning of her career she worked mostly with natural light. Jean Marie believes that one needs to be born with an eye for imagination and vision to reach the top, not necessarily a degree. She surrounded herself with great assistants, and, known as JM Reed, she began photographing models in international fashion magazines, composing dynamic covers and layouts for publications such as Elle, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. She says, “I wanted to basically revolutionize fashion photography, primarily treating the subjects and crews with compassion and respect. I believe that is why it has been so successful for me.

“Having come from a fashion background enabled me to have the empathy and understanding I needed to become a photographer who wished to elicit change. I strived to make my sets a nurturing environment for both the subject and the crew.” Jean Marie hired assistants and stylists who were considerate and caring. On her shoots she made sure there were robes, healthy snacks, water and tea on the sets for the models. She also made sure there was a changing area for them. These were the things she knew she would have wanted when she was modeling. She now has a shoebox full of thank you notes from models she has worked with. She also extended her kindness to her crew and introduced them to her editors so they could also grow in their careers.

Jean Marie believes she has almost a second sense for marketing and says, “If you are going to do something, why not be the best at it. I knew what goals I wanted to achieve, and I knew the steps I needed to take.” She never approached art directors as a beginner because she says first impressions always linger. She wanted a high caliber rep and got a lucky break with Vogue Mexico when she photographed Julio Iglesias Jr., and he introduced her to an editor. When bidding for jobs, she priced herself in the middle, as she was focused on building her book. Jean Marie’s style became bold and new as a direct influence of her participation in the European fashion world. She uses an expansive palette of color playing with light and density. She evokes a soft moodiness in her fashion photo layouts with background colors. Her assignments have taken her from Europe to Latin America.

After seven years of working basically 24/7 as an editorial fashion photographer, she was feeling burned out and found herself asking the question, “Is there more to life? Should I have a relationship?” It was in 2002 that she decided to step away and take a much-needed break from her successful but fast-paced life and career. During her “sabbatical” from photography she spent time gardening, nurturing friendships and exploring literary endeavors.

It was in January of 2003 that Charles Ditlefsen, president and CEO of Cedco Publishing approached Jean Marie. Ditlefsen had launched New Zealand baby photographer Anne Geddes in the U.S. and published her calendars and books for many years. Upon the end of their contract Cedco was searching for a new photographer to carry on the success and timeless appeal of baby photography. Ditlefsen had seen Jean Marie’s fashion photography and was very impressed with her work. She says the fact she was chosen “was a gift from heaven.” She had only photographed toddlers and didn’t have much experience photographing babies but knew that she had the integrity and passion to be an original.

It took four months for Jean Marie to come up with the “Baby Circus” concept. It all seemed very natural for her. She designed all the life-sized sets for each composition and had an incredible crew to bring her visions to life.

She advertised on the internet through the Craig’s List for her baby models. All the babies were ages 31⁄2 months to 13 months. Some were what Jean Marie calls her “miracle babies.” Four of the moms were cancer survivors. She used a total of 19 babies and experimented with different sets for each baby. The results of her months of planning are the Baby Circus calendars and baby books. The second calendar (2006) for Baby Circus was shot in August.

Jean Marie Reed has had two exciting careers thus far, and we are going to see more of her wonderful work as she embarks on “phase three” with her magical “Baby Circus” images.

Caresse Muir began her home-based business seven years ago, specializing in family, high school senior and children’s portraits. Four years ago she began photographing weddings and is a member of WPPI who frequently enters print competition.