Meet Jamar Silva | Director & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamar Silva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamar, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Breaking down fears is one of the biggest reasons I take risks. Fear holds me back from achieving my goals and reaching my full potential. The risk of moving away from home with no solid plan opened many doors for me and led me to discover my life’s calling as a director and photographer. Nowadays, I’m taking risks through my work, constantly challenging myself to step outside of the norm and go against the grain. It’s what makes me feel most normal. It doesn’t always work out, but it always feels good. It’s the right amount of adrenaline that makes me feel alive in the moment, and I’d rather feel alive in this very short life we’re given. Someone else can learn from my mistakes and take it even further. Listen to yourself. At times the voice is a mother’s warmth, holding and gifting you grace. Other times it’s relentless and unreasonable. Both can serve a purpose. Both dig to uncover the real you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is an extension of my personal journey, an ongoing conversation with my inner voice. This voice never demands answers, only poses questions that sometimes seem abstract. What feels right today may not align with my thoughts tomorrow or next year, much like how our sense of identity and morality is fluid. Running from these thoughts only postpones an inevitable conflict, one that is as certain as the next breath I take.

In my work, I’m constantly grappling with this conflict. There’s a part of me drawn to the chase for success, a pursuit that can feel almost intoxicating. Yet another part finds this pursuit superficial, even unnecessary. At 27, navigating this tension is a challenge, especially when the world often pressures you to conform. Without ongoing dialogue, both with myself and with others, it’s easy to fall into line and become just another face in the crowd.

What sets my art apart isn’t a matter of comparison but rather a deep engagement with those who came before and those who will follow. I draw inspiration and guidance from them, letting their influence shape my work. The journey hasn’t been easy—challenges have been constant, and overcoming them has required resilience and adaptability. Each obstacle has taught me something new, whether it’s about perseverance, creativity, or self-awareness.

I want the world to see my work as a reflection of this inner dialogue and struggle. My art is a testament to the process of self-discovery and the lessons learned along the way. It’s about embracing the complexity of existence and finding beauty in the questions that drive us forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I wouldn’t plan out every detail—I’d focus more on the journey itself. Cliché, I know, but there’s something about the spontaneity of exploration that I find essential. I’d create a playlist filled with our favorite tracks, pack up my camera, and set off on the road with no fixed destination. It’s about those random stops along the way, discovering hidden gems and uncharted places.

I’d definitely seek out spots that are off the beaten path—mountainous terrains, tranquil streams, or perhaps even abandoned buildings with a story to tell. There’s a unique magic in stumbling upon something unexpected, something that breaks away from the norm.

But it’s not just about the places. I’d aim for moments of intimacy and quiet, sharing experiences that aren’t just visually stunning but deeply personal. It’s in those moments of connection and discovery that the real adventure unfolds.

So, the itinerary? It’s a fluid concept—more about embracing the journey and less about the destination.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely: I live in a country that’s not my own, but it’s where I’ve found my footing, started creating, and built a circle around what I do. Every person in that space has shaped how I see the world, and in turn, how I want to craft my art and life. I want to send out a deep thank you to each of them—the friends who stand in front of my lens with trust, the clients, and even the strangers who reach out, connecting with what I put out there. There are people who keep me grounded, who offer me support and advice when I need it most. I’m grateful for each one, and I try to let them know, in my own way.

Website: www. jamarsilva.com

Instagram: lextookit

Youtube: lextookit

Image Credits
Image credit for Personal photo: Junior Sealy
Image credit for additional photos: Jamar A. Silva