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AA: Jamil, it was such a pleasure photographing you during your visit to NYC!
Your profile is incredible to photograph, and you brought such a strong energy to the shoot. How was the experience for you, especially being part of the giant denim jeans series?
Anthony Amadeo chats with Adrian Jimenez about life as a dad, Vogue memories, and staying creative.
AA: Let’s take it back to our first shoot…
It was an absolute blizzard in New York City. I honestly didn’t think you’d make it, and not only did you show up, but you were five minutes early—after traveling all the way from Philly. What was going through your head on that journey? What made you commit to showing up that day?
AJ: Haha! Yeah man, I remember that. An iconic day in Brooklyn, definitely a memorable first impression. To be fair I was staying in the east village at the time with a friend and only had to take the L train over, but I knew with the non stop snow I would have to give myself some extra time. I was still pretty new on the scene and extremely appreciative of any opportunity, plus I had seen your work and really liked your style. I really love extremely weather events like that, I think there’s an energy to it, and once I finally made it to your spot it was well worth hiking in the snow.
AA: Over the years, we’ve shot so many times and have created hundreds of images together.
You’ve always been one of the easiest models I’ve ever worked with—there’s a natural trust that makes everything feel effortless. From your side, what has made our shoots special or memorable for you?
AJ: First of all, thanks man, you’re an easy photographer to work with too and I think it all comes from being comfortable taking chances, not being afraid to look stupid, and for me it was trusting your creative process. I remember seeing cool images on your profile, and once we started shooting it was almost like you were documenting a conversation. The spaces we’ve shot in have also helped because the artistic and chaotic energy of your decoration style helps to set a tone.
AA: One of the highlights of your journey was being featured in Vogue Italia.
That’s such a moment! Can you talk about how that opportunity came about, what the experience was like, and what it felt like to see yourself in such an iconic publication?
AJ: Vogue Italia may have been the very first time I went through a casting and got booked. It set an expectation in my mind that really hasn’t been reached again hahah! I remember casting with Luigi and Iango and just telling myself it was normal and I deserved to be there and being fully ready to commit to their artistic vision. The shoot itself was amazing because first of all, we were at a beautiful property and there were also a bunch of other models there. Mica was the main model they were shooting but I remember hanging out and vibing with the other models, trying to listen to their stories of being on sets and finding out as much as I could about the industry. One thing I remember vividly is everyone was getting styled with Louis Vuitton, not fully clothed but elements here and there, until they got to me and were like, yeah he’s fine how he is. So my shots in the publication, even though I’m styled in Louis Vuitton, are really just but naked draped on a beautiful girl.
AA: I know you’ve got a lot happening lately—especially becoming a new dad.
First of all, congrats! How has fatherhood been treating you? How are you balancing creative work, life, and being a dad? And what keeps you motivated these days?
AJ: Thank you! I’m blessed to have a beautiful son and in these short few months the situation keeps changing and evolving. One way I’ve been describing it is that even with how wildly inconvenient it is to bring a new baby in to this world, it is still easily the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Coincidentally as soon as he was born I started getting booked more than ever before. It’s heartbreaking leaving my wife and baby whenever I get booked out of town and the first time I had to leave I cried in the Uber on the way to the airport, but its all part of the hustle and at this point in our lives the best thing I can do for my family is to provide so that my wife can stay home with the baby.
Now 7 months in to it, the situation is changing where I feel like I can pop up to the city to start shooting again. I’d like to start building my portfolio out, and developing myself creatively in the modeling world again.
AA: Scent can transport us to moments and memories—just like a photograph.
If your life or creative journey had a scent, what do you imagine it would smell like? Are there any specific smells tied to moments that you’ll always carry with you?
AJ: Oh wow, yeah absolutely, that here are a few scents that put me right back in to a moment. If I had to accept a scent for my creative journey I think it would predominantly be something outdoorsy, maybe a little woody like pine or charcoal from a fire, I think there would be an element of something refined like leather that would encapsulate the energy of the city, and maybe something like a jasmine or a touch of something floral to tie in the elements of complete vulnerability that comes with doing something so public and creative.
If I ever walk in to the One Hotel in Brooklyn I’m reminded of the shoot I was a part of there. Certain brands of moisturizers and hair products bring me back to moments on sets. Parliment lites remind me of Christmas thanks to my aunt and uncles.
AA: You always seem to be up to something new...
What are you up to right now? Are you working on anything exciting that we should know about—projects, creative pursuits, or life changes?
AJ: Recently in my professional career I’ve been lucky to have a mother agent that has placed me in some great markets. I love going to LA so I’ll probably be looking to spend some time out there to see if I can get anything cooking. Even before that I’ll probably be shooting some new portfolio images, but this last year has been so great and unpredictable and it makes me feel like as long I keep taking care of my health and maintain the relationships I’ve built, that opportunities should keep presenting themselves.
BONUS!
Did you know there’s now a puzzle featuring Adrian Jimenez? Yes, you read that right—a stunning and seriously challenging puzzle of one of our most striking images together. Perfect for hours of entertainment, frustration, and eventual triumph. Think you’ve got what it takes to piece together the artistry? It’s available for purchase now—don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind keepsake!
AA: To wrap things up…
Where can everyone keep up with you? Anything you want to share or pitch that’s coming up next?
AJ: Right now I just have my Instagram page running @adrianwjmnz I haven’t posted to my grid in ages but you can follow along the day to day in the stories. I’ve been doing general contracting work in and around Philly and I like to post artistic vignettes and little still life’s of the day to day work from the beautiful old homes I’m based in. Every once in a while I’ll get booked for a modeling job and in my manic attempt to cope with leaving my family for a few days I’ll usually tap in to a pretty fun and interactive part of my brain. If you’re really obsessed and want to see what I do while rehabbing properties we do actually have a YouTube channel @greenbuildingnetwork where the crew and I provide lightly comedic infotainment on building and renovations! But other than that hopefully I’ll have some new work coming soon!
