Grounded In The Moment

My name is Jade Woods, and I am a photographer based in Washington State. I derive immense joy from capturing moments that tell a story or create emotion. Beyond photography, I find fulfillment in community events, immersing myself in music and live shows, connecting with people, traveling with friends and family, and wandering thrift shops and antique stores. Traveling has always been a significant inspiration in my work, shaping how I perceive and capture the world.

My journey into the world of photography began shortly after leaving the Navy. At the time, I was searching for something to keep me grounded and give me a sense of direction. After leaving the Navy, I struggled to adapt to everyday life, feeling disconnected and searching for a sense of community and belonging. Photography became my anchor, helping me navigate and find my place within this new world. One day, I picked up a Canon AE-1 and a roll of Kodak Gold from the local pharmacy. At the time, I lived near the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon and began taking photos while on hiking trails after work. If you’ve ever been to the Pacific Northwest, you know that the light changes as quickly as the weather, so you must adapt and learn the technicalities of the cameras if you want to capture that shot you’ve been eyeing. Those years in the national forest gave me the time and space to learn my camera and push myself technically. I shot a lot of waterfalls and forest trails, and that environment helped me figure out how to make a camera work for what I was feeling.

Eventually, I started turning my lens toward people. I was inspired by Richard Avedon’s In the American West; those portraits lit something in me. Avedon led me to Sally Mann, whose images are full of life, texture, and story. That’s what I’m always chasing in my work: that emotional thread, that moment where an image feels alive.