about Jama
about me
Photographer. Speaker. Podcaster. Austin TX unicorn. I decided to stop performing and start telling the truth.
FROM SMALL TOWN ROOTS TO TELLING THE TRUTH OUT LOUD
I’m Jama. Born in Austin, raised in rural south Texas where the cows outnumber people. I moved back to Austin for college and never left. They call people born here unicorns because it’s that rare. It’s on my birth certificate so I’m claiming it.
For over 30 years I’ve been behind the camera. I’ve photographed high school seniors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and women who walked in saying they hated having their picture taken and walked out crying happy tears. That never gets old.
I’ve been featured in the New York Times, voted Best of Austin Portrait Photographer seven years in a row, ran with the Brooks Run Happy Team, completed 23 marathons, spoke at SASI Leadership, and recently launched a podcast that finally feels like me.
That podcast is called Jama Pantel: Unfiltered. It exists because I got tired of performing a version of myself that fit neatly into a category. The photography, the running, the speaking, the messy middle of figuring out what comes next when life finally slows down — all of it is the show.
I’m a Pure Manifesting Generator which means I was never meant to do just one thing. I tried. It didn’t work. I’m done apologizing for that.
WHY I DO THIS WORK
For years I watched smart, capable women shrink when a camera turned on. I heard it constantly — I hate how I look in photos, I don’t feel confident, I’ve never liked a single picture of myself.
It broke my heart. Because I knew that feeling. And I knew it had nothing to do with how they looked.
Confidence isn’t something we’re missing. It’s something we reclaim. In front of a camera, on a podcast, on a stage, in a life that finally feels like ours.
That’s what I’m here for.
I BELIEVE IN THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE YOUR BIGGEST DREAMS
YOU’LL FIND ME IN THE QUIET SPACES (running) AND WILD PLACES (traveling). I NEED FRESH AIR, the beach, my camera and my running shoes to relax, CREATE, AND NEW EXPERIENCES TO FUEL ME so I can show up as my best for you.
PODCAST
JAMA PANTEL: UNFILTERED
Real talk for women who are done performing and ready to figure out what actually comes next.
New episodes every Tuesday.
SPEAKING
BOOK JAMA TO SPEAK
Bringing honest conversations about survival mode, hustle identity, and what comes next to stages where entrepreneurs and women leaders need to hear them most.
Available in Austin and nationally.
Ready to Work Together?
Whether you’re looking for a portrait photographer in Austin, want to book me to speak, or just want to say hello — I’d love to connect.