Jaimee Itagaki
Jaimee Itagaki is a Los Angeles-based photographer and graphic design artist with over three decades of experience capturing fashion, music, advertising, and fine art imagery. She has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including The Mark Taper Forum, The Ahmanson Theatre, Epson, Samsung, RCA Records, and multiple publications such as Latin Style, Yolk Magazine, and Rime Magazine. Her work seamlessly combines technical expertise with a deep artistic vision, reflecting a unique perspective shaped by her upbringing in inner-city Los Angeles. Jaimee’s photography explores urban and ethnic spirituality, portraying subjects with a reverence for the human spirit amidst the pressures of modern life. Her images convey themes of alienation, hope, and the search for deeper meaning and unseen, offering viewers both aesthetic beauty and emotional resonance. She has exhibited her work extensively at Los Angeles galleries including Galeria Otra Vez, Doizaki Gallery, Pacific Design Center, LA Artcore, Otis Gallery, Photography Center of LA, District Gallery, and Barnsdall Gallery, and has worked in cities across the U.S. and internationally, including Milan, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco. In addition to her commercial and fine art projects, Jaimee is deeply engaged in her local community, contributing to cultural initiatives such as the Windows of Little Tokyo art exhibition. Her technical expertise spans Photoshop, Capture One, InDesign, Lightroom, and DSLR video production, along with skills in photo compositing, retouching, lighting, and archive management. Jaimee continues to inspire through her artistry, blending creative vision with a commitment to capturing the essence of the human experience.
• California State University, Los Angeles
• Art Center College of Design
• Academy of Art College, San Francisco
• Otis Parsons School of Design
• Selected for Los Angeles Museum of Art - Art Here and Now (AHAN)
• Little Tokyo Historical Society
• Little Tokyo Service Center
• Visual Communications
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistently doing good work and building strong, meaningful connections throughout my career. Focusing on quality and nurturing relationships has opened opportunities and allowed me to grow both professionally and creatively.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To always try to do your very best in all your endeavors while keeping your integrity standards high. Believe in yourself and be your own cheerleader.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Try, try, try and never give up on your dream. You will get there. Part of being successful is tenacity and following your bliss.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face in my field is navigating industry expectations, especially as I’ve stepped away from the workforce for a period and am re-entering at this stage in my career. At the same time, this presents an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives, experience, and resilience to my work, proving that creativity and skill transcend age or time away from the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Creativity and craftsmanship are central to both my work and personal life. I live for art's expressions as a lifestyle and I value the patience, attention to detail, and personal resonance that come from activities like the healing arts, cooking and jewelry making, while bringing that same care and dedication to everything I do professionally.