Jenelle Smith (she/they)

I started this project during a trip to Jamaica in 2019. This trip was very special because I got to see my dad for the first time in 10 years. When I was younger, my dad dealt with various immigration issues, which resulted in him being deported. We’re very close, so we made sure to keep in touch as much as possible via text messages and phone calls. When the day finally came to see him in person, I thought it was going to be an intense, emotional reunion—like in a movie. But it wasn’t. We hugged like we had seen each other the day before. I realized it was because I felt at home. I was safe. I didn’t need a tearful encounter—all I needed was a hug and a kiss on the forehead from my dad. I held onto that feeling the entire trip.
"Hidden in plain sight" speaks to the quiet, often overlooked moments where love and safety exist—the gentle familiarity of being with someone who knows you deeply. The comfort of simply sitting beside a loved one, or driving through landscapes in silence, is where the heart of connection lives. These images reflect a love that doesn’t need to announce itself, because it’s always been there—steady, present, and woven into the everyday. The safety and warmth captured here aren’t loud; they’re felt in the stillness.

Jenelle Smith’s journey as a photographer is a direct reflection of their Jamaican upbringing in South Florida. During her childhood, she was constantly surrounded by bright color palettes and even brighter personalities. It was impossible for her not to observe everything in detail and take mental snapshots. As the years went by, she decided to make her observations more tangible.
Specializing in film photography, particularly portraiture, she aims to capture the essence of individuals as she perceives them, diving deep into their inner beauty and the subtleties of their character. She loves to highlight the often-overlooked details that define us—our hands, arms, and the intimate close-ups of our faces. These elements can showcase so much of a person’s energy, but also make you question more. Jenelle believes that our personalities are intricately woven into these nuances and is passionate about emphasizing them in her photographs to remind their subjects how beautiful they are in their own way.

Jenelle Smith (she/they)

I started this project during a trip to Jamaica in 2019. This trip was very special because I got to see my dad for the first time in 10 years. When I was younger, my dad dealt with various immigration issues, which resulted in him being deported. We’re very close, so we made sure to keep in touch as much as possible via text messages and phone calls. When the day finally came to see him in person, I thought it was going to be an intense, emotional reunion—like in a movie. But it wasn’t. We hugged like we had seen each other the day before. I realized it was because I felt at home. I was safe. I didn’t need a tearful encounter—all I needed was a hug and a kiss on the forehead from my dad. I held onto that feeling the entire trip.
"Hidden in plain sight" speaks to the quiet, often overlooked moments where love and safety exist—the gentle familiarity of being with someone who knows you deeply. The comfort of simply sitting beside a loved one, or driving through landscapes in silence, is where the heart of connection lives. These images reflect a love that doesn’t need to announce itself, because it’s always been there—steady, present, and woven into the everyday. The safety and warmth captured here aren’t loud; they’re felt in the stillness.

Jenelle Smith’s journey as a photographer is a direct reflection of their Jamaican upbringing in South Florida. During her childhood, she was constantly surrounded by bright color palettes and even brighter personalities. It was impossible for her not to observe everything in detail and take mental snapshots. As the years went by, she decided to make her observations more tangible.
Specializing in film photography, particularly portraiture, she aims to capture the essence of individuals as she perceives them, diving deep into their inner beauty and the subtleties of their character. She loves to highlight the often-overlooked details that define us—our hands, arms, and the intimate close-ups of our faces. These elements can showcase so much of a person’s energy, but also make you question more. Jenelle believes that our personalities are intricately woven into these nuances and is passionate about emphasizing them in her photographs to remind their subjects how beautiful they are in their own way.