CEO

Shantae Menendez

Networking is an agelong steroid for business. In addition to taking ownership of Jamila Reine Models, Shantae Menendez, built a platform that fosters networking called "Talent on Edge" to bring entrepreneurs, business owners, creative individuals, brands, and models together to interact, collaborate, and share ideas. Her goal is help and push individuals to succeed. She strives to create a world where entrepreneur and creative labels are booked, busy, and thriving in their career. The platform has grown into an agency that brings people together from all walks of life. Now, being an owner of Jamila Reine Models, "I can bring more diversity out and let it be the new norm".  The 32 year-old entrepreneur from New Jersey hopes to see both her companies succeed in the next few years. She plans to build it into a global platform where artists & Models can share their works and network with numerous amazing talents worldwide.​

Chief Photographer

Drew Gardner

Drew is a commercial photographer based in the NJ / NYC area. With the support of his highschool photography teacher, Drew pursued his passion and went on to graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a BFA in commercial and advertising photography in 2008.

Post graduation Drew began his career at Martha Stewart where he met a photographer who would end up becoming his mentor and one of his biggest influences. From there Drew went on to work with clients such as Sak’s Fifth Ave, Barneys NYC, Rent the Runway, Kiehls, Vanity Fair, the US Air Force, Bespoke Post and many more.

Currently working primarily from his NJ based studio, Drew continues to refine his style and develop his craft. 

Chief Creative & Lead Stylist

Lauren Domingo

Lauren was one of the original NJ based models scouted by JRM back in October of 2021 when she believed modeling wouldn't be an opportunity she can pursue being petite. With her mother agency's full fledged support and resources to build her portfolio, she had the ability to work with brands including Puma, Snipes USA, New Balance, Danessa Myricks, and more to come. Fast forward to present day, her ultimate goal is to pave the way for petite Asian American representation on the runway and TV/media. With her experience in digital marketing, content creation, and the luxury fashion industry, meet our Chief Creative and Lead Stylist who will be overseeing visual projects, workshops, and making important decisions on the overall direction and vision.

Hair Stylist

Sydney Kennedy

Sydney is a renowned stylist and creative visionary who owns and operates a successful salon. Holding a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, she combines business insight with artistic flair in her professional pursuits. As a national educator for two prominent color companies, one based in Milan and the other in Sweden, she brings cutting-edge techniques to her clients and students. Her exceptional talent has been showcased at New York Fashion Week, and her admired social media platform allows her to share her insights and inspirations with a global audience.

MUA

Sophia Cetta

Sophia Cetta is a visionary makeup artist known for her alternative, punk-inspired editorial looks featured in Photo Vogue, Mob Journal, and Lady Gunn. With a background as a painter, they bring a distinctive artistic flair to photoshoots, videoshoots, runway, and film. Sophia has worked backstage at NYFW and will lead as Key Makeup Artist for an alternative runway for Fall NYFW 2025. Her dynamic social media presence allows her to share her creative process as she continues to expand her platform to showcase a broader range of art, fashion, and personal growth. 

Barber

Stacy Styles

Stacy  is a licensed cosmetologist with 12 years of experience in the beauty industry, operating in both New Jersey and New York City. Her diverse professional background includes managing salons, working in barbershops, and participating in high-profile events such as New York Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week. As a Master Stylist, she has showcased her skills at major barber events and has experience with weddings and celebrity clients, including notable figures like Bethany Frankel. Stacy is deeply passionate about her work, aiming to create a meaningful impact on each individual she serves. She emphasizes the transformative power of hairstyling, reflecting on how her own experiences with hairdressers have inspired her to ensure that every client feels exceptional. Her philosophy centers around the importance of the overall experience and the emotional uplift that accompanies a successful hair transformation, highlighting her commitment to making clients look and feel amazing.

Cinematographer

Rich

Richard is a dedicated cinematographer based in the New York and New Jersey area. He Specializes in documentary filmmaking and brings a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for capturing authentic moments. In addition to long-form documentaries, Richard excels in creating engaging small-form content tailored for social media, leveraging a unique blend of creativity and technical skill to produce visually compelling and impactful narratives. With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the power of visual media, Richard continues to push the boundaries of cinematography on both traditional and modern platforms.

Photographer

  Sushama Gupta

Welcome to Flash and Flicker, where every moment is captured with artistry and passion. Founded by Sushama Gupta, a visionary with a Master's degree in Fine Arts, our company is dedicated to immortalizing life's most precious moments through the lens of creativity.  Gupta is a master of her craft. With a profound understanding of composition, lighting, and storytelling, Sushama elevates photography to an art form. Her academic background in Fine Arts imbues her work with a unique perspective, allowing her to blend technical expertise with boundless imagination. At Flash and Flicker, we believe that every photograph tells a story. Whether it's a joyful ambiance or a captivating landscape of the new fashion era, we approach each project with dedication and enthusiasm. We aim to capture the perfect vogue and encapsulate the new style, creating timeless fashion pieces that will be cherished for generations.

Photographer

Jason Steffensmeier

As an urban photographer based in NYC, Jason began shooting street photography in 2021 capturing humans interacting with their environment in a raw, organic way. With this background he evolved into shooting street portraits and street fashion, telling stories of individuals and their own creative, self-expression, but with urban backdrops. By combining his experience with raw, candid street photography into his professional street shoots, he creates sets that blur the lines between the planned and the coincidental. Jason also loves to play with natural lighting in the studio while shooting bold black and white portraits. His latest focus and passion is Medium Format Film which creates beautiful, timeless portraits.

Photographer

Daria Sharapova

Introducing Daria, a dynamic creative based in the bustling heart of New York City. With a fervent passion for photography, cinematography, and content creation, her journey into the realm of visual storytelling commenced in 2016, sparking an unwavering devotion to capturing the essence of life's most poignant moments. Her love for shooting fashion has led to exhilarating experiences, including covering Fashion Week events, where she has honed her skills and immersed herself in the electrifying energy of the industry. From conceptualizing innovative photo shoots to gracefully guiding clients through their own visual narratives, she brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail to every project. Let's collaborate and weave magic through our shared love for creating beauty.

Photographer

Vincent 

Vincent is a New York-based professional photographer who specializes in portrait and editorial style photography. His journey began with nothing more than an iPhone but his passion for photography led him to a DSLR and hone his skills. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication his craft, Vincent has become a master of his art. His portfolio showcases his talent and expertise, and his work is a testament to his hard work and determination

Model Coach

Cherry Davis

Cherry Davis has been modeling for over 31 years and teaching male and female models for 13 years. After having the opportunity to model for big brands like MIchael Kors, Macy's, Dillards, walk in LA Fashion Week, NYFW, Oxford Fashion Week, and Bridal Extravaganza, Cherry has coordinated shows for NYFW, Milan Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, AFW, and Pride shows in different states. Dancing with huge artists at festivals, such as back up for Snoop Dogg, she decided she wanted to help others reach their dreams. Currently she develops models and talents through her modeling school, Core of the Runway. Mentoring and molding them for industry and agencies, and bookings and fashion weeks. Teaching workshops, classes, mock sessions, working as a model coordinator, casting director, show producer, and talent booker in and out of state, Cherry looks forward to working with our models and sharing her knowledge

Acting Coach

Michael Fels

Michael Fels is a New York based filmmaker with 15 years experience and a BFA in Film from Five Towns College (2009). Michael is a producer, director, casting director, writer, and an acting coach. Michael makes movies, music videos, commercials, documentaries, and social media content. He has won "Best Picture" at the 2023 Mott Haven Film Festival for his film "A Sister's Perspective". His film "Whatever It Takes" won "Best Screenplay 2023" at the Flight Deck Film Festival. Michael enjoys talent development and writes original custom made monologues and scripts. Michael does casting for fashion shows and also films live events. He also has been a social media manager for various companies. His vast experience, positive attitude, time management, network, knowledge, and leadership skills makes him the right choice for any production.