03/13/84-11/11/22

in memory of

jamie gene amado

My father, Jamie Gene Amado, was born on March 13th, 1984, and took his own life on November 11th, 2022, after going through a series of painful events following a long divorce. That loss led to a spiral — he lost his home, his truck, and his job, all while already battling mental illness.

This isn’t meant to be a sad post. It’s to help others see the world through a more human, compassionate lens — the way my dad always did. Social anxiety never stopped him from becoming the kind of person who made friends with absolutely anyone. That random gas station worker? My dad probably knew their whole life story. The mailman? He probably knew what they had for lunch last week and the names of all their kids. That was just who he was — someone who really saw people.

My dad had 7 biological children: Gracie, Julianna (that’s me), Payton, Brooklyn, Emily, Anthony, and Jaime, and one stepdaughter, Lilly. He loved being a dad more than anything. He loved teaching, adventuring, and exploring nature and animals. He’d sing as he got out of bed in the morning. He was always making rhythms on things like drums or tabletops. He made the ordinary feel magical, and he was someone you could depend on — someone you could talk to for hours, even without asking for advice.

He didn’t end his life because he didn’t love us — he did. He just didn’t know how to live with the pain anymore. But he still left behind so much light, laughter, and perspective. And now, I get to carry his name and his spirit into every session I photograph. That’s what Through Jamie’s Eyes is about: seeing the world the way he did — full of softness, wonder, and stories worth telling.

If you’ve made it this far, let this be your reminder: you never know what someone is going through. Please check in on your loved ones. Ask real questions. Be gentle with others, and with yourself.

In honor of my father, 5% of all transactions through Through Jamie’s Eyes are donated to suicide prevention and mental health organizations. This business is more than photography — it’s my love letter to him.