From Travel to the River: How Jemar Sweets Built LensWorthy Imagery

• Asia Tabb
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  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
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AIRED; January 20, 2026

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Travel didn’t just inspire Jemar Sweets’ love for photography — it shaped the way he sees the world. Sweets said his interest began as a teenager after his parents enrolled him in the People to People travel program, which took him to countries including China, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, and Jamaica. “It’s just amazing to experience life at a good age,” Sweets said. “It taught me and brought me who I am today.” Those early experiences, he explained, gave him a broader perspective and a desire to inspire others to explore beyond their hometowns. “It’s not always about being rich or poor or having finances,” he said. “It’s about having the mindset to get out of your hometown and see what it’s like.”

Now based in Harrisburg, Sweets has turned that mindset into a business through LensWorthy Imagery, offering photography prints alongside a growing home décor collection that includes wood prints and pillows. He said the move to Harrisburg pushed him to evolve creatively. “When I first moved to Harrisburg, I started a home decor collection because all my photography was just about prints,” Sweets said. “I wanted to do something different.” His work often focuses on cityscapes and people outdoors, a preference he says reflects his desire for movement and authenticity rather than staged studio sessions. “I can’t do inside — it’s too boring for me,” he said. “I love outside.”

One of Sweets’ most distinctive approaches involves photographing Harrisburg landmarks from the Susquehanna River while standing on a paddleboard, a practice that has drawn both attention and criticism. “A lot of people are not used to seeing Black people on the river,” Sweets said, noting that reactions were especially challenging at first. Still, he remains committed to the work, emphasizing preparation and safety. “I have a leash on my paddleboard. I have a life jacket, and I can swim,” he said. Among his most iconic images is a photograph taken at Machu Picchu, a trip inspired by conversations with friends from Peru. “You don’t hear a lot of people saying they’ve been to Machu Picchu,” Sweets said. “I loved every moment of it.” Through travel, risk-taking, and a willingness to follow his passions, Sweets continues to build a body of work that reflects curiosity, culture, and connection.