Chris Jones | shot by the robot photography and design

Featured Interview

What role do you play in your Industry?

I'm awesome at what I do, and my role is to get the hero shot, once we get THAT shot everything becomes smooth, we feed off each other whether that be the model, or the client. My role is to convey the message the client is going for which is sometimes plain ol make this person look dope.

What year did you start in your industry?

I was bullied into shooting my first wedding in 2015 when I thought photography would be just a hobby. Over the years I realized if I can make the same money doing photography as I do working a regular job why not pursue it, the pandemic made me basically start over from scratch after getting some momentum built but I haven't given up on making this a full time gig.

What Certifications, Degrees, Titles and Experience do you have in your industry?

I've been working in the industry for 7 years now, with both commercial and personal clients. Outside of just completing a portfolio of work I'm proud of my biggest industry accomplishment would be getting my photos published in a red bull esports article.

Why & How did you get involved in your industry?

Honestly as a fluke, I've always been someone that liked taking photos, use to have point and shoot cameras in my pocket to take photos when hanging out with friends. I eventually got into blogging viewing graphic design and fashion blogs made me want to take better photos. As I learned more about it and got bettered. I got bullied into shooting my first wedding and even my first senior portrait which went virial due to the quote attached. (search Michelle Ho senior photo, it should pop up as the first result in google images).

What do you love most about your role in your industry?

The look on their face when they see the first fire shot and I know I have their trust. Being able to put my talent to a real use.

What is the best advice you have received about how to impact your industry?

It's cliché but "Gear doesn't matter" I have taken work that is in my portfolio still with 10 year old cameras, and lens that are older than me. Lights that cost me 20 bucks on amazon, and backgrounds made from poster material I bought at Walmart.

What do you think are the top 3 things that help people excel in your industry?

1. The ability to learn on your own, photography requires you to learn through doing and while there are plenty of resources to learn from and you can find friends to help you have to do to get better. 2. Flexibility, as you get into this you should in my opinion should a large amount of things to find out what you like and also bolster your skills. I really enjoy landscapes having grown up in Colorado. I'm probably not going to make a lot of money doing that but composing these photos will help when I shoot with people using their environment, taking into account the shadows and bright lights across a mountain range. Not blowing out the sky, underexposing to bring it back later in post. 3. Shooting for yourself, you'll find that what you put out is what you get, so if you're not getting the work you want, you have to create it yourself.

What encouragement would you give to those who are interested in being in your industry?

It has been done, so it can be done again, no matter what that means to you, for me currently that's looking at awesome photographers in Colorado making a living shooting the kind of work I want to produce.

What do you think is the most important qualities for people to have in your industry?

Pure bullheadedness lol. I'm very much an introvert and it's tough for me to put myself out there, but behind a camera I can go. There are a lot of days I could give up, sale off most of my gear and just shoot for me but I wouldn't be happy.

What obstacles have you overcome, or are you overcoming to excel in your industry?

As I mentioned, I'm an introvert so putting myself out there takes real effort. I have to make time to work on my craft while working my regular job which can be a hassle of course but if living off your craft was easy we'd all be doing it lol. Trying to break more into the commercial world of work is a bit tough as well so if you want photos for your brand or business holla at me.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

Who is is one person that has influenced your direction in life? Explain How.

There are a lot of people I have learned from but I would have to say Sandy Ho, she bullied me into shooting her wedding and realizing I can get shots like I did made me realize a few years later that I could do this.

What advice would you give to the younger generation?

Start now and keep going, gear doesn't matter so get you a cheap used camera and old film lens. Joey L is an amazing photographer out of Canada who started when he was 15 now he's a internationally known photographer.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want people to look at me and say if he did it I can do too. Especially black photographers that want to get out there and do things like commercial and fashion.