Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Harris.
Hi Jonathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Washington DC where I learned to hustle. Not in the sense of drugs or anything like that but my talents. For 7 years I worked at radio-one headquarters as a promotions coordinator which is when I got my first camera. It wasn’t to become the photographer I am today but just to get coverage of my events. Through the years I got better and better and eventually, clients requested pictures of their artist. Then one day I got a call in which the person on the other end asked if I could take pictures for Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” event in collaboration with Beyoncé. Excitedly, I responded “I would love to”. That day when I got there with my radio team, we met at a school where Mrs. Obama was expected but there was no sign of her or any other press. I did see one other cameraman looking as confused as I was. The principal at the school said Mrs. Obama was about to pull up and the security detail asked if everyone could be in a central location outside. Still no press as the security detail sweeps through the crowd. I turn around to see Mrs. Obama standing right behind me. She smiles and greets me giving me a big hug saying “thank you for being here”. She heads towards the sea of kids and gets on the mic to speak. Then she began to dance with the school staff and members from the radio team I came with. I snapped as many pictures as I could but my skills at that time weren’t up to par. Later the next day I got calls requesting access to my photos since the press wasn’t invited beside myself and the other photographer. My pictures were everywhere. I would then reconnect to Michelle Obama later in life through a young girl named Parker Curry whose pictures would go viral. Everyone from Good Morning America to CNN to Access Hollywood called and requested to use those images. An old friend Raheem Devaughn contacted me saying he needed a photographer and I did a lot of work with him. Now to date I’ve been in at least 82 magazines, and countless shows. I’ve created several viral moments which solidify my name.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Through my journey I’ve had to deal with some of the closest people to me loss of life, confidence battles not thinking I’m good enough, several moments of depression. I had to also had to overcome my pride to be able to learn more.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer/cinematographer. What separates me from others is that I don’t like to pose people. I feel like posing presents a since of fakeness and personally, I love true emotions and expressions.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Just be a true you and a hard worker!
Contact Info:
- Email: Jonathan@jeanmarcphoto.com
- Website: Jeanmarcphoto.com
- Instagram: @jeanmarcphoto
Image Credits
Raheem Devaughn
Parker Curry
Anthony Hamilton
Talaya Waller
Asia the model
Michelle Obama
Shavanna Marcia
