Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Jones.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in Arizona, I was known as that goofy ADD kid with a lot of random talents. They ranged from playing soccer, golf, basketball, clarinet, trombone, guitar. It wasn’t until recently that I started playing the blues harmonica which has been a lot of fun! School was always a struggle for me. I couldn’t solve a calculus problem to save my life but I could take a picture like a boss! Photography was the one thing that hooked me the moment I picked up the camera. I started using my dad’s sweet 35mm Canon- the same one he used in college. I took my first photography class in high school and my photo teacher, Mrs. Lynch, was a huge influence on me. She would let me stay after school to use the darkroom to develop my photos. When I graduated she gave me a photo enlarger to set up a dark room in my own home.
After high school, I explored video production because I wanted to make movies, which lead me to acting. I got a couple of small acting gigs, thought I was big stuff and thought I could make it in the big leagues. So when my buddy Zach asked me to move out to California I jumped at the opportunity. A month later I moved from Arizona to Los Angeles to be ‘original’ and pursue an acting career. After a couple years of trying to get into show biz, I realized that I found it to be a lot more fun behind the camera than in front of it.
That was when I decided to go back to my roots and do what I really love and passionate about. So for the past 4 years, I have been working hard to improve my photography skills and really make my art and my talent an extension of the way I see the world. It hasn’t been easy but it has been an incredible journey so far and I am so stoked for what adventures await.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh man! As any artist will tell you, trying to make ‘it’ in LA is anything but smooth sailing. One of my best friends told me before I moved that my first year living in LA would be one of the hardest years of my life and holy crap she was right!! Everyone knows Los Angeles is a very cut-throat city. Living here has made my skin a little thicker and it taught me the value of having quality authentic people in my life.
Thankfully, I have been lucky enough to have a few of those quality people in my life to lean on when things don’t go as planned. If it were not for my awesome family and friends sending love from Arizona or my friends I’ve met here in California, I would not have made it. 10 years later, I’m only falling in love with this city more and more!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Tim J Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
People have always told me that they love the vibrant colors that are in my photos. Funny thing because I’m actually color blind. It’s something that has always messed with me but I’ve learned to harness and embrace the challenge and turn it into an advantage over other photographers because I literally see the world differently than most and I love it!
I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot different types of photography like; weddings, lifestyle, studio modeling, engagement photos, and even kids birthday parties. But out of all of those shooting the ocean and surf are my main loves.
There aren’t many sports on this earth that are as gutsy, breathtaking, or beautiful to watch than surfing. The rush I get taking pictures of men and women dropping in on a massive wave (that would literally kill my butt if I paddled out) is such a big adrenaline rush I feel like I’m on the wave with them.
The thing I love most about photography is that I get the opportunity to show people a side of the planet (or even themselves) that they’ve never seen before and may not get to see. The ocean and our planet is such a beautiful place so if I can take pictures of these things and share our beautiful world with people thousands of miles away that may never get to see it; it’s all worth it.
I’m always looking to work with new talents that can help me grow in my art! If that’s you, please reach out so we can be friends in real life!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I only see photography progressing in the future. I am a little more old-fashioned so I hope people will still take the time to learn how to frame, shoot, and edit quality pictures and not just rely on that fancy pants portrait mode on their iPhonesX. There will never be an adequate substitute for quality work and a trained eye.
I am incredibly lucky to have my family and friends close to my side throughout this journey! I hope and pray that there are still teachers out there, like Mrs. Lynch that can encourage kids to develop their art regardless of the circumstances they face.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.timjones.photography/
- Email: TimJ_Photography@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timj_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timmyjphotography/
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