Meet Isaac Jones | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Isaac Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isaac, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I don’t have a standard “career” or “professional” goal. I have random ideas that I believe would be fun to accomplish in my career, but there is not a list of career goals. If I had to define my biggest goal, it is to create something that out lives and out lasts me. I want to make something that people will help people remember me when I am gone.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I received my first camera as a college graduation present. I had no clue how to use it; I just loved taking photos everywhere I went, so I started bringing the camera with me constantly. Honestly, I have no formal training or education as a photographer, but once I had my camera, I started asking a lot of questions to any other photographer who would listen. If I couldn’t find an answer, I would use the internet to fill in the gaps.

Along the way, I discovered the photography that brings me the most joy is portrait photography. My favorite part of photography is meeting and capturing people. There is something truly special about capturing the essence of someone with a camera. At first, this was simple portrait work, but overtime, I found that I am inspired by color theory, weird angles, and creative concepts. I want to take a concept and then flip it on its head. I want to try weird ideas, experiment, and see what works.

Today, I believe my photography is constantly involving. The work I was doing today is dramatically different than the work I was doing last year, two years ago, five years ago, etc, and I want to keep involving, growing, and trying new ideas. During the last ten years, I have learned that you shouldn’t be afraid to try ideas, ask as many questions as possible, and build great relationships. I think those three concepts have been integral for my growth.

As for what sets me apart? I honestly have no clue. There are so many incredible photographers in Nashville alone. I hope that what sets me apart is the process of working with me. I want people to feel safe, comfortable, and collaborative whenever they create with me. As long as I am creating that environment whenever I work with people, then I feel like I am succeeding. There is no higher compliment to me than someone expressing that their photoshoot with me was the most fun they have had, or someone refers their friends and family to me because of their experience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a trick question! On weekends, I work as a local tour guide for Dabble Studios here in Nashville, so my list of places to visit fills pages and pages of a Google Doc. But, if I have to answer this question, I think visitors should experience the food of Nashville, the music of Nashville, and the history of Nashville.

For food, we would have hot chicken from the original hot chicken place, Prince’s, and for dinner, we would have an incredible meal at Margot’s in East Nashville. Around those meals, we would drink coffee at places like the Library Cafe or Retrograde, and we would drink cocktails at the Fox, Rosemary’s, or Barrel Proof.

For music, we would have to listen to old-school country music at Robert’s, and then we can bounce to some different spots in Printers Alley, like Alley Taps and Bourbon Street. But, if one of the artists I have photographed is playing locally, we would go listen to them first and foremost.

For history, I would probably give them an abbreviated version of the downtown history tour (you have to pay Dabble Studios for the full tour ! )

Even if none of those places worked out, I just love sharing Nashville with people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would want to recognize and say thank you to two groups of people:

First, I have deep appreciation to all of the photographers who allowed me to learn from them. I have never been afraid to ask questions, and I appreciate all of the different photographers who have been willing to answer them. Specifically, I appreciate David Morel and Ted Partin, who have taught me so much about studio lighting.

Second, I am thankful to all the people and organizations who allowed me to grow and practice when I was first starting with a camera. For example, Leah Hayes and Her Story of Success allowed me to learn event and portrait photography on the job. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to get better and gain valuable experience.

Website: jonesjamesisaac.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonesjamesisaac/

Image Credits
James Isaac Jones Photography