Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Jones Jr.
Hi Richard, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I still remember picking up a camera for the first time in my middle school photography class and feeling a sense of wholeness. Being taught about lighting, composition, and even more specifically which films to use, how to insert the film & even how to develop it on my own made me fall in love with the entire process. In high school, although I was not shooting on film, my love for videography was born in my digital media class where I was taught how to edit various videos using Adobe Premier. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I started to seriously pursue my videography through my time spent as a Producer with The Maroon Tiger as well as creating my short film for a film festival. Even after the unforeseen events that took place in March 2020 when the whole world had to quarantine, I was able to rediscover my first love which was film photography. Since then, I have not only continued to grow in my craft, but I also have realized that I have found my passion and all of my favorite and most formative moments have been spent behind a camera.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey as a creative has been far from easy, but I would not change my experience for anything. The biggest obstacle I think I faced as a creative has been my self-doubts. Not thinking that my work is as good as others as well as doubting that I can pursue my creative interest as an actual career, has been two of the biggest roadblocks for me on my journey. While they have held me back in the past, I have learned to not compare my work to others because every artist has their own story to tell and no two are the same. I also had to learn that as long as my passion is there and I continue to put the work in I can achieve anything that I put my mind to. Not saying every day is going to be easy, but as long as you stay committed and keep putting yourself out there, then there is no limit to what can be achieved.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Whenever asked what I do, I used to get anxious because I do a lot of different things within the creative realm. Now I confidently answer that I am a multifaceted artist who specializes in photography, videography, visual art, & digital art as well. I would say my proudest moment as an artist has probably been introducing my younger brother to film photography and seeing not only how interested he is but also how great he is at it as well. I would say that when it comes to any of my mediums what sets me apart is my level of detail as well as the intent behind what I create. Behind every photo, video, or painting there is always a message that I am trying to tell through my chosen medium whether it be about love, race relations, or even more personal issues I’m facing in my own life.
What makes you happy?
Honestly as corny as it sounds creating makes me happy. Being able to catch the perfect shot or being able to bring my thoughts to life in video or on canvas brings me the most amount of joy. It’s just something about seeing something in your head and then having the ability to bring it to life that is just so fulfilling. Also, being able to share my creations with my loved ones and see their reactions to what I’ve created is what truly makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: shotbyrichh@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotbyrichh/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlNvKMfBey0QTyzkd3ieqA
