The Photographer Ken Jones
Even as a young child growing up in the heart of New York City, Ken Jones knew that he was meant to be an artist. Beginning as a passion for drawing, his artistic talents quickly blossomed to include design and a fascination with architecture. Encouraged by the support of his family, predominately his incredibly talented grandmother, Ken Jones applied to the Manhattan High School of Art and Design with a desire to major in architecture.
Able to begin at the prestigious school in his sophomore year, Ken quickly realized that his former interest in architecture was beginning to rapidly fade in favor of a brand new idea: Photography. "There was something about it that looked so much more interesting than what I was doing; something entirely different and exciting." He remarks. And unwilling to spend the rest of his career in a stuffy drafting room, he committed his life to his newfound passion.
His career as a photographer began in the field of Commercial Photography in a small restaurant. In order to promote the client's product, Ken was required to take a photograph where the subject was a lobster. "The distinctive part of this shoot was in the preparation: before I took a single frame I painted the lobster a deep crimson so that on film it would appear even more delicious, just like my client wanted." Even in these humble origins, Ken was dedicated to putting the desires of his customers first. And this philosophy has continued with him throughout his career.
Currently, Ken is collaborating with a designer and stylist on a series entitled: The Air & Motion Series. The project features a number of artistic images conceptualizing flight, movement, and landing. Ken's ongoing work with teams from the fashion industry includes personal projects designed to continually refresh and develop his style. A majority of contemporary Fashion Photographers simply follow current trends because they are afraid to take the risk of being original. "I aspire to be different, because different is refreshing." Ken states. And this personal motivation is the reason for the dynamic variety of his portfolio, and his clientele.
Over the last twenty-five years Ken Jones has built a commercial and client base for his Fashion and Editorial Photography. His work ranges from Corporate and Actor/Artist Headshots, to Beauty/Boudoir and Glamour shots, to Commercial Advertising. Ken has captured subjects in every industry including companies such as Prai Cosmetics, Fubu Entertainment, Limited Brands, Artisan Complete, Biacci, Ketchum, W Hotels, Oppenheimer Fund, Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, the Cipriani Group, City Parks Foundation, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Additionally, he has been privileged to work directly on Editorials for Magazines, including one where the main subject was Donald Trump. I have also worked with Montel Williams to promote his clothing line; Naomi Campbell to develop stills for a video project; filmmaker Amit Gupta for natural, candid portraits; the late Ed McMahon for a Muscular Dystrophy Association event, and many more.
