Contrast is King...

There is a great joy for me, when clients like to design with bold colors and contrasts, just as much as I like to photograph them.  Pastels from the same sleeve of a Pantone color bridge certainly have thier place, and sometimes a room of complimentary, soft and soothing earth tones are exactly what is needed. However when contrast works, it WORKS.

While I may seem biased, stay tuned for part 2 of this post, where I give love to the soothing, creamy, neutral tones I know many of you love.

Jason Jones Architectural and Interior Photography

The Devil is in the Details...

Getting some up close shots of design, is just as important as the whole room view. Good design is about every detail, and the sum of those for the whole.

Don't let good things go to waste using the widest lens [insert coolest camera gear mfg.'s name here] on sale last Black Friday for everything. Your design is personal, so get up close and personal with it!

My clients have enjoyed multiple ASID, AIA and NAHB awards for thier designs submitted with my photography. Let me help you get the recognition you deserve .

Jason Jones Texas Architectural and Interior Photographer

Have you ever felt like something had your name all over it?

JJ's Place in West Texas

I have a love affair with West Texas. Even in my first couple of years as a freelancer, jobs in the area past Weatherford, and not quite into New Mexico yet have always found me. It's a place I've always loved to visit, and theres a little something for everyone.

  I have driven I-20 back and forth between DFW and El Paso (in sections or wholly) literally hundreds of times. I never really thought about it, but I can't remember the last time I saw 20 Eastbound in the daylight, which explains why I have never laid eyes on this gem. Coming back from a job in the Permean Basin, I laid eyes on those two rusty steel J's from a mile away.

  For obvious reasons if you know MY name, you know why I stopped. I also happen to be a picking/antiquing/junking aficionado, so this was doubly exciting! The building has seen better days, and I'm sure this place didn't have a good reputation as a clean watering hole for thirsty families on their way to Dallas - and thats ok. It's rough around the edges, and a little more in between. Thats how I like it. I would have waded past some 3 patch bikers and outlaw truckers back in the day to sit on a stool in here when it was open, just to hear some stories and see "Texacana" in the making. Which brings me back to the point of this post....

  As I travel Texas, Ive been diligently photographing things like this and tucking the files away. I don't know what I'll do with them just yet, and honestly I had backed off the passion for doing it a little bit the last year or so because of how busy I've been with traveling to places other than Texas. I have a couple of coffee table book ideas floating around, and some fine art ideas to work on, but this was a great reminder that sometimes things have your name written all over them. Stop and look - It could be just the boost you/your spirt/passion needed.

Was it destiny? Success means different things Part 2.

Thankfully, I havent forgot to bring my
camera to a shoot since!

Getting film developed was a regular task then.

Do you think sometimes "this is what I was meant to do!"? I do. ALL the time. I struggled to find my place for many years in a different career, fighting the urge to quit because I feared the unknown. 

Fear of failure, fear of mistakes, fear of anything actually - has kept many good people from doing what they should be. Once you overcome it, so many possibilities reveal themselves, and the prior path to that point will look MUCH different when it's behind you, than it did in front of you.

Looking back, I think I was always supposed to be a photographer / producer. I certainly didn't run down that path the first chance I had, but it came back around when the time was right. So many opportunities I have had, would not look or be received the same a few years before they actually presented themselves.
My dad had this Yaschica 35mm SLR camera he bought so long ago I couldn't even tell you how old it is. He only had a couple of prime lenses for it, and it is as basic as it gets for a camera. But he traveled the world with it, and going through old photos, you can see the care he put into what he documented. He still has that camera some 45+ years later. Im actually VERY jealous of the simplicity and how it allows you to just focus (bad pun intended!) on the scene and craft. Devoid of all the modern features a $4000 DSLR has to make sure you nail the technicalities right off the bat.
Once I came along, dad didn't hang his camera up. He just drug me along. While it was always a hobby for him, he still took pride in what he did and his photos. Looking through old albums, it's like I was there, or it brought back the memories just as I remember them. I am quite certain (even if unintentional) he passed this on to me. My love for photography, as a job, hobby and craft, is certainly attributed to the childhood he gave me.

Dad in the early 70's, getting ready for
shore leave in Europe.

Texas and Oklahoma Architectural Photographer

Dallas Commercial Real Estate and Aerial Photographer

Jason Jones Photography's Instagram

#commercialphotographer #architecturalphotographer #photographylife #bts 

My instagram page and feed!

  I have to confess something - I avoided Instagram for quite some time. I keep facebook to just close friends and family members, and just didn't see any need for multiple social media outlets. I really didn't. When I went through my last image / business rebranding (which was long overdue), I decided to give Instagram a go, and see how it played out.

  I was shocked at what I had been missing out on! It was so much more intuitive for a photography business as a regular outlet. I shoot so many photos that never make it to my website, or they are behind the scenes stuff, etc. It's been a great way to share those "live", as I take them, instead of forgetting the image is on my phone for weeks. I do occasionally toss some portfolio stuff out there to remind my audience what it is I am truly passionate about doing - Commercial Photography.

  If you're bored, nursing a paper cut from writing a check to pay the water bill, or truly interested in what I do with my time on and off set, go have a peek at my Instagram!

Texas Advertising and Commercial Photographer Instagram Feed

Personal work - Keeping the spark alive.

Lido Key, near Sarasota Florida.

  I am a worker. My dad taught me to work from an early age. Always rise early, work late, complete the job you were paid to do on time. Things he still tells me today.  30 some-odd years later, I rarely ever sleep in, I cant remember the last time I was in bed by 9pm and I work until the job is done.

  The problem is - all work and no play makes me a dull fellow. I still love photography the same as when it was a hobby (despite the old saying "This job killed my hobby".), but it was rare that I got to do it for myself. Clients will always take precedence.

  About 5 years ago, when my travel work really picked up, and I was literally travelling coast to coast. I knew this was a golden opportunity to do a couple of things, and instead of "burning out" like some people do on the road, I made some solid decisions about my career, life and leisure.

1. Make my family part of it. They routinely come with me when I travel. We homeschool our kids for this reason, and enjoy every minute of it!
2. Every destination, after the job is completed, I take a small slice of time to see something off the beaten path, soak in some local culture, or just sightsee for things I'll never find in Dallas.
3. I continue to have time blocked off solely for personal work. In my case, I absolutely love shooting dramatic landscapes. I do not pursue them as a business or as part of my income. They cost me a fortune sometimes (travel) to take, but are worth every penny in sanity, and relaxation. Sometimes this time is integral with a destination a client has flown me to, sometimes it is just a specific goal I have had. I roll with the opportunities as they come.

I've been extremely blessed to have a large network of friends and clients, who have taken my personal work into their publications, galleries, offices and other places to exhibit, and occasionally sell, solely because they believe in me, and what I am doing. I've never considered myself an artist in the sense of a painter or sculptor (and still don't), but in a world of creating things to other people's specifications, this is my "no rules" outlet. And I love it.

 Below is some of my favorites of the many places that I have been able to travel, and take my family to enjoy with me. I may not be an Ansel Adams or Peter Lik, but if you'd like to spend 4 to 6 figures on a print, I'll forget all about that "not pursuing as a business" thing I mentioned earlier!

Be sure to follow my Instagram as well. It's regularly updated with a mix of personal work, behind the scenes photos, and general photography observations that would never make it to a portfolio site, or have a full blog post made about them.

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde Natl Park, Colorado

Maine

Boston, Mass.

Montauk Point, Long Island NY

Orizaba,  Mexico

Texarkana, Texas

Architectural photography.

  While I participate in several genres of photography, my favorite, and first choice is Architectural Photography.

  There is something about the the lines, materials and form that always call my name. I love to take it a step further and add a touch of the human element when I can for comparison to the organic world, and a sense of scale.

  I think my love for Architecture started long before I was involved in photography, but one of the "ah ha!" moments came for me when I was first starting out, assisting a local photographer who was shooting an editorial article on a house in Ft.  Worth, built by the Architectural legend, I. M. Pei. His work was almost entirely commercial buildings, but he did design a couple of residences. Standing in one of them (it is not anything open to the public or easily visited) was an honor. The commercial / industrial influences were very strong in the residential design and it felt very much like a museum, yet still warm and cozy, as a house should be.

  Being able to combine these elements of design was very influential on my eye and tastes when photographing projects. I always want to show form AND function of a space, with scale and human element. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is not. I ALWAYS love the challenge, and strive to perfect it.

Call or email Jason for a quote on your next project.

Texas Architectural Photographer

Texas Commercial Real Estate Photographer

Dallas Photography for Real Estate

Dallas High Rise Office Space...

The gorgeous new office space for the attorneys of the Dallas firm Strasburger has been one of my favorite projects this year. The new build out on the 60th floor of the Bank of America Building in downtown Dallas features only the best finishes and furniture.

The simple, yet functional interior design for this commercial office space is a stand out of the many real estate and design projects I photograph for Dallas' businesses each year. It actually makes my job easier when this is the kind of hard work so many people put into a space before I arrive with my team and gear. Wether it's a new law office for the country's top attorneys, or finish to suit retail space for lease, or anything in between, I can deliver the best representation for your design firm portfolio, brokerage, investor brochures, annual reports or any other reason you need to document your latest project or acquisition.

Contact me to discuss your Real Estate, Commercial property, or Interior Design photography needs and let's get the ball rolling!

Jason Jones Photography's contact information

Dallas Texas Architectural Photographer

Texas Commercial Advertising Photographer

General Tso's Chicken - Dallas Texas Food & Advertising Photographer

  While this dish is a 20th Century creation for the North American Chinese Cuisine market, I am quite confident that Zuo Zongtang, the man who the dish is named after, would be quite proud of it.

  As a food and advertising photographer, presenting simple dishes is harder than it seems. For me, it is a welcome challenge that keeps my mind sharp and creativity flowing. It's one of the things about photography I love so much.

  I would love to discuss your upcoming menu revamp, or new concept, and get you great images to represent your brand. With all the online options such as Yelp, UberEats, and a dozen other delivery and review services, great photos will make that first impression to get customers in your doors, or on your app to order.

Unexpected things always happen...

 Over the last decade, I have seen, or been privy to, just about every unexpected thing you can imagine on a photoshoot, or location set. While I have seen my share of bad things, most "unexpected" occurrences are pleasant, whimsical, or just downright funny. This was all 3 of those!

 While setting up for this bedroom shot, the homeowner's sweet Chihuahua/mix rescue didn't appreciate us straightening out her covers! She snuck up the backside of the bed, under the comforter, and poked her head out just as you see here.

  While no one can capture every great moment presented to them, part of being a professional is delivering the unexpected. Shots like these are not story boarded or discussed, they just happen. Making it worthy of the assignment you were shooting is even more difficult, but certainly in the realm of possible. I am always happy to surprise an editor with bonus material such as this, or an unplanned, gorgeous sunset shot off the balcony they didn't know they wanted. There is no rhyme or reason, you just have to be ready. Architectural and Interior design photography is my main niche, but delivering professional results EVERY time, no matter what I am photographing, is what I truly specialize in.

 Another cover, and feature spread! One of my favorite shoots this year, and it turned out great. Before I was a photographer, I worked in the automotive industry for many years. When I left that career, I said I was through with it and never looking back. However, life has a funny way of proving my mom's favorite saying of "Never say Never".  That being said, my automotive experience has landed me several photography clients in that sector, and that knowledge helps make the shoots much more pleasant than if I had never been in the back end of dealerships and service centers. It is actually refreshing to visit shops from a different perspective, and to interact with the staff and have working knowledge of the things we discuss, instead of acting like I understand long enough to "get the shot".

  Editorial and Advertising photography is something I have always enjoyed, and seeing my work in print when another magazine arrives in the mail is always exciting. I will NEVER grow tired of that!

Out and about

So I stopped in a Barnes and Nobel yesterday, and look what I saw! Yes I still get a little excited to see my work "out in the wild". No matter how many times I am published, this still feels like the first time I saw my picture on a magazine cover. It will never get old. EVER.

Jason