A Moment of Clarity with Isiah Jones

Written by Ciara Hendrix, originally published in August 2021 print issue

Before Jay-Z dropped his Black Album in 2003, Isiah Jones, a then high school Sophomore, picked up a camera in video production class at SCPA. He hasn’t looked back since. “A course in Black & White Photography at San Diego City College sparked a serious passion for photography,” he says. “I also had a friend who was part of a collective, and once she heard I was doing photography, she would reach out to me for jobs and collaborations.” Thanks in part to this outreach and Jones’ hustle & dedication, he was able to create a lane for himself. In his early work, Jones captured concerts & events as a nightlife shooter.  

Can you talk about what it’s like to be on a shoot with you?

“Being on a shoot with me is very laid back. I’m a big Hip Hop and R&B guy. I like to set the tone with some good music. Communication is key. A lot of photography and cinematography work entails creative direction. I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge on film making through my work.”  

What are some of your favorite locations to shoot around San Diego?

“Downtown has a nice vibe, and it wraps right around to the airport and along the coastline. A goal for me is to resume exploring around the city and find more locations to continue creating.”  

Isiah aims to capture the truest essence of SD with his landscape work. His photography style is one that implores the viewer to intentionally take in the essence of their surroundings. His landscape photos (also available as prints here) marry light and shadows in sublime, warm contrast. The work invites you to reimagine a familiar scene with fresh eyes.     

Jones’ portfolio is crisp and consummate. In addition to his aforementioned landscape work, his abilities extend to cinema & filmmaking,  lifestyle marketing, product, and portraiture photography. Ultimately, Jones plans to provide a multitude of media services as a full scale production studio.  

We’ve all been forced to pause and confront things the last year. How (if at all) has the pandemic contributed to your artistry? 

“The pandemic has given me a chance to get away from the world and reconnect with my community. Having the year to sit down & fall back from work, it gave me time to rethink why I got into this and who I’m doing this for.” 

Do you feel more aligned with your purpose these days in comparison to where you started?

“Yes. I come from a gang-ridden community in a part of southeast San Diego. I’ve seen a lot since I was a kid, and experienced my own set of troubles and traumas. I put a lot of dreams on hold out of fear of being judged, not being mature enough to handle things. But with this pandemic and the loss my family experienced last year, having something taken away from you will make you appreciate it more. So I definitely feel more aligned with my purpose after having this period of reflection.”  

As a business owner and multi-hyphenate in the creative sphere, Isiah knows the value of study as a path to proficiency. Jones fully comprehends that his gifts are bigger than him and is determined to maintain himself as a resource to his community in San Diego and beyond. His goal is to bring an artistic vision to his community. “I want to make films about the people around me, who I studied with. I want my work to always reflect where I come from,”  Jones says with assured conviction.