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The Eye Behind the Lens
It's commonly said that a camera takes what it sees. However, the right light, direction, and angle from the eye of a skillful photographer will behold the inconspicuous or special beauty of the subject. Michael Scott Jones photographed our first CHiC Shoot to capture modern, beauty images of women of color. More than just another photographer, MSJ is an image maker specializing in beauty, glamour, nudes and entertainment, with proven CHiC images and a winning online portfolio.
Lights, Camera, Passion
Michael Scott Jones has two loves in life: women and photography. "What a more wonderful way to bring them together than through beauty. I love making women beautiful," he explains in an adopted Trinidadian accent (a token taken from a relationship with an Island woman) and with a cool, slanted smile. MSJ has a charm and accommodating temperament that made him a pleasure to work with. It was a welcome change given many photographers can be short-tempered. That's the MSJ difference, a pure love for subject. MSJ has been a student of photography his entire life. His mother is an art photographer (abstract and still life) and his grandfather enjoyed photography as a hobby. The desire to impress upon existing and to encourage new outlets to showcase black women and women of color drew him to beauty photography. MSJ is focused on mastering the art & science of photography to make his mark through unique imagery.
A Different Look at Things
MSJ is a self-classified entertainment and beauty photographer, but his takes aren't what you expect. His portfolio stands out. His catalog of images unearth and bring into relief an artist's persona set against their performance surrounding; yet, the setting comes off natural unlike typical posturing and assuming backdrops. MSJ's aura photography has included shoots of stars including Herbie Hancock, LL Cool J, Bonnie Rait, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Anthony Hamilton, NAS, and Grace Jones. His title client is iTunes, an Apple company, for who he shoots album covers, artist portraits, events and concerts. Before becoming self-employed, he was director of multimedia for Volume.com, an HBO company. His break in taking celebrity photos came from attending events such as Fashion Week for HBO and noticing at that time that no one was photographing them. He rented a long lens camera and shot Destiny's Child, Jill Scott, and Erik Badu at his first planned event, the Essence Festival in 2001.
While his photographer peers may only chase top-bill clients and models, MSJ supports art, outside of mainstream. His beauty shots of women of color include up and coming models. To him, positive portrayal of black beauty is crucial. Although hip hop is a powerful medium that has told some of the stories of people of color, he feels hip hop has also distorted our story. The imagery of black women has been reduced to the least common denominator of vulgarity. "When I post for a beauty or glamour shot, many black women instinctively send me shots of their ass," MSJ says with disgust. "My ambition is to elevate black women's self-image and encourage them to view their bodies above that of sex objects through tasteful photography."
Against the odds of limited outlets and close-minded views, MSJ images openly celebrate black women. With this outlook, it's no wonder his images are picture perfect.
~Bernie
Check out Michael Scott Jones's website in the Photographers category of CHiC Links.
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