Ja'Mon Jackson, a photojournalist in the nation's capital, discusses his journey into photography, his work with the publication the Washington Informer and his thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence on photography.

Join us on Alternative Winter Break for an interview with photographer Ja’Mon Jackson, a professional photojournalist at the Washington Informer. Jackson seeks to engage his audience through various concepts that include strong symbolism, especially in the realm of minority issues and oppression. His strengths are documentary photography, and abstract concepts. Analyzing the reality around him, his goal is to shed light on the ideas of both positivity and negativity in the world, admitting that both exist and emphasizing that neither should be repressed to persuade an opinion.

Jacksons journey to a professional photographer

Jackson shared his journey from being an amateur to a professional photographer. He mentioned that his interest in photography was sparked during his time working at Walgreens' photo department back in 2012, where he was exposed to people's memories captured in photos. His passion was further ignited when he moved to DC in 2015 and got into the city's artistic scene.

"When I moved up here... I got into the artistic scene... they always needed something documented and it just kind of seemed like the perfect storm," Jackson described. From borrowing a friend's camera to shoot behind-the-scenes content for a music video to purchasing his own camera and tackling various forms of photography, Jackson pursued his passion and eventually became a professional photographer working for the Washington Informer.

Career Tip #1: The importance of investing in your craft even without immediate financial return

Ja'Mon Jackson, a photojournalist, discussed the early years of his career where he spent time developing his skills and eye for photography without earning money from it. He emphasized that the investment in your craft can take time and might not bring immediate financial returns, but the dedication and passion can eventually lead to opportunities.

"In 2017, I was 26-27 and I (thought) let's just see where it goes. I didn't start working for the Informer till I was about 29 so it definitely took a few years in between to take the next steps," Jackson explained. He also advised those interested in photography to start small, maybe with family and friends and gradually expand their networks.

Jackson also noted the crucial role of community in his journey, "Keeping close people that you love and appreciate because they're going to be the ones that help you nurture your craft while you do the work. They're doing work behind the scenes to help you in the best way that they can."

The role of artificial intelligence in photography

Jackson shared his insights on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on photography. He mentioned that AI has been helpful in streamlining his workflow, particularly through software that can quickly select photos from a large batch. However, he also expressed concern about AI's potential in generating images that could blur the line between real and fake.

"As of now, my introduction to the AI, for what I'm doing, it's helped a lot," Jackson said. He mentioned an AI program called Aftershoot, that fast selects photos, has been a significant help in his work. However, he also expressed some fears of AI's progression, "I don't want it to get to a point where we can't tell real from fake."

Career Tip #2: Document your own experiences

Jackson emphasizes the importance of documenting your own experiences. He notes that even in the age of social media and quick content turnover, photographers' role in capturing and preserving moments remains critical. He encourages young photographers to start documenting their experiences, beginning with their family and circle of friends.

"My piece of advice is to start off with your family and friends... if you're really into this or if it's something that peaks your interest, just start off small or take pictures of objects and buildings," Jackson said. He added that photography can start as a personal journey of documenting one's own experiences and expand into a larger network or even a professional career.

Two Major Influences on Jackson's Photography:

1. Environment

   • Jackson highlights the influence of the environment and context on his photography work. Living in DC offers him a chance to photograph a culturally rich environment, which is critical in his goal of documenting the Black experience. He also pointed out that there is always something going on in the city that can be captured through the lens.

2. Community

   • He underscores the significance of community in his work, stating that the sense of community in DC has played a significant part in his photography journey.

The power of photography is a medium for storytelling and self-expression. From capturing life's moments to preserving our personal experiences, photography has the ability to transport us to different worlds and evoke powerful emotions. Get out there, take a risk, leap towards your dreams and don't look back. Interested in launching your career in the creative arts? We offer free art classes for ages 12 to 22 online and in Washington, DC.