We recently connected with Jono Madison and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jono, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
It is crucial to stand out, especially to be the only person in the room that looks like me. Let’s face it I’m a brown, flamboyant wanna be goth kid, I kinda stick out. For myself, It is imperative to carry a persona to go with it, which is something that has helped me stand out. What I have found to be effective has had to of been my dark sense of humor. Yeah at times I will go somewhere, but with good intentions to create a connection and to read the room. That complemented with my vibrant personality, together they have helped me stand out. It is not just to be outlandish or anything, more so to be memorable. That has been my most powerful asset when connecting to my clients and creating a lasting impression.
But also important to show your personality, because it sets you apart, which makes you original. Just be you, memorable and kind. It is easier said than done, but being who you are is what’s going to make it work. Playing a character can help as well, but at the same time keeping it up is whole other thing. Because once you break character, it might rub someone the wrong way. At the end of the day, just be you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Jono Madison, I am a queer visual artist living in Los Angeles, California. My main medium is Photography, but you can always find me making props, designing outfits, playing with makeup, and including myself into my photography as well. I love to be fully involved with all projects I’m apart of, creating details and storytelling has always been my passion.
For the past ten years, I have mainly worked with men, creating a book of men’s fashion book and vibrant study. Majority of the all of my work is tasteful, and influenced by classic male form from Greek and Roman statues. I also have a commercial side, which is super clean and polished images you find in advertising and editorial work. I guess you can say they’re two distinct differences in the caliber of work I shoot, but I love it!
I’m currently working on building a video production portfolio, working with a small production team I have worked with for years. We have several video productions planned for the remainder of the year, and I am extremely excited to showcase my directing side. As well as bringing these brand new concepts to life these are ideas that are very storytelling and visually appealing. I also include myself into my personal work, and was given an opportunity to produce content with brand that I have only dreamed of working with and in the process of getting myself in better shape and lost over 40 lbs of post covid weight, it’s been a slow process but I’m doing it very healthily and all naturally. I’m hoping to share a few teasers in the coming months and of course the brand. To see any of my future projects make sure to follow my socials and my website down below.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on what was most impactful to my journey that has helped me with my craft was doing my research. It is educational, many of the themes and concepts I have created. I’ve done so much research and was able to educate myself on those parts of interest. In any caliber of work, having the details that go into it that will make your work stand out that much more.
Understanding the medium in which you’re working with and experiment with it. An example would be Hair, and me as a photographer if I photograph that depending on the type of light, whether if it’s reflective or not, it can give a different appearance and print or display. So playing around with it in different situations can help elevate the type of work you are looking to create.
Test, I have performed so many test shoots of where I’m just trying something out and the outcome was beautiful! Of course have an understanding of what you’re doing before you actually execute the shoot. But bringing all these together as your plan to master your craft, and make a truly impactful work of art. But these examples couldn’t be possible without the drive, to have the need to make this that good. It will feel like a full time job because the more work you put into it is what’s going to make it pay off in the long run, and it will never really be a job if it’s something you love.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
In this situation, you gotta go big or go home, there’s sacrifices and things that you have to do in order to get to where you need to be. Now you have to be smart, you might have to have a back up plan so financially always have a side hustle. Just so you’re able to support yourself if things go slim when pursuing your dreams. But don’t be afraid to go all in, because you won’t lose anything when its your passion.
When I first started photography, I had two jobs and went to school and still managed to be able to create my first portfolio, along with going to networking events. It didn’t stop me from feeling like all my time is being wasted at a job and having to be in school, nor let myself feel less motivated to create something. I used everything to my advantage to be able to still create, and to do what I really wanted. If you feel that there is something/someone weighing you down or holding you back, cut them off, they are not going to support you emotionally of physically, they’re unnecessary with no need ro be in your life. Sounds harsh, but speaking from experience the ones I left in the past have helped me soar so much higher. At the end of each day, was I tired and felt like I didn’t have a personal life, yes, but that’s always going to be there. You have to ask yourself, how badly do you want this? Once you have that answer, everything will come into place because it’s something that you’re meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jonophoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonophotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jono_photo
Image Credits
Alex Micheal Torres
Isaac Dawson
Lauren Sill
Manila Luzon
Devin Walker
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
