My name is Jonny Edward. I am a fashion and editorial-portrait photographer, creative director, and inspired educator based in Denver, Colorado. I suppose I have become known as somewhat of a self-portraitist, as well. My great passions in life are people, humanity, and photography. The latter emboldens me to connect with and uplift the former. I consider myself a visual storyteller, and, to that end, my work tends to be very narrative driven.
As a photographer, the means through which I communicate my vision and express myself artistically are the sublime interplay of light and shadow. Since I was a young boy, the dynamic dance of contrast has entranced me. I was always fascinated by dappled sunlight pouring through the tree line and the chaotic, grandiose symphony of lights, at night, in downtown Chicago.
Photography found its way into my world at a formative age. For many reasons, my family traveled around a lot. I was always saying goodbye, always leaving people, places, and things behind. At some point, I was given a Polaroid camera which, from then on, rarely left my side. The camera and the collection of prints I stored in an old shoebox provided me with a profound sense of stability and ease. Being able to tangibly hold onto treasured memories and ephemeral moments was not unlike magic. I was transfixed.
Down the line, I put the camera away around adolescence and did not pick one back up with any sort of keen interest or conscious intent for nearly 20 years. In the time between, I studied biochemistry in college and owned a gym, became an EMT and worked in the financial sector, started and sold a landscaping business, functioned as a B2B consultant in the digital marketing industry, crafted copy on a freelance basis, tended bar and produced events, and lived countless other iterations of myself personally and professionally.
All the while, I was acutely aware of the fact that something was missing—somethings; art, purpose, and passion. When I bought my first DSLR, a Pentax K3, it was sort of like reconnecting with an old friend. The camera in my hands just sort of felt right; to look through the viewfinder, compose the frame, and click the shutter. Once again, I was transfixed, and I began shooting prolifically.
At first, most of my shots were street, landscape, and flowers. I literally have hard drives full of nothing but flower photos. My camera was always with me. I felt like I had, cliche as it may sound, found a piece of myself lost long ago.
Somewhere along my journey, someone suggested that I try my hand at photographing people. So, I set off to start creating portraits. That’s when everything truly clicked—pun somewhat intended. My camera suddenly became a means to help individuals feel seen, heard, respected, and celebrated. For me, the act of creating portraits was and is born from genuine connection and empowering authenticity.
Fast forward nearly two years, and I found myself at the helm of my first fashion shoot. I’ve always been a fashionable gent, and though the industry can be vacuous and vexing at times, I’ve been forever fascinated with the realm of fashion. Curating a team of incredible artists and then creating alongside said team was a compelling and fulfilling experience. The energetic synergy of so many plying their art toward a unified vision and the byproduct of that collective effort was magical. Like the camera in my hands, shooting fashion—especially the editorial variety—just felt right.
Seemingly out of nowhere, people were seeking me out to hire, retain, and commission me. I was getting paid to create and pursue my passions. That was never my aspiration, but if you ask me now, I’ll happily tell you that I’m doing what I’m meant to do. I genuinely believe that photography is my calling, and I am so grateful to be doing what I love every day.
I shared that background because it creates some context and depth for my relationship with our art form. It’s not an exaggeration to say that photography quite literally saved my life. I feel indebted to the craft and strive every day to honor my origins, and all that photography has done for me as a man, artist, professional, and human being.
Similarly, when acquiring gear or building industry relationships, I seek to work, create, and align with entities with similar core principles. I also believe that a kit is secondary to vision, ingenuity, and knowledge and that the highest cost does not necessarily equate to the best option.
Since I purchased my first off-camera flash unit, a Flashpoint Streaklight 360, Flashpoint gear has been essential to my growth and success as an artist and professional. I’m so honored and excited to be a Flashpoint Creator! Not only to be on the roster of an industry titan, but to now have a platform from which I can effectively share my knowledge, experience, and journey to embolden fellow creators with the skills and confidence to chase and realize their own dreams.
The only thing louder than destruction is creation. Never stop creating, and never relent when pursuing your passions. You’re worthy and deserving of your dreams. You’ll get to where you want to be if you simply do not stop.
Here’s to art, to life, and to all artists! I’m so excited about what the future holds, and I am so excited to be part of this incredible community with all of you.
See more of Jonny’s work at jonnyedward.com and on Instagram @jonnycreative.
Feature photo courtesy of Jonny Edward