To make a long story kinda short…
I began photographing Harlem & Brooklyn in 94’ after my father gave me a camera and told me to shoot my environment. I made a name for myself in the hip-hop industry, creating marketing concepts and campaigns for early tastemakers. I enrolled in Bard College, studying with author Chinua Achebe and photographers Larry Fink & Steven Shore. Larry suggested I attend Pratt Institute to be closer to my subject matter and assisting work. After college I worked for magazines as a freelance photo editor while managing several of NYC’s busiest commercial photo studios.
Witnessing the photo industry go digital, I realized it was time for a change. Working with leading photographers had taught me the value of process, which I learned to translate into Agile & Waterfall methodologies. I got together with a few friends, partnering with Derrick “D-nice” Jones to handle accounts for Chris Lightly’s Violator Management. We had a blast creating early digital campaigns for Alicia Keys and others.
Soon after I joined Y&R as part of their first digital team and since then I’ve developed campaigns for some of the worlds largest organizations & brands, leading teams to accomplish the seemingly impossible.
My sweet spot is managing innovation by marrying art, insights and technology.
- JM