Edward:  Hello Beau, nice to have you here with us! Tell us about yourself.

Beau:  Wow! Open ended question…well, I grew up in Birmingham, AL…I have two younger brothers and an older sister. Pretty close with my family. I’m the oldest son and I’m the only one to leave B’ham for my career. I was educated at Bama and Duke and I worked in Miami after I was done with school. I am an avid tennis and beach volleyball player. I workout…if I have to do so.

Did I mention that my guilty pleasure is shoes? I’ve got a bunch here in LA and even more in NYC. Crave the newest and coolest. Crazy! All and all, pretty simple man. Love being outside…as long as the weather is not Georgia hot and humid!!! Can’t do it. I love my family and friends

Edward: How did you become interested in a career as a photographer? And how do you define your style?

Beau:  Well…I did a short stint as a fitness model and while working, I was always fascinated with the cameras and equipment and even more, the finished product. So, I got a 35mm and started shooting my friends in Miami that were modeling, too. If you remember Niki Taylor, a supermodel in the 90’s…well, I became friends with Nik and Barbara (her mom) and they encouraged me to pursue it. And when you have Niki Taylor giving your work props…well, that was all that I needed. Therefore, I feel that my style has found a place in the classic beauty/handsome genre. Clean…sexy…and simple…Timeless. Not many bells and whistles.

I want to be around as a photographer in 40 years. So, I shoot with that in mind. My images have the proclivity to be in a model’s book one, three or even five years after we’ve worked together. Never to feel dated by lighting techniques and/or styling.

Edward:  Do you think the digital era really helped the photographers concerning aspects like quality and technology?

Beau:  Ahhh the digital era…when I switched from film to digital it was easier than I had anticipated. There is sooo much that you can do in post-production that it makes it kind of fascinating. Love my digital camera!!

NO…I remain appreciative for all that film provides…particularly when shooting black and whites.

But…technology has provided an avenue for further creativity to be explored in the digital era. Therefore, in my opinion, quality has not been sacrificed in light of the digital era…I think digital has made it easier for business internationally.

Edward:  Do you think the society we live image worth more than a thousand words?

Beau:  IMAGE is EVERYTHING!!!! And IMAGES show everything…as long as they are untouched…LOL!!!

So, society may believe what they see in publications, and therefore, view the people in the images to maybe be more or less than what they perceived. I say…DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE IN PICTURES. 

It’s a fantasy business folks!!!!

Edward:  I’m sure you may have some unusual/funny backstage stories. Share some of them with us?

Beau: 

1. Let’s just say, “Black man…white linen pants…no shirt or shoes…runway with 10,000 watts of “white light poppin”…FORGOT to wear underwear!!!  How ya like them apples?
2. Also, a designer coming backstage after a show and praising the performance… He rewards everyone by saying everything from the racks can be taken home…EXCEPT anything with GREEN in it!!! WTF? Some people got hurt though;
3. One more…working the Jovovitch-Hawke show and one of the models actually said, “I can’t turn left.” As sincere as the pope at mass on Easter. I had to walk out because I almost laughed in her face. Zoolander…you get it?

Edward:  What advice would you give to models and the aspiring ones?

Beau:  ENJOY the ride! So much of this industry is about timing! If you’re serious about making it as a model, then treat it just like other serious matters in your life. Diet, exercise and hygiene…they all play into a photographer’s/client’s decision on bookings. Also…follow your gut.  Remember that you have to look at yourself for the rest of your life…we only get to look at you for maybe a few years.

For those trying to get in, here’s the thing…there CAN BE a spot for everyone in the modeling world.  HOWEVER…SOME do commercial print. OTHERS do fashion. VERY FEW do it all.  Take an honest look at yourself and decide the path you’ll take. Find an agent that believes in you and has a direction mapped out for your career.  If it’s copasetic…go for it!

Edward:  There must be special moments when you feel you have captured a perfect picture…Share this passion with us? How does this special moment happen?

Beau:  The funny thing is that…I rarely can orchestrate the moment when it all comes together and you get that “wow” shot. Hair. Make-up. Styling. Location. Time of Day. What the model has gone through the day before.

Whether I’m giving good direction. So many variables…but when you see it…you know it…and you are SOOOO  STOKED! When I see it through the lense, I know it. But, sometimes you need the affirmation from the peanut gallery. The image hits the monitor and someone may gasp or clap or say “Wow”. That’s when I move on to the next shot!!

Edward:  If you could select 5 fantastic places around the world for shooting, which one’s would you choose and why?

Beau: 

• Fiji-because the culture is so beautiful. I’d love to do a photojournalistic story of the Fijian tribes and their customs. I was there as a guest but would love to be there for work.
• Lake Zurich- because of the beauty of that little city. The lake is sparkling and so very clean. It’s nestled in the foothills of Zurich. Just gorgeous.
• South Africa-cause I’ve wanted to go there for awhile now. Shoot on one of the lost beaches. Shoot atop a Rover during a safari. Blah Blah Blah.
• Amsterdam—cause it’s sexy and dangerous, but not really! The paradox is captivating. What a culture and BEAUtiful people.
• And finally, a black sand beach in Hawaii—have you seen the “Wicked Game” video with Chris Isaac and Helena Christensen? Nuff said.

Edward:  If a model wants to work with you, how do they get in touch?

Beau:  Well, I just moved to Los Angeles. So, LA is my new hub now. Back and forth to NYC is no problem. I can always be contacted at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ... send polaroids, face and full body, attached to an email. It may take awhile to get a personal response. But, I PROMISE, it will be personal. Thanks for hangin’ with me. Good luck with everything. I think you guys are on to something great here!! Glad to be a small part of it! Take care!

Website: http://www.beaujonesphotography.com/