We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yaseen Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yaseen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I have worked on so far is my ongoing series and exhibition concept called “Everything Means Something.” It grew out of a moment when I realized that I had been creating on autopilot for years. I was producing beautiful images, documenting people, telling stories, but I had not slowed down to ask what those stories were saying back to me.

The project started during a season where life was loud and heavy. I was grieving, rebuilding, and trying to figure out how to keep showing up for my creativity while dealing with real life. I began photographing small gestures and objects that held emotional weight. A hand on a shoulder. A cracked window. An empty chair. I was trying to understand my own memories and the parts of myself I had overlooked. The images became a map of everything I had carried and everything I was trying to release.

It is meaningful because it marked a shift in how I see my role as an artist. It reminded me that storytelling is not just about the big scenes. It lives in the quiet and in the things we think do not matter. It also opened up conversations with people who saw themselves in my work. Folks would tell me that a single image made them think about their childhood or a tough season they had never talked about. That kind of connection makes all the long nights worth it.

“Everything Means Something” is the first time I allowed my work to be fully honest. It is a mirror for me and a bridge for other people. That is why it will always be important in my journey as an artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a visual artist, filmmaker, and founder of Shinee Studios, a production company based in the DMV that creates photography, film, and branded visual storytelling for schools, small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

I picked up a camera because I was always drawn to the beauty of capturing memories. Even before I understood aperture or lighting, I understood the feeling of wanting to hold onto a moment. I did not want experiences to disappear. I wanted to preserve the way people looked at each other, the energy in a room, the quiet in between conversations. What started as curiosity turned into purpose. Over time, that purpose turned into a business.

My work lives at the intersection of emotion and strategy. I create imagery that feels personal but also serves a clear function. From school photography and branded commercial content to documentary storytelling and creative portraiture, I help people translate what they feel into something visual and lasting. A lot of clients know what they want their audience to experience, but they struggle to express it visually. I bridge that gap. I listen deeply, observe carefully, and build work that feels honest and aligned.

What sets me apart is my attention to the small things. The subtle expressions. The gestures that most people overlook. I am not just documenting events. I am documenting meaning. At the same time, I run a tight ship. I value professionalism, clear communication, organization, and making sure every client feels supported from start to finish. Creativity matters, but so does trust.

I am most proud of the relationships I have built. Families who call me year after year. Schools where students recognize me in the hallway. Organizations that trust me to tell their stories with care. I am also proud of the personal work that pushes me to be vulnerable, like my project “Everything Means Something,” which explores memory, healing, and the weight of everyday moments. Those projects remind me why I started.

If there is one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it is that I care deeply. I care about the story. I care about the people in front of my lens. I care about how the final image or film will live on years from now. My work is about preservation, connection, and intention. That has always been the foundation.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is watching something that started as a feeling turn into something real that connects with people. There is nothing like the moment when someone sees their story, their truth, or their memories in an image or a film I created. It feels like proof that the work is bigger than me.

I love the process of translating emotion into something visual. It is rewarding to take a moment that could have passed by unnoticed and honor it. It reminds me that art can slow people down. It can ground them. It can help them see themselves in a new way.

I also love the way this work allows me to move through different communities. One day I am photographing a school where kids light up when they see the camera. The next day I am documenting a small business that has been building their dream for years. The next I am creating something deeply personal for my own projects. Being able to shift between those worlds keeps me inspired and reminds me why I started.

The most rewarding part is knowing that what I create will outlive the moment it was made in. Memories fade, but the work stays. And if it made someone feel seen, understood, or uplifted, that is everything to me.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely. I wish I understood earlier that creativity is only half the journey. The other half is business.

When I first started, I was focused on making beautiful work. I thought if the images were strong enough, everything else would fall into place. What I did not realize is how important contracts, pricing structure, client communication, taxes, and workflow systems are. Learning how to protect your time and your art is just as important as learning lighting or composition.

I also wish I had known more about community based grants and artist funding opportunities earlier. There are so many resources for creatives that go untouched simply because no one tells you they exist. Artist residencies, local arts councils, mentorship programs, and small business development centers can completely change the trajectory of your practice if you tap into them early.

Another big one for me was understanding that you do not have to figure everything out alone. I used to think I had to build quietly and prove myself before asking for guidance. Now I see the value in mentorship, collaboration, and even just having real conversations with other creatives about numbers, mistakes, and lessons learned.

And honestly, I wish I knew sooner that it is okay to evolve. You do not have to lock yourself into one lane forever. You can start as a photographer and grow into film. You can move from freelancer to studio owner. You can create personal art alongside commercial work. There is room for expansion.

If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be this. Learn the business early. Protect your creativity. Build real relationships. And do not wait for permission to take yourself seriously.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shineestudiosllc.com
• Instagram: @seenthephotog

Image Credits

Credit: “Everything means Something” https://shop.imagequix.com/s1050400826