We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Henson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.
Jordan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of the more meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my Covid Courts portrait collection created during the Covid 19 shutdown.
On April 13th, 2020, I began documenting the result of social distancing due to COVID-19 and surrounding spaces.
The space of choice, local basketball courts in Montgomery County, MD as local park agencies and recreation departments begin taking down the actual rims or modifying them to enforce social distancing.
As the first few courts were documented and the lock down continued, I set a goal of photographing at least 3 courts a day. 40 courts were documented ending May 22nd, 2020. The images are from basketball courts located in Rockville, Bethesda and Silver Spring, MD. These locations are significant in that I would play on a majority of them during my adolescent years.
#Covidcourts examines a common park space of social engagement and exercise, the basketball court’s natural aesthetic, and the accompanying landscape as well. Some courts served as training grounds during Jordan’s youthful years while others were found again from moments in transit. There are also ones that have been hidden from view, only known to their neighbors and their neighborhoods with ALL being located organically without a search button.
Within the collection, there is the appreciation of stillness that challenged each day as lives were halted and redirected. Each image of the project was shot with one digital camera body, a Canon 5D Mark II and one lens, a Tamron 24-70g2 2.8. This allowed observation with intent and freedom.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Jordan Henson loves the use of light and natural framing when creating images as well as stories that convey emotion.
I grew up playing sports and not interested or aware of the “arts” but did enjoy buying disposable cameras to document moments with friends and family. Basketball payed for my college education and my parents started a new scrap book of images local and school photographers took while being a student athlete. I am self taught and began being interested how images were created in publications such as the Source, Vibe Magazine, SLAM, and Jet Magazine. I’m a sneaker collector and loved how Micheal Jordan/Nike commercials debuted each release with video and stills. So, a combination of things mentioned above pushed me into the industry I would say.
I really love creating portraiture images (Branding, Headshots,) but my photography capabilities also extend to travel, event photography and documenting family/love occasions. When being booked, I provide a professional experience of collaboration to create beautiful images which represent you, your special moment, and/or business. I also have began providing home decor pieces such as, decorative pillows and fine art prints pulled from my Blaq Star collection. The Blaq Star is my reflective journal of 6 days on the continent of Africa in 2019. I also take home decor inquiries based on images not in production.
I am proud to have been exhibited in a group shows such as, Look Hear at DuPont Underground in Washington, D.C in 2019, Honor : A Cultural Exchange Celebrating Black Art in 2020 in Annapolis MD, and the Rockville Art League (RAL) Winter Show in 2021 . His Covid Courts series was highlighted in Open Space, a blog developed through the National Recreation and Park Association which documented the impact of the recent pandemic on local recreation spaces in Montgomery County, MD. The series has since been self-published and serves as a living time capsule of local events during a pivotal moment in recent history with recent partnership opportunities with BLURB, the self-publishing platform used to create his book.
I love welcoming new challenges and clients. I would love to hear from you.
More work can be found at www.alexanderjah.com and on instragram @alexander_jah
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I’m not sure if this is an answer or more of an opinion/continued motivation for myself maybe others like me but, resources are EVERYWHERE. I use to always look at artists that I admired and said to myself, “If I had that camera or that network, or that location etc” and the list can go on. When in reality, I would have everything necessary right at my fingertips but fear and self-doubt directed me otherwise. We are living in an age of technology and instant gratification. If you need a moldboard, there’s Pinterest, If you need lighting, there’s the sun, if you want to learn most complex lighting/posing techniques, there’s Youtube University. Of course, there are resources that cost money, like a higher level camera, lens, and studio space but if there is a will, there is a way. I have used my 1 bedroom apartment living room as an impromptu studio with 2 average cost strobes from Amazon. I have created images along with my friend and fellow artist, that has been exhibited in rotating galleries from an apartment living room!
To say, YOU are a resource and always look to think outside the box. Network, barter, and create.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I think I find reward in being able to offer my interpretation and style towards a project while also remaining aligned with the clients needs. I think as a creative alongside other creatives, that is huge! At the end of the day, when booked, it is because you offer something that is appreciated and valued within your medium.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Alexanderjah.com
- Instagram: @Alexander_jah
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Kianna Wilson BAFM Nubian Hueman