ABOUT JASON'S CAPABILITIES
I have done journalistic assignments and NGO commissions for most of my career. I have traveled to over 30 countries—many of them many times and most of them in the developing tropics—and I embrace new technology and different approaches to help make sure my stories are effectively produced, stand out, and have the impact on change that I and my collaborators and clients are looking for.
For a cover story on wildfire ecology for The Nature Conservancy I trained for and received my Wildland Firefighter Red Card and embedded with a fire crew.
• Experience with travel in developing countries:
Some years I have averaged 150 to 200 days a year on the road and am experienced and comfortable navigating travel in all types of situations.
• Pre-project planning:
I bring experience in editorial photo editing/assigning as well as research, art direction, design, production, and impact strategy to my photography projects.
• Collaborating with the people I photograph:
I work closely with those I photograph, often using participatory methods, to recognize right authorship and their sovereignty in their stories.
• Post-project production:
My background in design, publishing, and video production helps when producing my projects to ensure that we use the assets we have gathered and your investment in our collaboration results in as much value and impact as possible.
• Simple, project-based budgeting:
I use a project-based approach to fees and budgeting that relies on careful planning, clear expectations, and accountability for complete work.
Scraping off the big jungle beard in Puerto Esperanza, Peru between river trips.
• Unobtrusive, low-profile mirrorless and compact cameras:
I photograph stills and video using professional, smaller-format mirrorless cameras and prime lenses, which significantly improves my connections to and interactions with the people I’m photographing.
• Short film and video production:
I have been making short films for over 10 years and I’m now collaborating with my life+creative partner and filmmaker Dewi Marquis through our new company, eight16 creative. My short films have screened in film festivals across the country and around the world including four premiers at MountainFilm in Telluride Colorado and one at the Berkshire International Film Festival.
• Remote controlled aerial photography:
I have been flying drones for many years and currently fly DJI's still photography-focused Mavic system.
Diving with my buddy, muse, young filmmaker, (and daughter) in the outer cayes in Belize. I am PADI Advanced Open Water (AOW) scuba certified and have underwater photography and video capabilities, especially for near-surface and shallower water work.
• Physical fitness:
I maintain a level of physical fitness and general health necessary for long hours, long days, and long weeks traveling or working in harsh environments and where motorized transportation, assistants, or basic services may not be available.
• Vehicles:
I can drive most things ... bikes, skateboards, motorcycles, boats, trucks, standard transmission cars on both sides of the road, golf carts, UTVs, forklifts, sofas, and backhoes. But no planes. I still don’t really trust how planes actually fly.
• Food:
I'll eat anything. Seriously. Try me.