The first time Nigel Jones fell in love with photography was when he was 15 years old. Jones developed a passion for film from a girl he dated, since then film has become his number one passion.

Jones, a freshman film major once had dreams of becoming a professional basketball player but knew he wasn’t going to make the cut.

“I’ve always wanted to play professional basketball but I guess I never really got the height. So that wasn’t really going to take off,” Jones said.

At age 15 Jones began documenting his life each and every day, capturing some very special moments. Documenting his life is a way for Jones to remember people and things that happen in his life as he grows up.

“Memories are pretty important but it [photography] gives me the concrete way to remember everyone and who they are,” he said.

Jones doesn’t plan what he’s going to photograph before he steps out everyday. Whether it’s skateboarding with his friends or going to a house party, he brings his camera along knowing he can capture some pretty cool stories.

Creative writing is also something Jones enjoys and one of the reasons why he fell in love with photography. He still writes and feels creative writing will help him develop screenwriting for his major.

“I can also write my own stories and film them, combine photography with my writing. Film is the best of both worlds,” Jones said. “Photography is the most important thing to me. It’s the most important way for me to express my thoughts and actions,” he said.

Jones is currently doing an internship in Downtown Los Angeles at a record studio that also does tattoos. He gives his internship credit for what he has learned about photography. Remarkably, he has never taken a photography class up until this semester.

“Photography class is alright but I’ve learned so much through my internship and been able to meet so many nice famous people whether its rappers or photographers themselves…” he said.

While interning at the record studio, Jones has had the pleasure of meeting and photographing artists such as Snoop Dogg, The Game, and Travis Barker.

After Jones graduates he would like to travel and explore the world where he can photograph each country he visits.

“I want to have at least visited 20 countries and shot all through those countries. I would like to be in five to six galleries’ by then, working on my first photography book or be working for an agency,” Jones said.

Jones said if photography doesn’t pan out for him, then he would like to be a grammar school teacher. He said he would rather much teach younger children (three to five years old) rather than older children because younger children are not as cynical.

“They’re almost blank canvas… you have such an immediate impact onto their life,” Jones said.

“So it’s either the fame or become a teacher,” he adds.