Antoinne Duane Jones is a Celebrity Photographer, and Author of The Down Entrepreneur: A Blueprint To Business Rejuvenation! He teaches minority and creative entrepreneurs how to build six-figure businesses. Antoinne Duane Jones’s methods are what he has personally used to build a thriving business as a black business owner during the pandemic.
OurBlk Men Magazine got an exclusive interview with Antoinne Duane Jones.
Please describe yourself in three words?
Antoinne Duane Jones: Imaginative, Silly, and Resilient,
What inspired you to become a celebrity photographer?
Antoinne Duane Jones: The inspiration was never to be a “celebrity” photographer truly. The goal has always been to somewhat minister to folks through imagery so that we can help others foster a more positive personal or business image.
In what ways do you feel you make a difference in the world?
Antoinne Duane Jones: Assisting someone to help better their images allows for them to get into more occurrences in their life. For example, capturing a wedding promotes all that the bride and groom want thus bettering them, thus bettering the world.
The same would be for business headshots or fashion shoots. If we empower through portraits then those people go out into the world and make it better. It’s the spider web effect. We do our small part to build the web, later others finish it.
What can readers expect when they read your book The Down Entrepreneur: A Blueprint To Business Rejuvenation?
Antoinne Duane Jones: TDE is a guide that will give new and seasoned entrepreneurs some simple information, tips, and pointers that business owners tend to overlook.
When you are teaching minority and creative entrepreneurs how to build six-figure businesses, what kind of tips are you presenting to them?
Antoinne Duane Jones: Definitely read TDE but I’d say one of the top ones is to find a solid MENTOR. Find someone in your industry that is willing and able to pour into you with their knowledge and experience.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
Antoinne Duane Jones: Simple, helping others! Any service-based business likely has the same but when we help persons or businesses elevate, the feeling is unmeasurable.
What is a quote that you live by?
Antoinne Duane Jones: It use to be you can sleep when you are dead but as I’ve aged and realized that you must have balance in your business and personal life, I’d say, “No one will work your vision as hard as YOU!”
What are some of the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Antoinne Duane Jones: Shooting Syleena Johnson was one. Being a music icon and also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and I being a brother by membership in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was amazing. Shooting Cynthia Bailey for a magazine cover was up there and finally breaking into sports portrait photography rounds out my top three.
What are you currently working on?
Antoinne Duane Jones: Building our 360 Video booth into both a standard setup for any and everyone plus an exclusive luxury setup as well. Continuing to build our sports portrait photography brand: ADJ Media Sports, planning some in-person events & conferences for 2022, building our Tik Tok & Instagram content, and just working on self-betterment.
What else would you like our readers to know about you and the work that you do?
Antoinne Duane Jones: It is an honor to serve people. While we are still in the midst of a global pandemic, I beseech you to consider getting family portraits done and done as often as possible, even if I’m not the photographer. So many people have been lost due to covid and I want every to have those physical memories that they can go back to.
What do you want your legacy to look like?
Leaving an inheritance for my children’s children. Although it was no fault of their own, our grandparents and parents were not afforded the ability to leave assets and opportunities to their children. These days we have the opportunity to do so. With that said, I will do all I can to make the lives of my bloodline easier.
Keep up to date: adjmedia.co|adjmsports.com
@antoinneduanejones @adjmsports
