Sam Jones

Bio

Sam Jones is a celebrated photographer and director renowned for his striking portraits of iconic figures, including President Obama, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Bob Dylan, Kristen Stewart, Robert Downey Jr., Amy Adams, and Jack Nicholson. His work has graced the covers of prestigious publications such as Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, Time, Entertainment Weekly, and Men’s Journal, earning him a prominent place in contemporary visual culture. Jones's photography has garnered numerous accolades, including awards from American Photography, Communication Arts, and the esteemed Eisie Award from Life magazine. Notably, his cover image for Wilco’s *Yankee Hotel Foxtrot* is featured in the celebrated anthology *The Greatest Album Covers of All Time*. His compelling collection of candid celebrity portraits, *The Here And Now: The Photographs of Sam Jones*, was published by Harper Collins, further establishing his reputation in the realm of photographic art. In addition to his photography, Jones is a distinguished director, known for crafting impactful national commercials for brands such as Skype, Sonos, Canon, Target, and Dove. His music video work is equally lauded; he won MTV's Music Video of the Year award for the Foo Fighters' "Walk" and has directed acclaimed videos for artists like Mumford and Sons, Tom Petty, and John Mayer. His innovative approach is exemplified in the multi-award-winning interactive video for Cold War Kids’ “I’ve Seen Enough.” Jones also contributed his directorial talents to the beloved Apple series *Ted Lasso*. In 2013, he launched *Off Camera with Sam Jones* on DirecTV’s Audience Network, a show born from his passion for in-depth conversational interviews. Through global broadcasts, an online magazine, and a podcast, Jones engages with an array of artists, actors, and musicians who inspire him, including Robert Downey Jr., Sarah Silverman, Dave Grohl, Laura Dern, Tony Hawk, Matt Damon, and Will Ferrell. Jones directed the feature-length Showtime documentary *Lost Songs: The Basement Tapes Continued*, which revisits Bob Dylan’s Basement Tapes and showcases new recordings of previously lost lyrics by artists such as Elvis Costello and Marcus Mumford, all captured in Capitol Records Studios. His documentary career began with *I Am Trying To Break Your Heart*, a poignant exploration of the indie-rock band Wilco’s tumultuous journey in creating their acclaimed album *Yankee Hotel Foxtrot*. The film was praised for its "beautifully photographed" and "engrossing" portrayal of the delicate balance between art and commerce. Sam Jones continues to make waves in the documentary film landscape with his latest works, including *Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off*, *Jason Isbell: Running with Our Eyes Closed*, and *Smartless: On The Road*, all now streaming on Max. His unique vision and storytelling prowess resonate across multiple mediums, solidifying his status as a pivotal figure in contemporary art and media.