This week’s Member Moment features work by Ty Jones , whose street photography captures a specific, high contrast, dramatic style. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!

PL: What got you interested in photography?

TJ: I’ve always loved photography, but street photography saved my life. I was battling addiction and depression, and when I decided to get sober, my eyes changed. I could finally see the beauty in everything. In early sobriety, I would walk around the city whenever I had a craving or felt like the world was crashing around me. Taking photos was the only thing that calmed me down. It was the only time I felt real peace.

PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?

TJ: Currently in shoot on my phone and with a film camera.

PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?

TJ: When I’m taking pictures, I’m led by feeling more than anything. It can be something small like the wind blowing through leaves, a child laughing, or the way light falls on someone walking by. I’m inspired by love when I see it, by quiet moments in the middle of chaos, by things that feel real and unguarded. If a scene slows me down or makes me feel present, I know that’s the moment I want to capture.

PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?

TJ: The photo of the Met Museum stairs literally captures how amazed I was walking into that space for the first time. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I had to stop and take the photo.

PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?

TJ: What I enjoy most about film and digital photography is that it gets me out of my head. It allows me to see clearly and capture what I’m feeling in real time, without overthinking it. I love being present with a moment and translating that emotion into an image. What’s challenging is learning when to let go and trust my instincts, especially in a world where everything moves fast and there’s pressure to constantly produce instead of just seeing.

PL: Do you have any goals or ideas of how you want to grow this collection of photographs?

TJ: Yes. I want to grow this collection into a show called Echoes of Ty, where I showcase all of the beauty that saved my life. I want the work to reflect healing, presence, and the quiet moments that carried me through some of my hardest seasons. My goal is for people to walk through the images and feel seen, slowed down, and reminded that beauty can exist even in survival.

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Member Moment: Ty Jones

This week’s Member Moment features work by Ty Jones, whose street photography captures a specific, high contrast, dramatic style. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!