By: Sam Antenucci 

August 19th marks World Photography Day and we want to pay homage to one of the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s wonderful volunteer photographers, who has captured the essence of the Red Cross for the past four years.  

James Jones has volunteered his time to work as a volunteer photographer since 2016 and has stood out as an exceptional volunteer. Jones has poured hard work and positivity into his time at the Red Cross, capturing events like Day at the Capitol, Red Ball, Camp Save-a-Life, Sound the Alarm events, and the annual Red Cross House picnic. I’ve had the pleasure to sit down and talk with Mr. Jones about his experience as a volunteer, his photography hobby outside of volunteering, and seeing some of his work from major Red Cross events.  

Miriana Antenucci (MA): What initially got you interested in photography?  

James Jones (JJ):I wanted a new hobby after retiring from the federal government and I was looking for something to get into. I became somewhat of an enthusiast with photography and quickly started upgrading equipment and getting involved in volunteer programs.   

MA: How did you start volunteering with the Red Cross?   

JJ: I started with another organization as a volunteer photographer and found the Red Cross online back in January of 2016. This looks like a great opportunity to expand his horizons and get involved as a volunteer photographer. I also do photography for family gatherings, however, Red Cross was primarily another opportunity I was looking for to expand my horizons in the area of volunteer photography. I went online and found an opportunity for photographers and videographers. I signed up, did all the paperwork and was accepted. My first assignment was Sound the Alarm.  

MA: What did you like about photographing these events?  

JJ: For me personally, I’m always trying to capture the true essence of the environment and people I’m photographing. The Day at the Capitol was a very unique experience. I haven’t been to Harrisburg so it was a unique experience from a personal standpoint and it was nice to interact and meet the other people from the other Red Cross chapters that were there at the State Capitol, and to see the show of support.   

MA: For new volunteers interested in photography what would you want them to know?  

JJ: To get involved. To take pride in the images they capture that display what the American Red Cross embodies. 

MA: Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about?  

JJ: I am prior military. I served in the navy. That’s one of the things that helps me be who I am now was because I had that opportunity to travel abroad and see a lot of things and take pictures.  

I was stationed on the USS John F Kennedy aircraft carrier that’s now retired in Philadelphia. I had the chance to go  to most of the Mediterranean countries, Italy, Greece, France, the North Atlantic, most of the Caribbean. I also served in the reserve program and did some more additional traveling and so  I was able to go to Germany and Canada for different assignments. It’s all a part of my past experiences now. Now I’m retired and laid back.  I’m trying to contribute to a good cause like American Red Cross 

MA: Do you also practice photography outside the Red Cross?  

JJ: Yes! I do photography for family gatherings and my own personal enjoyment. When I travel and since I have been retired for a number of years now, I have gone to South Africa, Canada, different places around the country and I always take my camera with me to take pictures to share with others. 

MA: What is your favorite subject to capture?  

JJ: Favorite subject is a little bit of everything. Like the jack of all trades and like to dabble in portrait photography, Macro photography, landscape photography, a little bit of all types of photography.  I’m not really trained as a true photographer, so it gives me the opportunity to dabble in everything. I have taken a lot of different courses for photography both online, through the Photographic Society of America, and through a number of camera clubs. I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ve also done a number different courses in and around the area as well.  

MA: Among your work, which one is your favorite and why?  

JJ: I’d say Red Ball, because everyone gets dressed up and it’s a red carpet type of thing. I sort of play the role of capturing the ideal image of these people that are all dressed up and are looking great on this special occasion. 

I also would like to say the Red Cross Annual Children’s Holiday Party Event to my list of photography volunteer assignments. I enjoyed photographing this event just as much or more than doing the Red Cross House. It’s the smiles on the kid’s faces … that make my day when I photograph this event.  

It has been an absolute pleasure to sit down with Mr. Jones and view the pieces he has taken throughout the years. In his attendance of the Red Cross events, Mr. Jones has not only captured the essence of the joy and support that remain present within the community, but also embodied the spirit of a Red Cross volunteer. We hope that in sharing his experience, Mr. Jones not only serves as an inspiration for future photographers, but also future Red Cross volunteers.