ePHOTOzine Chats To Pentax Ambassador Oliver Jones

At just 6 years of age, Oliver Jones is the youngest Pentax ambassador ever. Here, along with his dad, professional photographer Mark Jones, we had a chat to Oliver about himself and his photographic work.

At just 3 years old, Oliver asked for a camera for Christmas. "I liked looking at my Dad's pictures and wanted to go to the places he goes to," says Oliver. 

Now, at only 6 years old, Oliver can already take stunning landscape photos that are up there with the best. 


Oliver's Dad, Mark Jones, is a professional landscape photographer so it's no surprise that the landscape photography bug bit him early. "When I was 5 I asked my Dad if I could go with him to take some pictures and I used my Mum's little point and shoot camera. My Dad said I took some really good pictures so I asked for a 'proper' camera. My Dad bought me a second hand DSLR and I went out with him a lot more but he still won't let me go to the cliffs (Jurassic Coast) because he says I'm too young".

It's clear that Oliver has a passion for photography and that his dad plays a big part in nurturing his hobby. "When we get home from taking photos my Dad and I sit together at the computer and he asks me why I took this picture. I tell him why and he will tell me if I could have made it better or shot it differently," explains Oliver.

Mark tells us that Oliver is currently learning about composition and how to use the camera properly but he is already very good at getting images right the first time, so he obviously has some natural talent. 


When Oliver was approached to be a Pentax ambassador he was very excited. "I was sent a brand-new Pentax K-50 with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses. I really like the camera and it's red, my favourite colour!"

Mark's images have inspired Oliver to widen his horizons when it comes to landscape photography. "My Dad has been to loads of places. He goes all over Great Britain, Europe and Iceland. I can look at my Dad's pictures and I tell him which places I want to go to," enthuses Oliver. "I am going to Iceland this year with my Dad. I really like his photos from Iceland."

So, why does photography appeal to Oliver? "I like going to lots of different places and getting up early. It's exciting and I like taking photos so I can look at them on the computer with my Dad, plus I really like using my new camera. Also, I want to sell my pictures all over the world like my Dad does and I want a Lamborghini when I'm older so if I get really good I can buy one!," he says. 


Oliver loves sunset and sunrise photography: "I like the colours in the sky and I really like getting up early to photograph sunrises. My Dad always takes me for breakfast on the way home and it means my Mum can have a lie-in."

As Oliver is the youngest Pentax Ambassador ever, this surely adds an aspect to a 6-year-old's life that not many other kids get to experience. "It's exciting that lots of people will see my photos and I like to see them in newspapers as well as on the internet. I also like to show my friends at school. In fact, my school is having one of my photos on the wall at reception," he adds. 

To find out more about Oliver and his work, take a look at his Ricoh ambassador page.