Profile

Since 1998 I have earned my living as a photographer.  During that time I have produced work in a wide range of photographic genres.  My work has been published by the New York Times, Delta Magazine, Garden & Gun, Mississippi Magazine, USA Today and a host of other publications.  I have exhibited in galleries in New York, Georgia, Lousiana, and Mississippi.  I have taught workshops in California, Louisiana, and Mississippi and served as a guest lecturer for Delta State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of South Carolina as well as at professional conferences in Los Angeles and New Orleans.  At present I am working with University Press of Mississippi on the publication of my first monograph which documents the changing culture of the culture of the Mississippi Delta as seen through the prism of a well known juke joint.  This book will also serve as the crux of my thesis project for completion of my Masters in Journalism from the University of Mississippi.

My hope is that I can bring my professional experience as a photographer, curator, gallery owner, journalist and entrepreneur to the classroom as an instructor.  I would also like to shift my focus from commercial photography into more personal long-form projects as well as helping to teach the youth of the Mississippi Delta about photography and storytelling.

Employment

English Teacher   •   Marshall Academy   •   Holly Springs, MS   •   1995-1996

My first year out of undergrad I accepted a position teaching 7th and 8th grade English.  I was also an assistant football and baseball coach. 

Owner   •  Will H. Jacks Photography   •  Cleveland, MS   •   1998-present

Upon completion of my graduate classwork at the University of Mississippi I returned to my hometown to open a photography business.  I have earned my living this way ever since, and have worked in just about every photographic medium and  tackled a wide variety of assignments in the 14 years I’ve been a professional.

Owner   •   wiljax Gallery for Southern Photography  •  Cleveland, MS   •   2012 - present

In 2010 I repurposed my studio space into a gallery with the intent of exhibiting significant work created by southern photographers.  In that time I have curated 8 shows, and in  September 2013 Time Magazine declared our exhibit “Eudora Welty: 27 portraits” to be “one of the top 30 ways in the world to experience photography”

Education

Millsaps College  •  Jackson, MS  •  BA, Spanish 1994

Delta State University  •  Cleveland, MS  •  studies in Languages & Literature   •  summer 1995

University of Mississippi  •  Oxford, MS  •  studies in English & Creative Writing   •  autumn 1995

University of Mississippi  •  Oxford, MS  •  Journalism Graduate Program   •  January 1996 - December 1997 

University of Mississippi  •  Oxford, MS  •  returned to Journalism Graduate School to complete thesis   •  spring 2013

Skills

I have a thorough knowledge of digital photography skills including small, medium, and large format camera operation as well as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.  I also have a full understanding of Apple computers and software, including Aperture, Final Cut and the iWork and iLife suites.  I am skilled at field recording of both audio and video, including the use of the iPhone as both a capture and editing device.  My training was originally in film and traditional processes, with a heavy background in art, so I am also proficient at “alternative processes” of image capture and print making (wetplate, platinum, large format, fiber, etc)