TAMPA, Fla — Photojournalist Octavio Jones says he developed a passion for photography in Middle School. Since then he's captured the lived experiences of communities both locally and abroad.

What You Need To Know

  • Following his return from his seventh trip to Haiti this week, Photographer Octavio Jones shared details of his coverage of some of the most significant political and historic events in the Caribbean country over the last four years

  • His first assignment in Haiti was after the 2021 earthquake

  • Jones’ work is featured in various outlets. He covered topics such as tourism, migration, health care, gangs, and political protests

  • Jones still has more work to do in covering Haiti’s story and he plans to return in the next few weeks

Following his return from his seventh trip to Haiti, he shared details of his coverage of some of the most significant political and historic events in the Caribbean country over the last four years.

Jones’ work is featured in various outlets. His first assignment in Haiti was after the 2021 earthquake. He covered topics such as tourism, migration, health care, gangs and political protests.

“I think the time in Haiti is at a critical juncture right now because the people of Haiti and the Haitians who I know who live here and Haitians who I know who live there in the country right now, they’re seeing a turning point,” said Jones. “I’m most proud that I’m able to establish relationships where Haitians can trust you. It’s the one thing about our industry where you only have those few minutes where you encounter someone.”

He says that’s an asset he and his colleagues rely on in journalism

During the past two weeks, more than 4,000 prisoners escaped from two Haitian prisons, leading to increased violence and chaos in the country. In addition, gangs seized control of the Port-au-Prince airport, and Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation.

“We were there at the border for four days because the Dominican Republic was definitely unsure of how they were going to treat journalists getting inside the country,” said Jones.

“We may see the protests, and you may see tires burning in the streets, but to be there on the grounds, to be there in person, to know what it is like in real life, you can understand what the protests are for. Folks are looking for a better way of life. Folks are telling me they want to be able to go to work every day; they want to be able to provide for their family. Being able to document that, going inside hospitals where there is a desperate need for doctors and nurses to provide health care, to document a situation where kids may not afford to go to school but want to go to school, I would see that often. It’s very compelling to be a photojournalist and document life inside of Haiti,” he continued.

Jones aims to amplify the voices of those who feel unheard or unseen through his work.

“I can’t speak for the Haitian government, the Haitian people myself. But I document what I see, which is important to be on the ground, not to have this kind of quick judgment about Haiti,” he said.

Jones is a dedicated photographer who has captured some of the most difficult yet compelling moments in Haiti. He is committed to documenting the journey of the Haitian people in both good and bad times. Jones still has more work to do in covering Haiti’s story and he plans to return in the next few weeks. However, he is waiting for the capitol’s airport to be re-opened to the media before he can go back.