JONATHON DANIEL PRYCE THE MAVERICK IN FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLE
Capturing Time: In Conversation with Jonathan Daniel Pryce (Garçon Jon)
Jonathan Daniel Pryce, better known by his professional moniker Garçon Jon, embodies the curiosity and dynamism of the Terra Nova Jumping Hour 35mm.
One of Britain’s leading photographers capturing fashion, street style, and elevated editorial imagery, Jonathan pairs a documentary lens with enveloping natural light. A free spirit and frequent traveler, his work crosses disciplines, perspectives, and some of the world’s greatest cities in search of images that tell a story.
READ THE INTERVIEW
We spoke with Jonathan – catching him for a few minutes mid-shoot – to quiz him on his instinct behind the lens, his approach to storytelling, and the spirit that drives him to keep exploring.
What are the ingredients that go into a truly great image?
Almost elusive, it’s something I’m always seeking. In a world overwhelmed with images, I’m always chasing something fresh.
What technical elements matter most to you as a photographer?
Light, above all. I’m always noticing the quality of light, wherever I am. Early in my career I focused on getting the technical elements perfect; now I’m far more interested in evoking a feeling.
What feelings do you try to conjure in your images?
Something nostalgic, romantic, soft in tone – with a bit of emotional depth. That’s the space I like to create in.
What does precision mean to you personally?
There’s an old adage about learning things the correct way first, and I think that’s true of my craft. It takes time to understand your equipment before you can start to break the rules – and that’s when things get exciting.
How does your approach change across different kinds of shoots?
On reportage or location work, I work on the fly, finding unusual moments without too much of a plan – it keeps me looking with fresh eyes. Commercial jobs involve a lot more planning, thinking through specific frames in advance.
Jonathon Pryce
"The true mavericks I’ve met over my life have been adventurers – people who embrace life and approach things with a level of ease and confidence."
Control, or freedom and spontaneity?
I lean towards freedom. I’ll find a spot with great light, find a subject and merge the two – there’s staging, but it’s made to look natural. There’s only so much I can control, and letting someone run free helps the storytelling.
How much of your work is about storytelling?
All of it. I love trying to create a narrative in just one image, but also across a series.
What do you look for in a subject on the street?
Honestly, it’s instinct – it differs every time. I’ll often start shooting before I even know why I’m drawn to someone.
What makes a great portrait?
People think it’s about capturing someone’s “true” self, but that’s almost impossible – people are multifaceted. A portrait is a collaboration between subject and photographer. If there’s something authentic and real about it, I think that’s a good portrait.
Your definition of great style?
Hard to pin down, because I love individualism. The best-dressed people have spent time experimenting – getting it wrong is part of the fun. I find older people endlessly inspiring; a lifetime of considering who you are shows in how you dress.
What does it mean to be a maverick?
The true mavericks I’ve met over my life have been adventurers – people who embrace life and approach things with a level of ease and confidence.
A detail you’ve only noticed after the fact?
Sometimes I’ll look back at a photograph and notice, for example, a colour in a necktie that matches perfectly with a road sign in the background – and only then do I understand why the image worked.
How do you try to push yourself in your work?
I’m always trying to improve the quality of what I do. Sometimes I’m really happy with an image, but I’m always striving.
Jonathan is a fitting ambassador for the new Terra Nova Jumping Hour 35mm because his creative outlook reflects the same instinct that defines the watch: understand the rules, and know when to move beyond them. His work balances precision with spontaneity, allowing technical discipline to give way to something more instinctive, expressive, and unexpected.
These characteristics deeply reflect Bremont’s maverick spirit. The new Jumping Hour 35mm brings a more compact, unisex character to the collection while retaining a design that deliberately challenges conventional ways of displaying time. Jonathan approaches his own craft with a similar curiosity – continually searching for fresh perspectives, embracing individuality, and finding interest in details that others might overlook.
Overall, Garçon Jon represents the kind of exploration at the heart of the 35mm Terra Nova Jumping Hour collection: not simply travelling further, but looking closer, experimenting freely, and finding new ways to see and explore what’s already there.
Want to learn more about the history and design of the Jumping Hour watch? Read our blog on what a jumping hour watch is and how this historic complication works.
TERRA NOVA 35 JUMPING HOUR
Explore the Terra Nova Jumping Hour collection worn by Jonathan Daniel Pryce, including the Terra Nova 35 Jumping Hour steel bracelet and the leather strap variation.
