The same year he promptly began a freelance photographic business. He was trained
as an aerial photo navigator, with a specialty in infrared photography. He was an aerial photographer over Vietnam from late 1965-1968. During this same time period he also produced combat photography documenting missions on the ground for the Department of the Navy. Jones was released from the Navy and went to work
for North American Rockwell Corporation. He was an in-house corporate photographer, specializing in corporate work, brochures and catalogs. In addition to the "usual" corporate photography, he was also was involved in the documentation of the construction, completion, and launching of the last of the Gemini missions and the 1969-1970 Apollo missions. 1970 – 1977, Mr. Jones worked for Pan American World Airways as a public relations and aerial photographer. As part of his duties he managed a total of 154 people, including the ground crew in the aerial division. During this same period his freelance business shifted to aerial photography, again specializing in infrared. While at Pan Am, he began teaching at Santa Monica College. He was a part-time instructor from 1972 to 1976. In 1976 Mr. Jones became a full-time instructor at SMC. He completed his Bachelor of Vocational Arts degree in 1985 at California State University at Long Beach. Today Larry is the director of the Photography Department.The courses he teaches range from beginning photography to our most advanced offerings. He is currently at work on two books of personal projects and exhibiting his work in several galleries. Jones retired from SMC in June 2014 and looks forward to taking more photos for pleasure as well as guide some great workshops.
