From Watts to the World: The J Lash Story
Born in Watts and raised in Inglewood, California, J Lash didn't plan on becoming a photographer. He was a business major at California State University, plotting a marketing career, when a friend swapped him a camera for a pair of snakeskin boots. The boots faded with time; the camera didn't.
What started as a hobby—shooting friends on the beach and at local parties—quickly turned into a calling. As he chased better shots and bigger moments, the streets and clubs of L.A. became his classroom. He learned how to move through crowds, read a room, and find the one frame that told the whole story.
"From the press pit to the VIP—J Lash was always in the room."
Breaking in With The Heavyweights
J Lash's first major assignment was an album cover for Capitol Records. That opportunity opened the door to Don King Productions, where his hustle and eye for drama made him a natural fit for the fight game. He traveled to Paris, Rome, Madrid and across the U.S., shooting title bouts and behind-the-scenes moments with some of boxing's biggest names.
Within a few years, he was serving as Don King's chief photographer and was named International Boxing Federation Photographer of the Year for two consecutive years. His images appeared on the covers of Boxing Illustrated, Jet, Ebony, and across the pages of Sports Illustrated, People, Newsweek, Black Enterprise, and other major publications.
J Lash has spent his life where the story is thickest—ringside, backstage, and in the middle of crowded club floors where security would rather he wasn't. From Los Angeles in the mid-'80s to Miami's golden era of nightlife, he's built an archive that tracks the rise of hip-hop, boxing superstars, and R&B icons from the inside, not from the press pit.
Inside Hip-Hop's Defining Moments
At the same time, J Lash was documenting a different fight—the rise of West Coast rap and, later, the Miami scene. He shot legendary images of Mike Tyson, a Rolling Stone cover of Tupac Shakur, powerful frames of The Notorious B.I.G. at the Soul Train Awards, and classic moments with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Destiny's Child, Goodie Mob, Rick James, Run-DMC and many more.
Unlike traditional press photographers who waited for credentials, J Lash was known for simply showing up and finding his way in. He slipped past velvet ropes, navigated industry politics, and captured artists in their real environments—hotel rooms, tour buses, club stages, and back alleys after the show. That approach produced photos that feel personal, not posed.
"I need to have like, a J Lash hotline. For ninety-nine cents you can dial and find out where the hot shit is."
— J Lash, Ozone Magazine 2004
The Million Dollar Moment he Turned Down
One story sums up his code: In the mid-'80s, J Lash was offered a million dollars by the National Enquirer for a compromising photo of Magic Johnson. The tabloid wanted the tape recorder after J Lash asked for details—a photo they declared was "probably God's will."
He turned it down.
J Lash knew that if he aired out his clients' dirty laundry, his refusal to sell would cost him credibility in the streets. Integrity mattered more than the check. That decision helped him gain trust and respect that opened doors for decades to come.
"Most of the time I think they got tired of chasing me from back in the day. For example, some of Michael Jackson's security was working for Jermaine Dupri for a minute."
— J Lash on getting past security
Style, Subjects & Signature
J Lash's work sits at the crossroads of celebrity, fashion, and street life. He's especially known for his images of women—strong, confident, and playful—with a style that balances sensuality and respect. Whether he's shooting models, singers, boxers, or everyday people, his goal is the same: capture the energy of the moment and the truth in the eyes.
His photography has appeared in Elle, Ocean Drive, The Grind, Ozone, The Source, Project Destiny and in campaigns and events for CBS, MCA Motown, Warner Brothers and others. Along the way he has remained an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
"I started out doing photography seriously in the mid-'80s in Los Angeles. By '87, I met up with Don King and N.W.A. I remember shooting pictures at a lot of Eazy's parties, and there would be fights between Crips and Bloods."
— J Lash
From Contact Sheets to Collectibles
Now based in South Florida, J Lash is focused on preserving and sharing his archive with the people who helped create it. Decades of negatives, contact sheets, and prints are being carefully digitized and curated into collections that fans, collectors, and new generations can experience.
Through this site, you can:
- Own limited-run prints from classic sessions and events
- Wear iconic images on premium tees and merch
- Discover stories behind the photos that shaped a generation
For J Lash, this isn't just about nostalgia. It's about giving the culture its flowers—documenting where we've been, honoring the people we've lost, and making sure the next generation can see the history for themselves.
"When you get flashed by J Lash, it's not just a picture or a photograph. It's a story. You can always go back and look at that photo and remember."
— J Lash, Ozone Magazine 2004
