Jonathan S. Avila took up photography back in 1988 because he wanted to learn how to use a Polaroid camera.  It was only after two classes in basic photography that he realized that a Polaroid camera was simply another instamatic camera.

Upon graduating in 1990 with a degree in AB Communication from the Ateneo de Manila University, Jonathan S. Avila spent the next two and a half years apprenticing under his photography teacher, Pancho Escaler of Chroma Philippines, Inc.

He then went back to the Ateneo de Manila University to render service by working as the lone staff member of the photography department of the Jesuit Communications Foundation.

Jo Avila Photography was set up as a formal business in 1997.  The client list has been as diverse as the interests of Jonathan S. Avila.  Included in the list of past and present corporate clients have been Ayala Land, Inc., Asiatrust, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Convergys, Double Slash Media, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Globe Telecom, K2 Interactive, Landco, Medical City, Metropolitan Museum, Negros Navigation and Smart Telecom.

Photographs shot by Jonathan S. Avila may also be found in magazines such as Working Mom and High Life.

Jonathan S. Avila has held teaching positions in Assumption College San Lorenzo, St. Paul’s College Manila and Xavier High School Greenhills.  He was also a summer lecturer on basic photography at the Department of Communication of the Ateneo de Manila University from 1994 to 2007.

The seminars offered by Jonathan S. Avila at his studio are: Basic Photography, Advanced Photography, Basic Food Styling & Food Photography and Advanced Food Photography & Food Styling.

Aperture Trading, Airborne Access Corporation, Canon Pixma Inkjet Printers, Datacolor ColorVision, Digiprint Pro, Digital Photographer Philippines Magazine, MangoTree Stock Images, Summit Wellness Center, Western Digital and Ynzal Marketing are the seminar sponsors whose products or services are being endorsed by Jonathan S. Avila to his students.