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Octavio Jones - Photographer
Octavio Jones

Photographer

My hometown is Washington, D.C., though I also call North Carolina my second one as well. I began my journey in journalism by freelancing at two weekly newspapers, Que Pasa Noticias (News) and the Triangle Tribune in the Raleigh-Durham area while working full-time as a Human Resources Specialist. Prior to arriving at the Tampa Bay Times in 2011 I’ve held internships at the The Herald Sun, The Florida Times-Union and was a staff photojournalist at The Fayetteville Observer.

  1. Charter bus, trolley car collide in downtown Tampa
    Feb. 3• Tampa
    A TECO streetcar and charter bus collided Monday on South Franklin Street and Channelside Drive in front of the Tampa Convention Center.
  2. Tampa police honor first black officer to die in the line of duty, 80 years ago
    Oct. 1, 2019• Tampa
    Officer Trevarris Saulsberry stands at attention Tuesday at Tampa Police Headquarters during a memorial ceremony for Detective Joe Nance, who died 80 years ago in the line of duty.
  3. Tampa police mark 10th anniversary of Cpl. Mike Robert's death in the line of duty
    Aug. 19, 2019• News
    Tampa Police Officer Bonnie Donnelly, left, along with Cindy Roberts and Adam Roberts attend a memorial service Monday for Cpl. Mike Roberts, shot to death 10 years ago. Roberts was the husband of Cindy and father of Adam. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
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  5. Tampa Bay goes back to school: Photos from the week’s first day of school around the region
    Aug. 16, 2019• All Eyes
    Russell Stanley Jr, 10, is the first student who arrived in Emili Colon 's fourth grade classroom on the first day of school at Sheehy Elementary School in Tampa. OCTAVIO JONES | Times
  6. WWE star Titus O'Neil signs copies of his autobiography in Carrollwood
    Aug. 4, 2019• Hillsborough
    Thaddeus Bullard, also known as WWE wrestler Titus O’Neil, greets 11-year-old Brogan Paul of Lakeland at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Carrollwood on Sunday, August 4, 2019. OCTAVIO JONES | Times
  7. Tampa police: Bicyclist killed in early morning Tampa crash
    Jul. 28, 2019• Breaking News
    Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news and developments.
  8. Clearwater police: Suspect in officer-involved shooting dies; investigation underway
    Jun. 9, 2019• Breaking News
    The Clearwater Police Department said Bryan Bernard Wallace, 39, of Clearwater, was shot by police Saturday near the residence at 1008 LaSalle St. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
  9. Photo gallery: Gillum tells DeSantis to show some respect at Florida Memorial University
    Oct. 25, 2018• News
    Florida Gubernatorial Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum gives a campaign speech at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, October 25, 2018. (Octavio Jones, Times)
  10. Scenes from the Democratic rally in Tampa, featuring Joe Biden (w/video)
    Oct. 22, 2018• News
    OCTAVIO JONES | Times Former Vice-President Joe Biden gives a speech to a packed gymnasium while Florida Gubernatorial Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum, left, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson looks on during the Florida Democratic Party rally held at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida on Monday, October 22, 2018.
  11. Scenes from Andrew Gillum's campaign visit to Tampa Bay
    Oct. 19, 2018• News
    Gubernatorial Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum speaks to a packed music center during a town hall at St. Petersburg College. (Octavio Jones, Times)
  12. Sights from President Trump's arrival in Orlando
    Oct. 8, 2018• News
    President Donald Trump arrives at Signature Flight Support to speak at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Convention held in Orlando. (Octavio Jones, Times)
  13. Streetcar romance - motormen enjoy trips through town, time
    Oct. 5, 2018• News
    TOP: Streetcars like Tampa\u2019s were popular before World War II, but the appeal faded as cars became more commonplace. MIDDLE: Connie Cosme has been a motorman for 17 years and loves seeing kids come on board. LEFT: While making a stop at the Centro Ybor station, motorman Alejandro \u201CAce\u201D Acevedo, at right, trains newcomer Andrew Bruno.
  14. Streetcar romance - motormen enjoy trips through town, time
    Oct. 4, 2018• Archive
    While making a stop at the Centro Ybor station, motorman Alejandro "Ace" Acevedo, at right, trains newcomer Andrew Bruno. The TECO Streetcar has seen a resurgence of riders and popularity over the past several years. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
  15. Streetcar romance - motormen enjoy trips through town, time
    Oct. 4, 2018• News
    While making a stop at the Centro Ybor station, motorman Alejandro "Ace" Acevedo, at right, trains newcomer Andrew Bruno. The TECO Streetcar has seen a resurgence of riders and popularity over the past several years. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
  16. Photos: USF makes statement against another Power Five foe, beats Georgia Tech 49-38
    Sep. 8, 2018• News
    Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback TaQuon Marshall (16) runs the ball while tackled by South Florida Bulls linebacker Nico Sawtelle (54) during the first half of the game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. (Octavio Jones, Tampa Bay Times)
  17. Childhood passion still alive in Tampa chess player
    Jul. 27, 2018• News
    OCTAVIO JONES | Times José Cochez, left, and Hunter Tuck anticipate each other\u2019s next move in a game at The Bricks, a cafe and bar in the Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa. \u201CChess with Cochez\u201D meets on Wednesday nights.
  18. Students take stock during Peace Week
    Oct. 20, 2017• News
    OCTAVIO JONES | Times Rhonda Hancock a local artist teaches painting techniques to Autumn Farmer, 24, left, and Madison Hernandez, 20, right during Peace Week at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch located on 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel on Monday, October 16, 2017. Peace Week will run through Friday ending with Prayers and Meditation, Closing Lecture, and Dissolution Ceremony. For more information, contact Student Life and Leadership at 727-816-3219 or https://phsc.edu/peace.
  19. All eyes photo gallery: University of South Florida Bulls' 31-17 win over Stony Brook
    Sep. 3, 2017• News
    The South Florida Bulls take the field for warmups before their home opener against the Stony Brook Seawolves at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.
  20. All Eyes photo gallery: A special wedding anniversary celebration
    Aug. 25, 2017• Arts & Entertainment
    Jill Luhrsen, 76, dances with her husband Dave Luhrsen, 75, of 54 years of marriage during a special wedding anniversary celebration held at the St. Joseph???‚??„?s John Knox Village community in Tampa, on Friday, August 25, 2017. "We met on a blind date in college," said Jill Luhrsen. Nearly 30 couples were in attendance for a special wedding anniversary celebration at St. Joseph???‚??„?s John Knox Village.
  21. Belmont Heights Little League: Major League Baseball's past — and future
    Jul. 7, 2017• Sports
    Several members from the Belmont Heights Little League Baseball major league squad on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Former players and coaches from the Belmont Heights Little League program are playing in the Belmont Heights Celebrity Softball game on July 8, 2017. The storied Belmont Heights Little League has produced over 35 African-American baseball players in the Major Leagues such as standouts like Dwight Gooden, Gary Sheffield, Floyd Youmans, Carl Everett, Vance Lovelace and more.
  22. Photo gallery: Florida High School Track & Field State Championships, May 6, 2017
    May 28, 2017• Archive
    Jefferson High sprinters Eyekeyle Gardner, 17, left, and Kourtney Lawton, 15, compete in the Girls 2A 4x400 Meter relay during the FHSAA Track & Field Finals held at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
  23. Former Yankee inspires a youth(w/video)
    Apr. 27, 2017• Arts & Entertainment
    Fourth grader Estela Fernandez, 9, left, asks former New York Yankee Alfonso Soriano a question about his experience playing baseball during his visit at Crestwood Elementary. Soriano who shares the same experiences like some the students at Crestwood as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Encouraged them to work hard in school and remain model citizens in their community on Thursday, April 27, 2017. √’That√•s the important reason why I came to school today, to motivate those kids so when they have a dream they can accomplish it, because I came from the Dominican Republic,√“ said Soriano.
  24. Photo gallery: University of Florida Gators vs. Wisconsin Badgers
    Mar. 25, 2017• Archive
    The Florida Gators celebrate beating the Wisconsin Badgers in overtime in the East Region Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on Friday, March 24, 2017.