Jared Hamilton is a documentary-style photographer and filmmaker who has lived all over Kentucky with roots in Pike, Knott, Floyd, and Letcher Counties. Jared's notable work in this area includes the photo essay/zine series
Familiar Paths. In
Familiar Paths, Jared photographed his friends, family, and the surrounding communities. They also documented the 2019 Blackjewel Miner's Blockade in the film Mighty Harlan County. Most recently Jared has been documenting their own health journey since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2023 in the project LESIONS (
jaredhamiltonvisuals.com). Jared has done photo/video work for Mergoat Magazine, the New York Times, NPR, Garden & Gun, EKU, 100 Days in Appalachia, and KFTC. Jared spent a few years as a professional touring musician with Moonshine District, Heirloom Symphony, and Ye Ole Remedy. They are the Chairman of the Board for M.A.R.S. Collective based at Wiley's Last Resort. M.A.R.S. stands for Music, Art, Re-creation, and Sustainability. The group hosts local music, arts, and education events on top of Pine Mountain at the homeplace of former WMMT station manager and DJ Jim Webb aka Wiley Quixote. Jim was one of Jared's mentors in organizing whether in activism or music/arts events.