Today we’d like to introduce you to James Gross.
Thanks for sharing your story with us James. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My passion for photography began when my father gifted me with a film camera at the age of fifteen. His affinity to capture a moment in time instilled the desire to pursue this art as my lifelong devotion. The first hands-on experience of my photography journey occurred during sophomore year of high school through classes.
Much of my experience has been self-taught, which proceeded with excelling in classes while performing basic photo assignments. It was at this point that I realized photography would become more than a hobby; it is my passion.
During junior year, my father bought me a Rebel t1i as a gift. I would carry it with me wherever I went. When I was not running track or cross country, I had my trusted camera accompany me to photo shoots with friends. I was always exploring, creating, and capturing what I deemed to be hip. Even as I went into college, my camera attended house parties and hang out sessions with associates. I was soon dubbed, “That guy with the camera.”
After college, I moved to Denver with no connections in the craft. I chose to pursue an identity in photography by traveling the route of a starving artist.
Unfortunately, I had all my cameras, lenses, and equipment stolen during the first few months. A devastating experience would not hold me back, as I continued on adventures by using my cell phone to snap pictures. Patience and hard work paid off when I was able to visit a local camera shop to purchase a Minolta model much like the one my father gave me. I took multiple trips to the mountains where I hiked facing some treacherous situations. It was all done for the love of the craft.
After living in Colorado’s for three years, I moved to California and saved enough money to purchase a more serious model; a Canon 7D mark II. It was a real beast, and a beautiful piece of machinery. I started getting more involved with the Instagram community and attended a few “Instameets” where there are plenty of subjects to shoot. Instameets consists of a collection of street photographers, models and performers meeting at the same location in LA to create awesome art. I made many great connections and went full force into photography.
During the time, I had my camera, I attended night clubs and became more involved in the electronic music scene. This experience allowed me to meet a few photographers who invited me to go to one of the contracted shows for shooting. I connected with a few DJ’s, which expanded my photography enough to being messaged weekly by random DJ’s for covering their events. Eventually, I shot the first event company that continues to retain me called Mayhem Events. I have shot many other DJ’s, local and international. I first performed work free of charge to create a portfolio. It does not matter how skilled one is as a photographer if there is no method of showing work to potential clients. Blind faith is a difficult sale to make for interpretation of one’s talent. Ultimately, I purchased an affordable, circular fish-eye lens by a brand called LensBaby. I had the privilege to do work for their website as well as a few other companies.
With full steam ahead, I was discovered by more event companies, and had a tenure shooting some live music events for Virgin Mobile music. I currently shoot for over thirteen event companies and have a consistent clientele base that keeps me productive multiple times a week. During the last two years, I have shot nearly one hundred events; private, corporate and music concerts. My primary focus at this time is promotional, product photography and concerts.
The concept of being able to capture a specific moment in time, and to make it tangible and unforgettable, has always intrigued me. Music has also been a staple in my life. I love the fact that I can witness talented individuals bringing a large crowd of people together to have a great time. The memories from the shows never fade because they are immortalized in an image, and I could not imagine myself doing anything else.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to success is never easy. There are many challenges that I have faced and a lot of criticism. Luckily, I am a pretty determined individual and would never let anything stop me from pursuing what I love. Even if I somehow were to not be successful, I would never stop shooting. I love being able to just hop in my car on a Friday, and travel to the mountains by myself with nothing but some extra provisionals and camera in hand.
I have had equipment stolen, broken lenses and haven’t hit quotas or deadlines that I have given myself but it’s an ever-evolving craft that you have to adapt to. I just make it a point to not only raise the bar but to always impress my clients by over-delivering. The only way to get better is by pushing yourself and by planting myself in a city full of talented and artistic individuals it always fuels the fire to be the best.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Spawnzone – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I came up with the name Spawnzone because I used to be a pretty huge gamer. It actually started with a game called Counter-Strike: Source. When a player “spawns” in the game they originate from a “spawn zone.” So, I took the philosophy of a spawn zone being the essential opposite of a black hole. I just wanted it to be an area where a plethora of photos originate from, with different variety. So, the premise is for me to deliver the highest amount of high quality work to my client as possible.
I do a lot of “commercial” work but try to keep it as “cinematic” and artistic as possible.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is just the sheer amount of artistic individuals here that are trying to make it, trying to follow the American Dream. Some don’t see other artists as competition, but you really should. Not in a negative connotation because you should never put down another artist but you should always be able to take some pointers from them. You should make it a mission for your rivals to become your idols.
What I like the least is the amount of people also makes commuting to my events a pain. I’m always in traffic but it helps me get mentally prepared for what I’m about to shoot.
Pricing:
- $100 per hour for promotional work/headshots
- $70 per hour for live events/concerts
Contact Info:
- Address: Los Angeles, California
- Website: www.spawnzone.biz
- Phone: 4246720486
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/spawnzone
Image Credit:
Spawnzone
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