Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Bainbridge.
Jesse, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Photography from the University of Houston. After graduation, I went back to school to get my teaching license and then taught 4th grade bilingual for six years. At the same time, I was acting as a hobby in community theatre when I decided to take an on-camera acting class. That turned into landing an agent, auditioning and booking. In 2009, I came to the decision to do something crazy and pursue something that was always just a fantasy, acting.
As we all know, most actors have to work in the service industry while they pursue their dream. It pays the bills and offers the best flexibility to go on auditions. I got a job being a valet when I arrived in LA. I wasn’t happy doing it, but it put food on the table. I was looking at ways to supplement my income when the light bulb went off in my head. I had a degree in photography, but didn’t do anything with it after graduating from college and then becoming a teacher.
And everyone I knew was always talking about headshots. I started building a portfolio, shooting friends and working at becoming the best photographer I could be.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh no! Nothing in this town is smooth or easy, other than getting discouraged. I couldn’t say I was a photographer or expect people to take me seriously because I had nothing to show at first. No portfolio. Nothing. I needed to get my skills up to par. I shot a lot of friends first. As the quality of my work improved, people started asking me to shoot them. I went from doing favors to charging a minimal fee.
As I was building momentum, I found myself in the position of needing to raise funds to help finance a short film western I had written for me to act in. I sold all my photography equipment. It was a temporary setback, and a few months later, I was able to purchase another camera and get back into the game. I’ve continued working hard.
This past year, more and more people asked me to shoot them. As a result, I’ve made the decision to not just rely on word of mouth, but to actually make a dedicated push to promote myself as a photographer with the goal of being a full-time photographer by the summer of 2019.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I specialize in headshot and portrait photography. Because I come from an acting background, I feel I relate very well to the actor/actress. I tend to have an easy time building a good rapport with them. During a photo shoot, I chat and joke around with them, I improv scenes and scenarios, which helps get them into character.
I feel this, in turn, allows them to focus, have fun and be comfortable all at the same time, resulting in natural, great looking shots of them. On the financial side, because I’ve also had to spend a lot of money on headshots, I cater to the performer, the “struggling actor who doesn’t have hundreds of dollars to spend.”
Instead of charging by the look, I charge by the hour. So if they come prepared and know the looks and/or types of roles they’re being asked to audition for, I can get them the shots they need at an affordable rate.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
BEST: Because I was raised in hot/humid Houston, TX, I definitely love the weather in LA. That, plus the fact that I can go to the beach or hiking within minutes of each other.
LEAST: For what you pay in rent for a small apartment or studio here in LA, you could afford a nice home in Houston. Also, traffic here in LA is nucking futs most of the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BainbridgeJesse.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/JesseBainbridgePhotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/JesseBainbridgePhotography
Image Credit:
Jesse Bainbridge
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