Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Cooper.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jason. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey in California started out 14 years ago in a homeless shelter in Long Beach to living in Hollywood, working on set and running my own photography business.
But let me back up a bit. I grew up in Indiana. Out in the corn fields. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the career opportunities out there but my choices were to be a farmer, work in a factory, or go into the army. As a creative, none of those options were attractive to me so I decided to find another way out.
With only $500 to my name and no backup plan, I took a Greyhound bus to California so I could try my luck out there. When I got off the bus, it was do or die. I busted my ass for seven days looking for a full-time job and finally found one at a hardware store on Day 7. From there, I made my way up. I worked various jobs–as a dispatcher, graphic designer, artist, etc.–and moved from Long Beach to Hollywood but I always felt a little lost.
I was never one of those people who always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. I didn’t know what my passion was. I was creative and artistic, but had no idea how to make a career out of that. So when a friend asked me if I wanted to pitch in as a last-minute production assistant for a TV show, I jumped at the opportunity. That was when the spark was lit. I liked it so much…working with people on set and while filming I tried to figure out where I could fit in. I started looking at everyone’s job and realized I wanted to be the camera guy. So I started taking photos and got addicted to lighting and trying to master it to create the perfect shot.
From there, I took on more PA and photo assistant jobs, went to photography classes, and scheduled time to go out with friends to shoot. I think the reason I’m so passionate about what I do is that I get to make people happy while also making art. It’s this unique way of storytelling, where I let the pictures speak for themselves.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Trying to figure out what my passion was–that was the biggest obstacle. But once I found that, it was trying to find my style and figure out which direction did I want to take my photography in. It’s been a lot of trial and error but it got me to where I am now and I’m grateful for that.
Please tell us about Jason Cooper Pictures.
I take headshots and fashion photography. I like to work with a lot of lights and get a photo that strikes a balance between contrasting elements. One of my favorite shots is one I did with a model against these jagged rock formations. Her hair was blowing in the wind and her linen skirt and shirt were billowing with it. I captured this moment between the hardness of the rocks and softness of the model–there was a real masculine/feminine balance that made the photo really striking. And I think that sums up what it is that I specialize in–I like to balance gritty (oftentimes) urban scenes with striking, polished subjects. I think it makes my subjects stand out without the scene looking unrealistic. I’m not like those photographers that take a picture of a beautiful person in a beautiful field–that’s just not interesting to me. It lacks drama. It lacks story. And it lacks soul.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing. Everything I went through got me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: jasoncooperpix.com
- Phone: 562-313-6961
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jasoncooperpix
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JasonCooperPix
Image Credit:
Jason Cooper
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