Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Stafford.
Jason, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My fascination with the fashion industry began the first time I opened a European fashion magazine. I was in awe of the stunning photographs, incredible fabrics, fantastical people in jaw dropping locations. I knew I wanted to be a part of this world but wasn’t sure how.
At 19 years old, I started working retail at Barney’s New York in Seattle. I was the youngest employee in company history, at that time. One day as luck would have it, I was approached by a Fashion Photographer who wanted to take pictures of me. So after some photos and a few meetings, I was off to Europe. After a sputtering, semi-successful six year run as a model, traveling though Italy, Germany, Greece, France, Japan and multiple places throughout the US, I figured out that I really didn’t want to model anymore. It was my agent at that time that suggested I try my hand at representing models. She taught me the nuts and bolts of the management world and this lead to a fruitful 13 year career representing/managing some of the top people in the fashion industry.
With hard work, I was lucky enough to achieve my goals in that arena and as a final hurrah, I helped Pier 59 Studios open up their model and talent agency in Santa Monica named, INDUSTRY something I am very proud to have been a part of. We parted ways in 2008 and that was the beginning of a whole new chapter for me.
After a much needed six months hiatus, I dusted off the old client list and reached out to a few people. I found myself working for a casting director on a freelance basis putting talent on camera for commercials, casting small movies and advertising campaigns and learning everything I could in between. Realizing I had an eye and a passion behind the camera, I started working on set in all capacities for three different high-level production companies who specialized in advertising for international fashion brands. I was hooked – the meticulous art of bringing together a team of freelance artists with the support of specialized crews to compliment them to achieve the clients specific visual advertising dreams became my passion and SHOOT IT PRODUCTIONS & CASTING®, L.L.C. was born – a boutique style production company with a national reach. SHOOT IT PRODUCTIONS (as it’s known) provides model and talent casting, location scouting and full top to bottom production services for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Perry Ellis International, Gap Inc., Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, JD Sports and Fruit of the Loom as seen on my website www.shootitproductions.com.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing is achieved without struggle. I had all sorts of paperwork issues, taxing filing questions, and all that kind of thing in the beginning. But as all entrepreneurs can attest, you learn quickly because you have to. I adopted the old Nike slogan “Just do it” and things seemed to work out in the end.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Shoot It Productions & Casting – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m most proud of the streamlined workflow I’ve developed. It’s easier to work with one person, taking advantage of our online capabilities. I like to think I’m known for honest, straight forward and reliable work. Clients always seem surprised when they find out it’s all just me, handling everything seamlessly. This is also what sets me apart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Personally, I love that I live in a vacation zone. I can go to the beach anytime I want. Professionally, I love it because I can find everything at a moment’s notice. If I wanted to put a Giraffe in a canoe, on a lake, next to a log cabin. I can find a way to do it in this town. Not that I would ever physically put a Giraffe in a canoe on a lake, but I can make it look like I did. With all that being said, it’s also what I don’t like about this town. Everyone is involved, so everyone needs to be paid. I’m sure the lake would send me a parking bill for the canoe, and the canoe would bill me for workers comp. If they could, but that is also what makes this city so special.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shootitproductions.com
- Phone: 206.850.6725
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @shootitproductions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShootItProducions/
- Twitter: @shootitprod
- Other: www.shootit360.com & @landoverland (Instagram)
Image Credit:
Dewey Nicks
Justin Chung
Anouk Morgen
Stephen Buskin
Dani Bubaker
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
