Meet John Cole of JBC Images in West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Cole.

John, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started over 20 years ago. I would take photos of my fellow actor friends for fun, and all of the sudden their agents and managers would call me asking how much I charge. At had no idea what to charge since this wasn’t an official business. But my business grew to the point where I would shoot 3 people a day, every day. And then I would spend all night behind a computer working on the photos. I was so exhausted and I had other passions and focuses. So I made a rule not to shoot more than 2 people in a day and to give myself rest days.

I expanded my business to Las Vegas when I bought my house there. And now I travel to New York city every month. I would shoot anywhere from 25-40 actors in a single trip to NYC. I don’t claim to be the best photographer in the business- but I can be given nothing and I can create something wonderful. Sometimes simplicity is the best. I am also affordable to my actors because I know they can’t always afford those high priced photo shoots. So I am very actor/model friendly. I now shoot in West Hollywood and NYC. My goal is to get great working photos for my clients.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has ups and downs. I had to basically teach myself what a great shot is. Every agent and manager thinks they know what works (and it’s never a common census). One agent tells me solid backdrops are the winners, while another likes natural outdoor settings to make feel more real and then there are indoor studio shots. So all I can do is my best to do my style of shooting while trying too make all these people with special requests happy as well. I also have to deal with all sorts of clients. For the most part, they have been wonderful, but there’s always that one sour apple.

I am always itching with my creativity to do something different and try new things while shooting. Most headshot photographers like to stay with one certain look with the same backdrops. But I always like to see if I can change things up. Most of my return clients always get different lighting, backdrops and styles each time they come to me. The quality is always the same, but I try not to repeat myself with return clients.

So I am always trying to see how too make every happy and still be me and do what I love.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about JBC Images – what should we know?
JBC Images is a headshot company. I mainly do theatrical and commercial headshots. I am expanded a new branch into fashion and model print (Model House Images), but that hasn’t officially started. I am the photographer/owner and creator.

I think most of my clients feel comfortable with me. I don’t waste time and I make you feel comfortable. Which is why my return client % is so high. I am also crazily affordable for the actors.

Pricing:

• – Lowest photo package is less than $200!

Contact Info:

• Address: 1116 N. Spaulding Ave
  West Hollywood, CA 90046
• Website: www.JBCimages.com
• Phone: 310-259-2363
• Email: john@jbcimages.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/JBCImages

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