Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Ikemoto. They and their team shared their story with us below:
This year marks our 46th year in business! Joey initiated the business at the age of 20, starting in his parents’ front living room and later moving to his friend’s garage, which they transformed into a photo studio. Over time, the studio relocated four more times before settling at its current location.
In the early days of the business, Joey juggled two jobs for nine years to support and invest in its future. He worked the graveyard shift, from 11 pm to 7 am, as an X-ray engineer at a hospital. After resting until noon, he opened the studio from 1 pm to 8 pm, returning to the hospital for another overnight shift at 11 pm.
The present studio, purchased in 1999, spans nearly 6000 square feet and stands as one of California’s largest photography studios. Annually, the studio captures 80-100 weddings and serves as the contracted photographer for several local schools, conducting over 1200 sessions this year. Senior high school sessions benefit from the studio’s ample shooting space, featuring window lighting, along with conveniently nearby environmental locations.
Joey has achieved three degrees: Master & Craftsman of Photography from the Professional Photographers of America and the Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of California. Proficient in various aspects of the photography industry, Joey has collaborated with some of the world’s leading corporations. Notable clients include Toyota, AT&T, Honda, and Samsung, among others, leading Joey to conduct shoots across the nation and globally, visiting locations such as Costa Rica, Japan, and The Bahamas!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We feel incredibly blessed to own this amazing studio, and we believe it has been a journey guided by God. Throughout this incredible journey, we encountered challenges, including the shift from film to digital technology. This transition had its hurdles, but within six months, we seamlessly transitioned from shooting with film to digital photography. Eventually, we even managed to handle all printing in-house, ranging from wallet-sized prints to large canvas prints.
During the recession, weddings proved to be relatively recession-proof. As people had saved for their weddings in advance, wedding photography remained crucial for couples. Despite the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, our studio’s versatility played a pivotal role in our survival. We were fortunate to secure a project photographing 80,000 products for a company, which sustained us through the first nine months of the pandemic.
We adapted by creating multiple product photography stations in isolation within the studio, enabling us to continue working and fulfill all the photography requirements the company had. This allowed us to stay operational during a time when many faced immense difficulties.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Our studio remains at the forefront of technology by prioritizing continual education. We regularly send our staff across the country to learn from industry leaders, allowing us to implement the latest advancements for the benefit of our clients. Additionally, we invest in top-of-the-line equipment to ensure our images maintain the highest quality standards.
In our hiring process, I prioritize candidates not solely based on photography skills but on their interpersonal abilities. While exceptional photography skills are valuable, lacking people skills can diminish the impact of great images. Therefore, we seek individuals who excel in connecting with others.
At our studio, we cultivate an environment that nurtures our associate photographers to achieve excellence. We maintain a commitment to delivering the best regardless of the photography type—whether it’s weddings, portraits, or commercial work. Clients can always expect nothing less than our absolute best.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joeyikemoto.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/joeyikemoto?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063649564784
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/joey-ikemoto-photography-torrance?override_cta=Get+pricing
