Since 1983, Jeff Kassebaum has been photographing families, students and business executives in and around Carlsbad. Whether he's called to capture the perfect family portrait at the beach (his specialty), a senior portrait outdoors or an effective head shot for an executive, Kassebaum is known for being able to capture natural, relaxed smiles, even from those who fear standing before the lens.
"I started off wanting to be a commercial photographer, but when I started studying photography I discovered that photographing people was my forte," said Kassebaum. "I don't just put you in front of a camera, I talk to you and make you feel comfortable before I start the photo session.”
His personable and friendly demeanor is combined with impeccable technical skills, which means that he'll get the right shot. Kassebaum is a Certified Professional Photographer, a designation that only 2 percent of all professionals ever accomplish, and he's constantly training for new skills to add to his photography arsenal, the most recent of which is taking photos that allow businesses to offer virtual tours on Google maps.
Business owners that want to get their businesses noticed on the Internet can now turn to Kassebaum, who is a Google Trusted Photographer, to create a virtual 360-degree rendering of their business. Kassebaum can then publish the photos to the Internet and link them to Google's street view feature, so that customers can actually “see inside” the business.
So far, Kassebaum has photographed about 25 locations in North County, including The Crossings at Carlsbad, O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub, Broken Yolk Cafe and Lomas Santa Fe Country Club among others.
When it comes to executive photos and photographs of business owners, Kassebaum says they are a crucial marketing tool. In fact, he cites a study that suggests that people are 38 percent more likely to do business with someone who has a photo on their business card than those who don’t.
"It's about marketing and making yourself stand out," Kassebaum said. "People do business with people, and they feel more comfortable if they know you. A professional head shot is a must, because it allows you to present yourself as best as you can."`
Through his professional expertise, Kassebaum is able work with his clients to make the most flattering photos.
Kassebaum is so passionate about his art, that it's surprising to hear that he became a professional photographer almost by accident.
He was the manager at a local grocery store when he decided to open Oceanside's first one-hour photo developing shack. Though he was a photography hobbyist (his wife bought him a camera and lessons when their first son was born) his interest in the photo processing was purely from a business perspective at first.
One of Kassebaum's signature styles, family portraits at the beach or at local parks, happened by necessity. Back in the days where studio portraits were the norm, Kassebaum said his small studio required him to photograph on location.
"Outdoor shots are perfect because of where we live here in Southern California," Kassebaum said. "Nowadays, about 90 percent of the family portraits we take are at the beach or at the park, and only 10 percent are done in studio."
Decades of experience have allowed Kassebaum to perfect the beach portrait. He knows what times to take the best photo, how to pose families and individuals, and works to get the shots right in-camera. In some circumstances, he used digital effect to touch up photos. When the situation calls for it, Kassebaum can also insert people into photos, or merge elements from different photos to get perfect shots
When it comes to photographing high school seniors, Kassebaum's studio at The Old World Center in the Village of Carlsbad (630-D Grand Ave.) serves as the perfect background for a variety of shots, with its rustic style, abundant greenery and brick-covered backgrounds. Once again, he takes the time to know his clients before taking any photos.
"I can shoot out there for an hour, and still not exhaust all of the backgrounds that this place offers," said Kassebaum.
Kassebaum says he couldn't have stumbled onto a better profession.
"I have the perfect job," he said. "I don't ever want to do anything else.”
"I started off wanting to be a commercial photographer, but when I started studying photography I discovered that photographing people was my forte," said Kassebaum. "I don't just put you in front of a camera, I talk to you and make you feel comfortable before I start the photo session.”
His personable and friendly demeanor is combined with impeccable technical skills, which means that he'll get the right shot. Kassebaum is a Certified Professional Photographer, a designation that only 2 percent of all professionals ever accomplish, and he's constantly training for new skills to add to his photography arsenal, the most recent of which is taking photos that allow businesses to offer virtual tours on Google maps.
Business owners that want to get their businesses noticed on the Internet can now turn to Kassebaum, who is a Google Trusted Photographer, to create a virtual 360-degree rendering of their business. Kassebaum can then publish the photos to the Internet and link them to Google's street view feature, so that customers can actually “see inside” the business.
So far, Kassebaum has photographed about 25 locations in North County, including The Crossings at Carlsbad, O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub, Broken Yolk Cafe and Lomas Santa Fe Country Club among others.
When it comes to executive photos and photographs of business owners, Kassebaum says they are a crucial marketing tool. In fact, he cites a study that suggests that people are 38 percent more likely to do business with someone who has a photo on their business card than those who don’t.
"It's about marketing and making yourself stand out," Kassebaum said. "People do business with people, and they feel more comfortable if they know you. A professional head shot is a must, because it allows you to present yourself as best as you can."`
Through his professional expertise, Kassebaum is able work with his clients to make the most flattering photos.
Kassebaum is so passionate about his art, that it's surprising to hear that he became a professional photographer almost by accident.
He was the manager at a local grocery store when he decided to open Oceanside's first one-hour photo developing shack. Though he was a photography hobbyist (his wife bought him a camera and lessons when their first son was born) his interest in the photo processing was purely from a business perspective at first.
One of Kassebaum's signature styles, family portraits at the beach or at local parks, happened by necessity. Back in the days where studio portraits were the norm, Kassebaum said his small studio required him to photograph on location.
"Outdoor shots are perfect because of where we live here in Southern California," Kassebaum said. "Nowadays, about 90 percent of the family portraits we take are at the beach or at the park, and only 10 percent are done in studio."
Decades of experience have allowed Kassebaum to perfect the beach portrait. He knows what times to take the best photo, how to pose families and individuals, and works to get the shots right in-camera. In some circumstances, he used digital effect to touch up photos. When the situation calls for it, Kassebaum can also insert people into photos, or merge elements from different photos to get perfect shots
When it comes to photographing high school seniors, Kassebaum's studio at The Old World Center in the Village of Carlsbad (630-D Grand Ave.) serves as the perfect background for a variety of shots, with its rustic style, abundant greenery and brick-covered backgrounds. Once again, he takes the time to know his clients before taking any photos.
"I can shoot out there for an hour, and still not exhaust all of the backgrounds that this place offers," said Kassebaum.
Kassebaum says he couldn't have stumbled onto a better profession.
"I have the perfect job," he said. "I don't ever want to do anything else.”