As an award-winning, nationally recognized portrait studio, Jeff Kassebaum and staff are committed to delivering their clients the finest in portraiture, unparalleled customer service and satisfaction. They are a full service studio offering a large variety in fine portraiture including but not limited to families, weddings, children and corporate events. They strive to create images that bring emotions to life through a combination of contemporary, traditional and photojournalistic styles.
The owner, Jeff Kassebaum, prides himself on capturing the personality of the person he is photographing. It is important for him to take extra time to establish a rapport, to get his subjects to relax and to feel comfortable. "Then," he says, "the smiles come naturally.
Executive's name: Jeff Kassebaum
Title: CEO
Company name: Jeff Kassebaum Photography / JKP Studio Inc.
Address: 2892 Jefferson St., Carlsbad CA. 92008, The corner of Grand and Jefferson in downtown Carlsbad
Phone: (760) 434-5252
Website: www.kassebaum.com
Founded: 1983
Prior experience: Opened up one of the first One-Hour film processing labs in Southern California, One-Hour Quality Photo and Custom Labs. Owning and operating a photo lab has given me so much insight into what can and can't be done photographically.
Source of starting capital: Revenue from my One-Hour Quality lab.
Average hours worked weekly: Work 30 to 60 hours depending on time of year.
Number of teammates: Six.Jerri my wife helps me on weddings and large shoots. Marcia, Pat, Bill work in production and are Photographers. We have Cathy who does marketing for us, Bill also handles sales and Alison is our office co-coordinator.
Residence: I've lived in San Marcos for the last 27 years.
Family: My family consists of my wife Jerri, Jeffery 28, Jonathan 26 who is married to Melissa and who has graced us with two beautiful granddaughters Kylie and Ava.
Hobbies: I love to golf, don't get out as much as I want. I have a Koi pond that I enjoy working around.
What got you into this business? When my first son was born my wife gave me a 35mm camera for Christmas along with a camera class. I have always credited her for giving me that camera class as it inspired me to go further in photography by taking advance photography classes and learning the "art of photography".
What makes your business a standout? It's really simple formula…we meet and exceed my client expectations. I want everyone to love their portrait, love the experience of the session. I also create a lifelong relationship with my clients; it keeps people coming back to me. They tell their friends and family about Jeff Kassebaum Photography and the great job and experience we did for them.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Drawbacks… I work weekends, evenings, and whenever my clients need me, but that's O.K. because I love what I do.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? We are located in a 90-year-old cottage located downtown Carlsbad. Interesting that this was the first Doctors office in Carlsbad. The quaintness of the cottage, the home-like feel is all-important in getting people to feel comfortable and relaxed. The ability to get to the beach in less than 10 minutes to do some treasured beach and sunset sessions is very desirable.
How do you plan to grow? Our studio will continue to be progressive in portraiture capture and delivery. We were one of the first studios around here to start shooting digital and to offer in-house retouching and enhancements. By giving our clients options on everything from changing out sunsets, changing heads, reducing double chins, adding people etc., we are able to provide our clients with perfect pictures.
Toughest career decision: Toughest career decision was to expand to our current location to add staff and to add photographers. I felt that we needed to be more responsive to our client's needs and offer them other options when I wasn't available.
Ongoing challenges: This industry has changed so rapidly in the last four years it has become a necessary practice for us to learn new techniques for photography and retouching to stay ahead of the curve.
Best way to stay competitive: Best way for us to stay competitive is to continue to be creative, offer more options for portraits, go beyond expectations and listen to what our clients are requesting from us.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? In five years my business we will have another location, most likely in Fallbrook, and a staff of experienced photographers that can handle all photographic challenges. I will also have a graphic arts department.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? My business offers Carlsbad community a reputable business that responds to community needs. We do beach portrait fundraisers for local schools that have generated thousands of dollars for them. We donate family beach portraits to local charities and we do free high school senior portraits for kids who could not otherwise afford portraits. We just want to be known as a caring, giving business with a heart.
What are your guiding principles? My guiding principles are as simple as just treating people with respect and honesty. I always try to go beyond what the client has asked me to do. Listen to what their needs are, ask questions and offer suggestions.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? What people don't really know about me is that I love art and will someday learn to paint.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Get into being a professional photographer a lot sooner than I did.
Choice for a second career: Landscape design. I love gardening and designing waterfalls and ponds. I would be hard pressed to ever leave this occupation, I truly love what I do and I think in comes across in my portraits.
People you look up to and why: My Dad. He taught me how to work and perseverance. He always had PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) stickers everywhere. He taught me a work ethic that I have carried with me throughout my life.
Favorite movie: Blazing Saddles, what man does not love this movie?
Favorite quote: "Communication is the beginning of an understanding." I don't know where I got it from but I have used that quote for the last 28 years. You can ask my kids and employees, they are sick of hearing it.
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Never give up. Be tenacious, take calculated risks, learn from everyone especially your clients!
The owner, Jeff Kassebaum, prides himself on capturing the personality of the person he is photographing. It is important for him to take extra time to establish a rapport, to get his subjects to relax and to feel comfortable. "Then," he says, "the smiles come naturally.
Executive's name: Jeff Kassebaum
Title: CEO
Company name: Jeff Kassebaum Photography / JKP Studio Inc.
Address: 2892 Jefferson St., Carlsbad CA. 92008, The corner of Grand and Jefferson in downtown Carlsbad
Phone: (760) 434-5252
Website: www.kassebaum.com
Founded: 1983
Prior experience: Opened up one of the first One-Hour film processing labs in Southern California, One-Hour Quality Photo and Custom Labs. Owning and operating a photo lab has given me so much insight into what can and can't be done photographically.
Source of starting capital: Revenue from my One-Hour Quality lab.
Average hours worked weekly: Work 30 to 60 hours depending on time of year.
Number of teammates: Six.Jerri my wife helps me on weddings and large shoots. Marcia, Pat, Bill work in production and are Photographers. We have Cathy who does marketing for us, Bill also handles sales and Alison is our office co-coordinator.
Residence: I've lived in San Marcos for the last 27 years.
Family: My family consists of my wife Jerri, Jeffery 28, Jonathan 26 who is married to Melissa and who has graced us with two beautiful granddaughters Kylie and Ava.
Hobbies: I love to golf, don't get out as much as I want. I have a Koi pond that I enjoy working around.
What got you into this business? When my first son was born my wife gave me a 35mm camera for Christmas along with a camera class. I have always credited her for giving me that camera class as it inspired me to go further in photography by taking advance photography classes and learning the "art of photography".
What makes your business a standout? It's really simple formula…we meet and exceed my client expectations. I want everyone to love their portrait, love the experience of the session. I also create a lifelong relationship with my clients; it keeps people coming back to me. They tell their friends and family about Jeff Kassebaum Photography and the great job and experience we did for them.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Drawbacks… I work weekends, evenings, and whenever my clients need me, but that's O.K. because I love what I do.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? We are located in a 90-year-old cottage located downtown Carlsbad. Interesting that this was the first Doctors office in Carlsbad. The quaintness of the cottage, the home-like feel is all-important in getting people to feel comfortable and relaxed. The ability to get to the beach in less than 10 minutes to do some treasured beach and sunset sessions is very desirable.
How do you plan to grow? Our studio will continue to be progressive in portraiture capture and delivery. We were one of the first studios around here to start shooting digital and to offer in-house retouching and enhancements. By giving our clients options on everything from changing out sunsets, changing heads, reducing double chins, adding people etc., we are able to provide our clients with perfect pictures.
Toughest career decision: Toughest career decision was to expand to our current location to add staff and to add photographers. I felt that we needed to be more responsive to our client's needs and offer them other options when I wasn't available.
Ongoing challenges: This industry has changed so rapidly in the last four years it has become a necessary practice for us to learn new techniques for photography and retouching to stay ahead of the curve.
Best way to stay competitive: Best way for us to stay competitive is to continue to be creative, offer more options for portraits, go beyond expectations and listen to what our clients are requesting from us.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? In five years my business we will have another location, most likely in Fallbrook, and a staff of experienced photographers that can handle all photographic challenges. I will also have a graphic arts department.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? My business offers Carlsbad community a reputable business that responds to community needs. We do beach portrait fundraisers for local schools that have generated thousands of dollars for them. We donate family beach portraits to local charities and we do free high school senior portraits for kids who could not otherwise afford portraits. We just want to be known as a caring, giving business with a heart.
What are your guiding principles? My guiding principles are as simple as just treating people with respect and honesty. I always try to go beyond what the client has asked me to do. Listen to what their needs are, ask questions and offer suggestions.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? What people don't really know about me is that I love art and will someday learn to paint.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Get into being a professional photographer a lot sooner than I did.
Choice for a second career: Landscape design. I love gardening and designing waterfalls and ponds. I would be hard pressed to ever leave this occupation, I truly love what I do and I think in comes across in my portraits.
People you look up to and why: My Dad. He taught me how to work and perseverance. He always had PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) stickers everywhere. He taught me a work ethic that I have carried with me throughout my life.
Favorite movie: Blazing Saddles, what man does not love this movie?
Favorite quote: "Communication is the beginning of an understanding." I don't know where I got it from but I have used that quote for the last 28 years. You can ask my kids and employees, they are sick of hearing it.
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Never give up. Be tenacious, take calculated risks, learn from everyone especially your clients!