Who's in the Crew? - Spotlight on Joe Loper

NAME: Joe Loper

WEBSITE- https://joeloper.com/
CREW PROFILE - https://headshotcrew.com/joeloperphoto
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/joehloper/
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/joehloper
LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeloper/

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Originally, I’m from southern Texas but I’ve traveled parts of the world during my time in the military. After ending my service in the Air Force while stationed in Okinawa, I moved to San Francisco for undergrad and then to New York for my MFA. Next year will be 10 years here.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING HEADSHOTS?

Close to 10 years. I was more of a hobbyist, can I do this for a living, shooter for the first couple of years. I’ve made it my focus for about 8 years now.

WHAT IS YOUR LIGHTING SETUP FOR HEADSHOTS?

I rotate through the 3 light set up for women and the 2 light, men's lighting setup. Depending on the client, I’ll break out the parallel setup. Portraits I have a handful of looks I go to depending on their look and what I think they’ll respond to.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR STUDIO. DO YOU OWN IT? RENT IT? OR LIVE IN IT?

I have a basement studio in my apartment that I outfitted in 2020. Before that, it was just a basement with gear but now there’s a client area, section for gear, etc. The goal was to set it up in a way that was easy to keep straight but have access to necessary gear easily. A large part of that process was eliminating gear and what not I never use.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU LIKE TO SHOOT?

Portraits! There’s nothing like portraits to put your stamp of creativity and uniqueness. This is where I can break rules and be more experimental while at the same time show the client they’re more capable in front of the camera than they know. It helps to expand the feeling of agency people have in their own life.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER PH AND THE HSC?

Soooo I found PH2PRO in 2014, long before it was the multi-tiered, HSC system it is today. I remember the days of only needing 12 images for Associate level. Word to the wise, don’t wait to go for it. He’ll make it harder again at some point.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO JOIN THE CREW ONCE YOU FOUND IT?

Not long I think. When I understood that Peter had a process that could be taught, and also grow with, I was in. It’s been almost 7 years of involvement and learning because what we learn here can transfer to every aspect of photography. For me, this has been my cornerstone in which to build everything else.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU?

I’d rather eat chocolate and drink wine with the ladies than sweat it out at a sporting event. #refinedtastes

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOU?

I’m way less intimidating (or aggressive) once you understand everything I say is meant to be for growth and comes from a place of love.