We were lucky to catch up with Jeffrey Moustache recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jeffrey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

The most innovative thing I have done in my career was help pioneer aerial lighting and its uses in photography/ videography. I began back in 2015 by hard mourning a small remote triggered flash to a drone and saw the possibilities to be endless. As business increased and I acquired larger drones, I was able to start experimenting with LED Pane lights, and larger strobe units to get the desired output I wanted. PDN, Petapixel, and multiple other online photo publications picked up and ran stories about it and how it was the future of innovative lighting techniques and I am proud to say I was part of the forefront.

Jeffrey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began my professional photo journey in Savannah, GA. while in college studying photography at SCAD. After graduation I moved to Los Angeles and jumped into the commercial industry, joining a Fox Sports Television series as their photographer, and soon transitioned into their Director of Photography for the series. from there, things snowballed and I began working with other networks including FYI, HBO, A&E, Toyota scion, Monster Energy and other brands in the action sports industry, as well as other name brand companies. I have always been a creative problem solver and try to be as well versed in all aspects of my profession to be able to achieve any problem that may arise. From lighting, to rigging and gaffing, business management and producing, I do my best to understand every aspect of running a professional Photo/ video business so If there ever is a time I can not rely on someone to help/ hire, I can do it myself. I am most proud of my ability to recreate as well as innovate lighting setups and techniques and produce imagery that achieves the aesthetic my clients need, no matter what that may be.

Have you ever had to pivot?

More recently I have had to shift my business model and really hone in on my Video directing and editing. My background Is in photography, and my original passion was videography but I have since seen a shift in the last few years that I am getting hired on more jobs for my video work, rather than photography as the industry is shifting in a direction where everyone wants a movie aspect to their productions paired with the notion that anyone can be a photographer. It is easier and more accessible than ever for people to tell their stories now which is great, but it also creates a larger pool of creatives to compete against. Staying on top of trends, social platforms, styles etc is necessary to stay relevant but I also try my best to stay true to myself and not get lost in a “fad”.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy has been word of mouth references as well as online marketing. You n ever know who can help you or who will c come asking for help on a job. If you go burning bridges and making enemies, you will find out really fast that the fit and television industry is small and a bad reputation will cost you big in your pockets.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jeffreymoustache.com
• Instagram: @jmoustache
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyMoustachePhotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmoustache/
• Twitter: @jmoustache
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JMoustache
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user18488510

Image Credits
Jeffrey Moustache