About the Artist & Los Angeles, CA Photographer, Zero Dean

Zero Dean : Los Angeles Photographer

Hey everybody!

First things first, yes, Zero is my real name! (If you're curious about that, you can read more about how, why, and if it meant my parents didn't love me here)

So, by now you've mostly likely taken a look around and discovered that I'm a southern California based photographer (specifically, San Diego). And yes, I know... probably #1,274,972 on the list of photographers here! And as such, it probably won't come as too much of a surprise that I mainly provide headshots for actors (and aspiring), portfolio photos for models (and aspiring), and promotional photos for entertainers. But besides that, I also shoot commercial photography as well as "photos for any purpose".

When people describe me, they often use words like real, genuine, and nice (I'm one of those guys that will take "nice" as a compliment any day). And I'd like to think it's true, as I make a living connecting with the people I work with by being myself. I'm the type of person that means what I say and always tries to do exactly what I say I will. And when it comes to business, I try to provide my services in a way that would make me happy as a client. But I also think that everything I do could be improved upon, so I always appreciate feedback and look for opportunities to learn. And, of course, I make *mistakes, too (*also known as the world's best learning opportunities).

As for my work, I love what I do and I hope it shows! Professionally, I'm simply focused on continuing to make a living doing what I love, but with an ever increasing sense of security, creative freedom & fewer restrictions. Yes, I think that's probably every artist's dream, no? And on my journey, it's my goal to continue to work with, collaborate with, and connect with a variety of amazing people. My path is not always easy, but as they say, "smooth seas don't make a skilled sailor".

To give you some idea of my (recent) history, I took a leap of faith and left a pretty decent paying and secure career in computer graphics to pursue my passion as a self-employed photographer in the highly competitive and unpredictable world of photography. And only a couple years later I "started over" yet again by moving to LA in an effort to push my new career to higher level.

As I've only been based in southern California (first LA, now San Diego) since mid-summer 2006, I'm still working on building relationships and getting an awareness of my name (and my work, of course), out into "the neighborhood".

I think one of the main challenges in photography, much like acting (or any other creative field, for that matter), is that you can be very good at what you do, but still "fly under the radar" because there are so many other people in your field all attempting to do the same thing. And sometimes, success is more determined by who you know, than what you know. And right now, I just don't know many people out here.

For me, moving to LA was a conscious "career move". I figured this was as good a place as any to take my career to another level. But I've gotta admit that I was a bit unprepared for just how crazy & competitive photography really is out here. And how difficult starting from scratch in this town really is! It seems like every actor I meet is also a "photographer" on the side. And some are actually quite good! And then there are the exceptional full-time photographers!

Fortunately, as challenging as it's been, it's also been an incredible and rewarding experience so far and I'm glad to be here. I've had the tremendously good fortune of meeting an amazing array of wonderful and incredibly talented clients & individuals that could be found in no other place than here. And every one of them has helped me, in their own way, on my path to take what I do to the next level.

So to all those folks (you know who you are, and I've got the pictures to prove it), I'd just like to give a heartfelt "THANK YOU".

And to all the exceptionally awesome and creative people I haven't yet had the pleasure to meet or work with, drop me a line! :)

The Real Zero Dean...

The good news is, I do what I do because I love photography, I love people, and I love to create. I'm not in it for fame, fortune, or the rat race. I simply love being able to help other people with whatever skills and knowledge I have to offer and I'm grateful and rewarded any time that I have the opportunity to do that.

As a self-employed visual artist, the work and services I provide are especially "personal" to me because I put so much of myself into everything I do. And as you might imagine, since the results of what I do are on display for everyone to see & judge, and because my name and my business are inseparably linked, it's very important to me to do as good a job as possible.

The bad news is that I'll be better at what I do a year from now. And I'll almost certainly be better a year after that. And a year after that. For me, it's all a never-ending challenge to seek paths that lead to improvement (both personally and professionally).

But today, if I were to work with you, whether you're an aspiring actor or a known celebrity or just someone looking to have photos taken for fun, I can promise that you'd get my full attention and the best of what I've got to offer. And you'd also get my support and every creative advantage I can give to help you successfully accomplish whatever it is you actually want photos for.

I believe excelling in this business is as much about relationships and interacting with people as it is about being able to take a decent photograph. Whether it involves clicking the shutter of my camera or actually clicking with the people I work with, I'm passionate about what I do. If I wasn't, I promise I'd be doing something else.

I just have one request if I have the opportunity to work with you...

Please don't expect me to fit a stereotype or be like any other photographer you've worked with. While I continue to try and learn from the successes and mistakes of others, and I've got a general path to guide me, I'm much more of an explorer than I am a follower.

Not far into my career, I discovered that when I stopped doing what I felt was "expected" and consciously started following my own instincts by doing what "feels right" instead, it led to far greater and more rewarding experiences. I hope if we get a chance to work together, that's something you'll get to experience as well.

Sincerely, Zero Dean 1/01/2007

*Zero Dean is an accomplished & published Los Angeles & Southern California photographer as well as a professional digital artist with over 10 years of experience.

Zero currently resides in the Los Angeles, California area.

Zero provides many affordable photography services and specializes in helping models of all experience levels develop and diversify their modeling portfolios. This includes indoor and outdoor glamour & fashion photo shoots as well as model and actor headshots and comp card development.

When he's not working locally in the Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica area, or southern California region, he adopts the life of a traveling photographer and takes photos wherever assignments or people take him.

To read a bit about Zero's history and job experience, please follow this link.

Southern California Photographer Coverage

Zero offers his professional photography services throughout Southern California, including:

Agoura Hills, Altadena, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Century City, Chatsworth, Colton, Costa Mesa, Covina, Dana Point, Edwards, El Segundo, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Glendale, Glendora, Granada Hills, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Merced, Monterey Park, Murrieta, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, North Hills, North Hollywood, Orange County, Orange County, Pacific Palisades, Palm Springs, Placentia, Pomona, Quartz Hill, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Reseda, Rolling Hills Estates, San Diego, Sam Fernando Valley, San Pablo, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Saugus, Sherman Oaks, Simi Valley, Studio City, Sun Valley, Tarzana, The Valley, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Trabuco Canyon, Valencia, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Venice, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Whittier, Wilmington, Woodland Hills...

Among the best freelance california photographer-photojournalists and Los Angeles and actor headshots photographers and photo journalists - Zero Dean's commercial and maxim style model photoshoots generate artistic and creative photographs and stunning model portfolios that capture life, spontaneity, character, energy, and emotion. Zero, LA photographer, not only specializes in model photography, but digital computer graphics and special fx as well. Provides limited TFP and time-for-prints and 4 free photo shoots per month. Zero is considered to be one of the best LA photographers, southern california, hollywood photographers, headshot photographers, and west coast photographers.

Zero Dean is an excellent & award winning fashion photographer, glamour photographer, and artist who freelances as a Los Angeles photographer, Southern California, Santa Monica California photographer, LA photographer, Socal, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, NY, Culver City, Burbank, Glendale, and South Pasadena region. Zero Dean - also provides artistic black and white model photographs, compcards, black & white headshots, and black and white photos for Monterey Park, Malibu, West Hollywood, Vernon, Huntington Park...