Meet Tom Cocking | Fashion and Product Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tom Cocking and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tom, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was working the 9-5 hustle and was shooting photos on the side for extra money. I was so stressed out every day and would take my work home with me every day so I never really had a break. I noticed that every time I finished a photoshoot I was so pumped and so excited to get home to edit the work. My girlfriend noticed this as well and pushed me to quit the 9-5 and get relatively mindless job to make money but that allowed me to focus on building my photography portfolio. This was the push I needed and once I was able to realize I could make enough money to live comfortably I knew it was the right move. I wanted to do something that was fulfilling, where I was in charge of my time and only had myself and the client to answer to. It was so so difficult in the beginning but it got me to a place where I feel comfortable financially and really love what I do

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been shooting photos since I was a little kid with this those old Kodak disposables and have always loved photos that capture peoples emotions. When I started taking things more seriously and turning photography in to a business I wanted to capture peoples emotions and make the person looking at the image feel something. My real passion is portrait photography but that’s harder to pay the bills with. I got in to fashion and product because you can still capture the human experience and use that to sell a product. I got to where I am now with shooting lots of free things for anyone. I would find local business, mainly in the fashion industry, and see if they needed content. This way I could work with models and shoot people but also better their business. Once I was able to work with some larger brands and build my portfolio it made finding better paid work easier. It was not easy by any means but I remember receiving my first “real” paycheck and it changed my world. It’s a constant hustle and sometimes I will feel comfortable and working lots but that can change in an instant so you really have to be working with the mindset that the next paycheck may not come if you don’t continue to always be looking for work. I think I would want people to know that, as corny as it sounds, that if there is something you love that brings you joy, you really can find a way to turn it in to a business. I never thought I would be able to pay rent and go on trips and enjoy life with photography alone and here I am and so damn proud and happy I decided to take that leap.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question and haven’t ever really thought about it. I live in the South Bay and it is a hidden gem so I would want them to come here to Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach to hang by the ocean for a couple days and relax, play some volleyball, surf, drink at any of the local beach bars. For food I would take them to Pura Vita in Redondo. It’s this amazing plant based Italian restaurant and you wouldn’t believe it was plant based (I’m not a vegan and it blew my mind). On a Tuesday I would take them to Hudson House in Hermosa/Redondo (it’s on the border of both) for their taco Tuesday. They make killer drinks and tacos for an incredible price and the vibe is always amazing there. For some sight seeing I would want them to see Palos Verdes. It still blows my mind Palos Verdes exists here in LA and not in Italy or Spain. The cliffs and homes there are breath taking. On a weekend evening I would want to take them to a show somewhere in Hollywood. One of my favorite things about living in LA is we have access to amazing venues with amazing bands. I have seen some of my favorite bands here in small/intimate venues like the Troubador that I will never forget. They call the South Bay the bubble for good reason but I would love to show them around Korea Town and the Arts District. I did some of my first paid shoots there and it was such an inspiring place to shoot. On my friends last day I would do sushi at any of the sushi places we have here haha you can’t go wrong with sushi and saki by the beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate most of my success to two things. First, my wonderful girlfriend who was the main reason I ever made the jump to follow my passion. She saw the potential in me and pushed me (very hard at times) to do what I loved and supported me emotionally and when times got difficult, financially. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Secondly I would like to thank the book “You Are a Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero. After I decided to quit the 9-5 and follow my passion, this book was what gave me the tools and confidence to do so. I would listen to it on tape every morning and night on my ride to and from work and after the 3-4 times I finished it, I finally got the courage to go for it.

Website: www.fmtsphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fmtsphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fmtsphotography

Image Credits
Braxton Holmes Olivia Villalobos Jen Van Gorden Madeline Miyoko