BRIEF HISTORY

In 1999, as John turned 21, he journeyed West and settled down in San Diego where he had dreamed of living since he was a young boy. There he immersed himself in the Southern CA surf community and began his apprenticeship with legendary surf photographer and bikini manufacturer Aaron Chang. John studied with Aaron and other photographers such as Joel Zwink and Jerimiah Sullivan for 14 months. They helped to expand the genre’s of photography John was interested in to include – Fashion, Modeling, Portraiture, Swimwear, Events, and other Action Sports.

In early 2003, John Cocozza, began his career at Surfshot Media., which eventually working up the ladder held the positions of Staff Photographer,  Account Executive, Marketing Dir., Online Content Mgn.   Continuing education is always important in building a craft.  While working his career at Surfshot Media, John at the same time enrolled in San Diego City College’s Photography and Visual Arts Dept. There he studied with photography instructors Tor Euland, David King, Marv Sloben, and Annie Lemoux. Outside of formal schooling, John partnered with local San Diego fashion photographer, Brian Goodloe.