How Kip Cothran Built KC Photography and Found Community at Trusted Business Partners

When did you know what you wanted to do with your life? Kip Cothran knew at 8, the day he printed his first picture. Today, the Trusted Business Partners member runs KC Photography in the Murrieta and Temecula area. More than four decades in, the magic hasn’t worn off.

Still Chasing the Magic of a Fresh Print

What got him was the magic of processing. From that first print on, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

By high school, he had his eye on a local photographer’s senior portrait business. He wanted those clients. So he photographed seniors and models until he had the craft down. On May 27, 1983, he got his business license, and KC Photography was official.

Kip is an instant gratification kind of guy, and that trait sparked more than one aha moment. Why make people wait for their pictures? He sets up a backdrop and studio lights, shoots tethered to a computer, and prints right there on location.

At events, couples step in front of his backdrop and have their photo in hand about 15 seconds later.

That same approach took him across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah for championship sports team pictures. Picture it: the youth hockey championship game is won, the kids are celebrating, and the parents are nearby watching with pure joy. Kip runs out onto the ice, photographing each player with the trophy. He then builds those shots into team pictures that capture the win.

Then came the plaques. He printed 8×10 plaques at $60 each, and in a single day he sold 120 of them. That’s 10 full cases and $7,200.

Four decades on, Kip is still the photographer in the room. At TBP, each group accepts only one business per profession, so that seat is his.

A Lifelong Connector at Trusted Business Partners

Kip has been part of the Murrieta and Temecula Chambers of Commerce since the early 2000s. More than 15 years ago, he added TBP, starting with the Diamonds chapter. Today he’s a member of the Canyon Lake “Synergy” chapter.

He didn’t stay in one room, either. He visited other TBP chapters to get his name out and meet more business owners.

At heart, Kip is a connector. Networking was never only about landing his own clients. He loves putting people together with the right professionals. And yes, he’s always wanted business from TBP too.

That spirit is what Trusted Business Partners is built on. Members form lasting connections within their chapters and exchange qualified leads through a structured referral program.

So what has TBP given him? Visibility, first of all. People know who he is, members help put his name out there, and he’s received some referrals. He also values his member contacts and the savings and benefits that come with membership.

Three Shoots in Two Years, and Still Not Quitting

Not every year has been kind. Kip has felt like throwing in the towel, especially when people don’t seem to value photography. During COVID, he had just three photo shoots in two years.

He made it through, just not with a camera. And he’s clear about the future: he’ll never retire, never stop taking pictures, and never stop loving photography.

His advice to newer photographers isn’t about taking pretty pictures. It’s about education and learning to run a business in one of the hardest industries in the world.

• Get a business education. A business degree teaches you how to run a company.
• Know your numbers. They apply to any business you’ll ever run.
• Skip the shortcuts. Anyone can take pictures, but reels and YouTube videos won’t teach you the trade.
• Learn hands-on. Spend five full days with one instructor and live models. Study in the morning, then practice lighting and posing in the afternoon.

That kind of commitment fits Trusted Business Partners. The organization accepts only reliable, motivated professionals, and its members give back to the communities they serve.

Meet Kip and the TBP Family

Want to see what four decades behind the camera looks like? Explore Kip’s portrait, event, and sports team photography at KC Photography. And if you want a networking family that supports one another, we’d love for you to explore membership with Trusted Business Partners.