A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

What began as a lack of photographers at college parties turned into one of the most enduring and innovative success stories in the photography industry. Jack Counts Jr., founder and president of Candid Color Systems (CCS), recently shared his story on the Original Portrait Photographers podcast, hosted by Michael and TJ Rak with the SPAC Conference – an annual tradeshow that CCS proudly sponsors and energizes each year. This year, with an Elton John impersonator, of course. Because standard opening acts just don’t cut it when Jack’s involved.

His story, a mix of vision, tenacity, and more than a few clever workarounds, proves that innovation often begins where necessity and a little mischief meet.

A Camera, a Fraternity, and the Spark of Something Big

More than five decades ago, while attending college, Jack noticed an opportunity: no one was taking photos at student events. He picked up a camera and recruited his fraternity brothers, who didn’t need much convincing, it turns our photographing sorority functions was a pretty easy sell.

From that playful beginning, Jack laid the foundation for a serious business. What started on one campus grew rapidly as CCS began processing thousands of rolls of film over the weekend, then rushing them to sorority meetings by Monday. The company soon expanded from the University of Oklahoma to schools like SMU and LSU, fueled by relationships and a core promise: speed and customer choice. That promise would eventually be branded as ViewFirst, a concept that remains central to CCS’s identity today.

From Film to Facilities: Scaling the Vision

As the business matured, it became clear that quality and efficiency required infrastructure. CCS opened its first photo lab in Oklahoma City, allowing the team to manage production from start to finish. Their first processor was the now-infamous Kodak Versamat – endearingly nicknamed “The Versacrunch” due to its habit of eating film like it was late for lunch.

In time, CCS upgraded to Swiss-engineered Cindy processors and Gray Tag printers, which featured 45-degree mirrors enabling midstream image redirection. For its time, this was considered advanced technology, and it was instrumental in allowing CCS to meet demand without sacrificing precision or speed.

Glamour Shots, MotoPhoto, and a Peek into the Future

Throughout the 1980s, CCS was not only responding to industry shifts – it was driving them. One of the company’s most well-known ventures was Glamour Shots, a brand that introduced real-time image previews long before digital became standard. At the time, most studios were still developing negatives while CCS was already letting customers decide if they liked their shot on the spot. This changed the way the industry operated and the vision for the future.

In fact, Jack was doing digital previews before digital cameras were even invited to the conversation. It was this relentless creativity that also led CCS to franchise a one-hour photo lab chain called MotoPhoto. After building up eight labs, CCS eventually sold its stake – proof that Jack knew when to pivot and when to double down.

These ventures reinforced the company’s commitment to speed, customer empowerment, and scalable systems – principles still evident in every facet of CCS today.

A Founder Who Never Stops Moving

Even now, Jack remains deeply involved. He’s the kind of leader who boards a 6 a.m. flight to a tradeshow, absorbs insights, and returns home that same night with a list of new ideas. His energy is contagious, and his mindset hasn’t changed: always stay ahead of the industry curve and deliver tools that help photographers grow their business (and have fun doing it!)

From the start, CCS has built an amazing team that has helped the business grow and thrive. Having a dedicated and hard-working team has made all the difference in the success of this company. As of 2025, we have 239 active employees with a combined 1,630 years of experience! It is a family here at Candid, and we always take care of one another; it truly is special.

From the early days of rushing film to sorority houses, to deploying high-speed digital systems, CCS has evolved – without ever compromising its values.

Every Picture Tells a Story: Make Sure You’re the One Holding the Camera

Photography is about more than just images. It’s about memories, milestones, and moments that deserve to be preserved and presented with care. At CCS, we’ve spent over 50 years building the systems, tools, and support structures that allow volume photographers to do just that – scale, and with excellence.

So, whether you’re a photographer just starting out or a seasoned pro looking to grow, consider partnering with a team that has helped shape this industry from the ground up.

Click below to open an account and learn more about how CCS can transform your business. You can also watch the full Original Portrait Photographers podcast episode featuring Jack Counts Jr. on Facebook.

Because every picture tells a story – and when speed, creativity, and customer choice are on your side, it’s one worth framing.