The man. The myth. The legend.

For more than 10 years, Gold Coast [CEO] John Gertz has leveraged his own experience as an actor/model and skilled photographer to provide valuable insight for his clients. A south Florida native, John Gertz discovered a love for photography while studying advertising at the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute (1985 alum).

It was about this time when he also began acting. As luck would have it, his first audition landed him in a national commercial for the New York Times. Once he learned what ‘residuals’ were, there was no turning back! Over the next 20 years, Gertz worked as an actor and model for hundreds of productions in south and central Florida – resulting in an unrivaled circle of contacts within the industry.

In the mid-1990s, Gertz became more aware of the fundamental need for a good photographer within the acting/modeling industry. Throughout his career, Gertz had continued to hone his skills as a photographer, regularly producing high quality work for friends and colleagues.

When Gertz became a full-time professional photographer, it took a few years for the agents and talent to view him as something other than an actor. But eventually, his outstanding work, industry knowledge, and his talent-friendly attitude began to get him noticed.

Still an active member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), John Gertz is one of only a handful of photographers who work regularly with many of the best known talent agencies in
South Florida.