In 1967, Jim French began photographing men under the pseudonym, Rip Colt. His expressly masculine and erotic style took the world of ‘beefcake photography’ a step further, ending the closeted sexuality that lay beneath the school of physique photography and displaying it with a boldness that is instantly recognizable and timeless. As French developed COLT Studio, he produced powerful erotic images of the male nude, which became icons of male sexuality. The deceptively simple focus on the pure form of the male nude, set in an erotically charged setting, is the standard the studio set for itself, as well as the high standard of the physiques their cameras so beautifully capture. Today COLT Studio Group does not photograph just any men, but what the world now knows as COLT Men. These models exude a strength, masculinity and fearless sexuality that the studio’s artists photograph and display in such classic forms, as to maintain the timeless standards set by the founder, Jim French.  

In 2003, it was time for COLT Studio to change hands and into none better than the multi-award winning director and producer John Rutherford. After 14 years at the Falcon Family of Companies, Rutherford was fortunate “to continue the legacy of what the legendary Jim French created, while blending it seamlessly with the continuing evolution of COLT Studio.”  He has produced and directed dozens of features so far for the new COLT Studio Group. Along with John, came his life and business partner Tom Settle, as Chief Financial Officer. Tom has been involved with the motion picture industry for nearly 20 years, starting in the mailroom of Creative Artists Agency, and eventually becoming Chief Financial Officer of ESC Entertainment, the digital production arm of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Studio, before joining COLT Studio Group.

  Rutherford’s evolving vision for COLT Studio Group includes Kristofer Weston who joined the team as Marketing & Events Coordinator and the primary Director of the Buckshot Productions line. Kristofer worked at Falcon Studios after having helmed MASTA Entertainment. Weston’s style is part of the successful revival of the Buckshot Productions line and is an important part of COLT Studio Group’s “continuing evolution.”  Not to be ignored is the chief videographer and editor of COLT Studio Group, award winner, Max Phillips. Max began his association with John Rutherford at Falcon Studios, where he was an integral part of close to 90 productions, before joining COLT Studio Group.