Walck Portraits Blog

Had a question the other day: "Tim, what do you read"?  This spawned an hour long conversation about books, why each of us liked to read certain materials and why.  So, here is a watered down response! Honestly, I'm not much of a fiction buff.  I'm really into self-improvement readings.  I read them because I feel that no one is perfect (especially me), and these types of readings give me excellent new views on life, and true time tested ways to make myself a better person.  I understand the philosophical debate that the previous statement could spawn, but lets avoid that for now and get to the list! My current reading is The Compound Effect , by Darren Hardy, and up next on the slate is Failing Forward , by John C. Maxwell.  The last book I read was Worth Every Penny , by Sarah Petty.  I highly recommend the Sarah Petty reading to any small business owner - it is fantastic, and entertaining.  I'm only half way through The Compound Effect, b...

I've made a few mistakes with my business and will continue to do so.  Each mistake I make is an opportunity to grow, and continue building a successful and enjoyable career.  The following was my most substantial mistake and greatest growing opportunity to date: THE PROBLEM I was a "Shoot & Burn" photographer - after the photo shoot, I would burn a disc of images with a print release for the client and be done.  Clients rarely ordered prints off my website, though they often would gloat about how much they loved my work.  I would talk with them months later, and find out that they had yet to order prints from anywhere with their CD either. I now realize how much of a disservice that business model was to my clients.  By simply burning a disc and letting clients run free into the world with their beautiful images, I wasn't helping them to put the right image in the right place in the home, on the right type of product to tie everything together. ...

Inspiration for photography is all around me.  I see compositions that interest me everywhere I go.  I love to look at a scene, weather it be in nature, a town, or in my camera room, and then find a new way to create a visual story about it.  For instance - in the collage below, are 4 images of the Courthouse in Coudersport - all taken on the same day, with the same camera, same lens, same focal length, and same f-stop.  Each image is unique, and presents the Courthouse in a different way - which I imagine is much different than most people viewed the building on the same day. The image of the Citizen's Northern was a hired piece.  I was asked to create something to use for their website's header image.  They allowed me creative control, which is excellent.  I had a vision of the bank being backlit by the sun, with beautiful lighting - possibly a sunset or sunrise, and no cars or foot traffic.  Unfortunately non of those conditions were ever ...

Once an order has been placed, it is up to me to properly prepare the images to the specifications needed for the individual lab that will be handling the post processing work. Light Meter.  I use this to calibrate each camera/lens combo, and also to create perfect exposures in the camera room. Now, some may say – “Tim, why don’t you print things yourself?”    Ah, good question.   My answer is this:   I want to spend as much time as I can doing what I do best – creating great images, and designing the end products.   I know a bit about printing, and I also know enough that I would have to hire a full staff, open a much larger shop, or off-site building just to handle print orders.   I also know that there is a multitude of equipment to buy (and provide upkeep for), and then I would have to oversee all of the quality control for those things.   By having a professional lab handle my orders, I am left with more time to spend with clients,...

T his year we are doing things a little differently!  We have Santa available for sessions by appointment.  This means that we can spend a little more time making the most adorable images with Mr. Clause and your kiddos! Of course, you can still come on either Saturday December 6th, or Saturday December 20th from 2-5pm for an Open House with Santa! Egg Nog Will Be Flowing!

Where Craftsmanship Begins for a Wedding & Portrait Artist Brides often gush about the beauty of their wedding images, or how amazing their custom art installation is at their home – or the beauty and quality of their wedding album.   Nothing really makes me feel better than making a client happy – it is very self gratifying to know that I have given someone something that they love, and will last a lifetime. I have spent countless hours honing my skills with camera equipment, from the camera itself to light meters, to remote flash triggering systems, to specialized lens/camera/monitor/projector calibration hardware and software.   I have also spent more time than I can log designing in photoshop, and working with print labs to create perfect printed products.   With all of the above in mind, there is really no piece of equipment, no technique, no product, and no magical way to create a well crafted image without the right pose and expression.  I alw...

There were about 20 images from this batch that were total and utter failures!  I knew the spot had some  great potential, but I wasn't sure how everything would look once I got back to the studio to edit everything. To make the photo, I found this neat old fire escape, and began experimenting with it.  I had to make shade from the sun, and then bring in some lights. I tossed an orange gel over the hair light, and used one key light to the left of the subject.  I just experimented with light and shadows, and we had fun at the session. Turns out that those 20 failed images were totally worth it, because this one is great!   I make it a point to fail at something during every photo session or wedding.   WHAT! ?   Yep.   I know I’m going to do it – I’m going to make an image that is terrible.   I am always trying new things – new ways to direct people, to pose people, new ways to play with light and exposure, to compose an image, new ways t...