Welcome to Woeltjen Photography. Gary and David Woeltjen are a father and son team living in North Carolina and Wisconsin respectively. Their enthusiasm for Architectural Photography is inspired by an extensive record of experience in each discipline. Both have had formal education in the field of Architecture and David, a registered Architect continues to design and project manage the implementation of construction documents for commercial projects of all types.
David grew up in St. Paul and has been tenaciously involved in photography for the past 34 years, with a recent focus on Industrial work through his company Leo Daly Architects in Minneapolis.
Gary is a self taught photographer. Growing up in early 50’s in downtown Chicago he was fortunate to find himself surround by buildings that were designed by famous Architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies Van Der Rohe, Holabird & Root, Daniel Burnham and Bruce Graham.
His father, a commercial artist, introduced him to photography at the age of 13 when he took Gary to Central Camera to purchase his first camera an Argus C3 35mm rangefinder. Needless to say Gary caught the bug and proceeded to burn countless rolls of Kodachrome mainly on Architecture. After pursuing a career in Architecture for 30+ years he decided he needed to delve into the technical aspect of photography more with an emphasis on Architectural Photography. In the early 80’s most of the top Architectural photographers were using 4×5 format film cameras so he made the decision to purchase a 4×5 format “Navy” surplus camera for $75. Not being satisfied with the “battleship” grey color he stripped, stained and varnished it so that it at least had the appearance of the real deal. At the same time, much to his wife’s dismay, he converted their laundry room into a darkroom and he was ready jump in the black magic of chemical concoctions.
Gary is convinced that the artistic aspect of photography cannot be taught in a classroom but comes from some gene lying dormant waiting for a spark to bring it to life. His spark came while living in Fort Worth Texas when he crossed paths with a well known Architectural photographer named Art Wall who was a retired and previously employed by the Fort Worth Star Telegram. In his mid 70’s Art had made his home / studio above an old garage. His 700 square foot living space was 80% camera equipment 20% bedroom, bath and kitchen. During Gary’s 3 year friendship with Art he helped him to regain much of his living space by acquiring a good portion of his photography equipment thru assisting in the Darkroom. In exchange Art shared his technical knowledge of the 4×5 camera and lighting gear.
For further information on their work please visit their blog.
