Steven Wohlwender is a photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area who shoots advertising and editorial work. His work was just highlighted in the Fresh section of the Communication Arts 50th Anniversary issue and has appeared in the last two Photography Annuals.

10.27.09

Nothing Comes Close To Reality

If you have a degree in what field is it? Advertising.

What was your strangest assignment? Toilet training my daughters.

Which photographer would you like to meet? Cinematographer Robert Richardson.

What famous person (living or dead) would you most like to photograph? Daniel Boone.

Aside from your camera and lighting, what item could you not work without? A compass.

Is there anything you would not digitally retouch? Editorial work on serious subject matter; nothing comes close to reality. And, in the case of retouching, less is usually more.

From where do your best ideas originate? Reading.

How do you overcome a creative block? Reading.

Do you have creative pursuits other than photography? No. I've tried everything else. My strengths are here.

What music are you listening to right now? I just watched/listened to Lynyrd Skynyrd on YouTube, doing “Call Me The Breeze.” The piano half way through that...!

What’s your approach to balancing work and life? My wife tells me when i have to take a break from work.

What’s your favorite quote? I don't know who said it but, “The guy who says he never had a chance is the guy who never took one.”

Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? One of my last photo shoots as an art director at Leo Burnett was with Walter Iooss. When I told him i was going to make the switch from art director to photographer he said to me, “It’s a long road for all of us.”

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? How important it is to stay in touch with people.