Commercial photography always had certain appeal to Eric Stashak, who owns and operates Stashak Photography, 328 Government Place.
Growing up, Stashak said his father's job as a structural engineer called for him take a lot of pictures, and coupled with owning a dark room in his childhood basement, sparked an interest that developed into the pursuit of a career in the photography trade.
Stashak said he also had a fascination with advertisement photography in magazines, as well, which led him to eventually study at the Art Institute in Philadelphia.
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Photgrapher Eric Stashak and his assistant Jennifer Moore of Stashak Photography,
328 Government Place, work together to produce advertisements for local and
regional companies.
After having spent time working as a freelance assistant for other commercial photographers in metropolitan areas like New York City and Washington, D.C., the photographer opened his own studio here in Williamsport in 1993.
The state-of-the-art studio, which Stashak said he renovated in 1996, sits behind the Bullfrog Brewery.
However, Stashak said the majority of his work is done on location.
His typical day begins at about 8 a.m., he said, and depending on the work involved - if it's on location - Stashak will pack up the truck, work on constructing a set around the product, configure the proper lighting and "pray the weather holds up."
While working in the studio offers a more obviously controlled environment, he said, about 70 percent of his work is done on location.
As with any job that deals with technology, photography has been making its advances in its capabilities since about the year 2000, Stashak added, when he switched over to a more digital platform.
"It's revolutionized the way I do business," he said.
Digital photography allows him to see what he's doing right away, which makes it immediately ready for press, he said.
The advent of new technology also grants him the opportunity to be more creative in his prints, as computer software programs help enhance the images.
The software and technology increases allow Stashak to be more creative with his images, should a company allow him to do so, as well as gives him the ability to have more control over the whole process from start to finish.
Not only does the technology provide for more efficiency in the photography process, it also cuts back on expenses and creates a more environmentally-friendly job, as chemicals and their disposals are no longer needed.
Recently, Stashak completed work on a large admissions packet for Lock Haven University, which took about nine months to do, he said.
Also, he's taken on a large project for the Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton that will be use hospitals belonging to the Susquehanna Health System as part of its campus.
Locally, Stashak said his biggest clients are Brodart and Shop-Vac.
Stashak said despite the economic downturn, his sales are up by about 10 percent this year.
Jennifer Moore is employed as Stashak's assistant, who handles much of the computer work.
For more information, visit ericstashak.com/ or call 321-9536.
