Bob Schlesinger grew up in Rochester, New York – home of photography giant Eastman Kodak – so it was no surprise that he became a commercial photographer. Indeed, when he was a kid, he used to buy outdated Kodak products to use in his home darkroom.
He’s come a long way since those days, and like most commercial and amateur photographers, has gone digital.
"Most of my business is weddings, family vacation portraits and villas," he said.
Schlesinger and his wife, Karin, own Tropical Focus. The St. John-based company been in business several years, but Karin Schlesinger recently came on board as photo editor.
Photography was always Schlesinger’s first love, but he spent most of his adult life working in other careers.
With a bachelor’s degree in physics from Syracuse University, a master’s degree in the same subject from Brandeis University and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Tufts University on his resume, he went to work for defense contractors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
"I worked on electronic warfare," he said.
When the federal government started cutting back defense contracts, Schlesinger was out of a job. He segued his experience into computer technology, a skill that got him a job in 1997 at the long-defunct St. John company, Bestech.
"They sent me everywhere to fix computers," he said.
After five years at that job, he was offered an information technology job by Globalvest Management Corp. When the company closed up most of its doors about four years ago, Schlesinger decided it was time to move full-time into photography.
There are some challenges involved with Caribbean photography, including the glaring mid-day sun.
"It’s brutal down here and you have to compensate," he said.
His wife pointed out that he’s become so skilled in solving strong sunlight problems he’s thinking of writing a book on how to shoot photos in the tropics. And he added that his skills in this area have convinced mainland photographers to hire him to shoot their weddings.
Schlesinger also photographs teenagers on vacation who want their senior portraits done in an exotic locale.
When he’s not behind the camera, Schlesinger, 53, is busy with Rotary Club of St. John activities. Now the club secretary, he’ll serve as president in 2010-2011. He also takes photos of every Rotary meeting speaker and at the various Rotary events.
He and his wife also make time to travel. This year saw trips to London, Disney World in Florida, to St. Maarten, and to see family in upstate New York and New Hampshire.
"We like to travel every two months," he said.
Those interested can call Schlesinger at 642-9696 or visit Tropical Focus’ website at www.tropicalfocus.com.
