The Wacker Family Alien Biography

Photographers- Click Here to view the Wackers' Program / Class Schedule and Educational Materials

102 years- they’ve taken a licking but keep on clicking. The Wacker Family (L-R: J.D., Jean, and Dave) represent the third and fourth generations of a professional photographic legacy. From glass plates to film to digital; from flash powder to flash bulbs to electronic strobes; from Vaseline to pencils to oils to tablets and pens – they’ve seen it all. They survived several transitions that were forecasted to bring certain death to the professional photographer, because “now everyone can do it”.

A virtual tripod of talent: Dave (“Doc”) – the main Management/Marketing Man, Jean (“Mom”) – the Artist, and J.D. (“Head Geek” / “Son Of Bosses”) the Photo-techie, lead J.D. Imaging Solutions Inc / Photography by J.D. through the ever-changing photographic space. Specializing in portraiture and commercial imaging in a small town in Wisconsin, the threesome aim to serve their clients a smorgasbord of products of superior quality and cutting-edge variety.

The three are all recognized internationally as leaders in their fields. All three are PPA Certified Master Photographers, Photo Craftsman, Approved Imaging Instructors, Affiliated Jurors, have work exhibited in collections worldwide and are Kodak Professional Mentors (Click Here to visit their Kodak Mentor Page). Jean and J.D. are also PPA Masters of Electronic Imaging.

Knowing that the professional photographic industry is a giant team effort of photographers, manufacturers, suppliers, software designers, and labs, the Wackers’ strive to not only serve their clients the best possible images, but to give back to the industry that has provided for their family since 1906. They have lectured and taught classes in most of the states and several countries. Support from several manufacturers and suppliers (including Eastman Kodak) makes it possible for them to share their experience with thousands of imagers annually. Their self-published book, “The Wackers; Digital Cookbook and CD TM”, in its seventh revision, often serves as their class text. It offers image capture, processing, and marketing techniques, step-by-step retouching and enhancement tutorials (with provided images for over 80 recipes). J.D.’s book, “The Master Posing Guide for Portrait Photographers” was an Amazon best-selling portraiture book.

Their programs, workshops, and classes are all very comprehensive. From posing and lighting demonstrations, to sales and marketing strategy, to hands-on digital retouching and enhancement to final image delivery, they serve a several–course meal full of the information necessary for survival in the photographic marketplace. No canned video programs here! The Wackers not only tell you how to do it, they demonstrate and help. Most of their techniques are home-grown recipes developed through necessity in their business’ own daily life. But, when a better mousetrap comes along, they’re not afraid to upgrade and pass on the good word. Long time Aliens; the Wackers have used Alien Skin Eye Candy and Xenofex to creatively enhance their portraits. Now, they can’t control their excitement about Exposure, Blow Up, and particularly Snap Art. They know that professionals can’t continue spending endless hours being slaves to their computers and expect to be profitable. It’s time for them to “Get their life back”! Snap Art has helped them create “Painted Portraits” that used to take hours or even days to hand-work, in minutes! “The effects are great, the presets are great, Snap Art is just great!”, the Wackers cheer. Oil Paint is their #1 favorite filter, but they love them all, including pencil sketch, pointillism, comics, and stylize.

You can see the Wacker’s Snap Art Gallery at www.photobyjd.com/snapgallery. Contact them at fyi@photobyjd.com if you have any questions about how they use Alien Skin plug-ins or for information about their educational materials, programs, workshops, and classes.

For discount prices on all Alien Skin Products, go to www.alienskin.com/?affiliate=262025.