WHO I AM

My name is Les Wollam. I am a commercial photographer/architectural photographer based in Dallas, Texas. I possess a BFA in Photography from the prestigious Art Center School of Design in LA, which has trained many of the nation’s top photographers.

For several years, I was the assistant to the legendary New York portrait photographer Arnold Newman, whose photographs of Monroe, Mondrian, Stravinsky, Stieglitz and O’Keeffe, Picasso, and more are the iconic images we will always remember them by. Please view my video memoir of Arnold on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/58483558 for a vivid and loving portrait of this once-in-a-lifetime photographer.

Since then, I have worked across the nation for both Fortune 500 companies and smaller businesses, creating on-location photographs for advertisements and annual reports for over a quarter of a century. I have faced almost every kind of photographic challenge, and come back with the pictures.

–Les Wollam
Les@dallas-photographer.us
214.395.4732

WHAT I WILL DO FOR YOU

I know that there are plenty of good photographers, especially here in Dallas, who can take great photographs. You can find them just by searching on Google. What separates me from the rest? Before I go hawking my wares to you, trying to win a job, I want to know what you value in a photographer. In your mind, what makes a good photographer a good photographer? What can I do to make your life easier, to make you look better? Like I said, I know you can hire plenty of photographers here in Dallas to do the job – but are you looking for something more? Someone who can bring the job in on time? Or someone who will listen to you carefully to understand what you want. Or someone who will work with you to flesh out your ideas, instead of simply trying to execute your directions? I understand that you want more than just good photography. I once read a statement by National Geographic’s picture editor that he didn’t need good photographers, he had plenty of good photographers he could call on, he needed good ideas for stories. I know you are in a similar situation – you have plenty of good photographers you can call on, but your needs are beyond, and sometimes simply more practical, than good photography. I want to know what you really need from a photographer, what you really value in a photographer, so I can deliver that to you, along with the excellent photographs that I offer as a given.

–Les Wollam
Les@dallas-photographer.us
214.395.4732

FAVORITE QUOTES ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY, and I love reading things people have said about it. Here, and on the posts of this site, you’ll be able to read some of them. Enjoy.

“You push the button, we do the rest.” - George Eastman - 1888 after the development of Kodak camera.

“Of course it’s all luck.” –  Henri Cartier-Bresson

“If I knew how to take a good photograph, I’d do it every time.” - Robert Doisneau

“The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera.” - Anonymous

“I would say to any artist: ‘Don’t be repressed in your work, dare to experiment, consider any urge, if in a new direction all the better.” -  Edward Weston to Ansel Adams

“Photography is 1% talent and 99% moving furniture.”  -Arnold Newman

“My idea of a good picture is one that’s in focus and of a famous person.” - Andy Warhol

“I always thought of photography as a naughty thing to do – that was one of my favorite things about it, and when I first did it, I felt very perverse.” - Diane Arbus. From Wikipedia: “Photographer of deviant or marginal people, dwarfs, giants, transgender people…” She committed suicide in 1971