In 1971 I started working at the Kraft Foods printing department operating a Photostat camera, while studying photography at night attending Columbia College in Chicago. In 1973 the Kraft photo studio director Fitz Lee hired me. I spent 5 & 1/2 years at the Kraft photo studio where I refined my talents in still life, food, location, people and product photography.
In July 1978 I opened my own commercial photography studio in Chicago. I work mostly in digital format these days but I still shoot film when need or requested from 8x10 to 35mm. My portfolio includes food, still life, people, location and nature photography. My work has appeared in national advertisements and label packaging for many leading consumer product companies.
Some of my most recent projects include photography for Home Run Inn Pizza, Guild for the Blind, Armour/Eckrich, Barton Beers, McCain Foods, Perstages, WGN Radio, ConAgra Foods and McDonald’s. I enjoy creating outdoor sets in the studio. As well as existing light and outdoor location photography.
. Some of my favorite subjects are urban scenes, nature photography both traditional and abstract, still life, landscapes, and portraits. I often photograph city scenes, especially night shots with long exposures. The film becomes so beautifully saturated and incredibly sharp. In recent years I have traveled to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico to photograph the Mayan ruins. The light at some of those locations seems mystical at times. My end goal would be to work on my city, nature, travel and people projects, and take an occasional commercial assignment.
My work has been on exhibit in Chicago several times in recent years. My studio is located at 346 N. Justine St. Suite # 203 Chicago IL. 60607 phone 312-421-2225 e-mail tomfirak@ameritech.net
