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“I love to make people happy”
-- Josh Rotsten
Photographers concentrate on settings, shutter speeds and apertures. Josh Rotsten concentrates on people. Yes, the accomplished Bay Area photographer knows all the tricks of the trade, but his vision, his dedication, his drive is to produce images with a distinct personal touch.
“People are so diverse, it stirs my curiosity,” says Josh, an LA native who’s called Petaluma, Calif. home for more than 30 years. “People have fascinated me my whole life. It’s the differences, the nuances in people that attract me and catches my eye. This is what I want to emphasize in my photography, whether it’s a wedding, personal portrait, group shot or a session with families and kids. The uniqueness of the subject, their inner personality… I want to bring that out, spotlight it and capture it through the lens.”
Josh’s fascination with people and photography go back to his childhood, a time where his father, Herman, would breakout the twin lens Rolliflex and start shooting. “As a toddler, I can remember my dad and his camera. He was always taking pictures of me. That’s where it began.”
Flash forward a few years and Josh was now slinging Herman’s Rolliflex, creating his own magic in the lens. “My dad inspired me to continually get better.” One key form of father-to-son advice and encouragement was to simply “have fun with the camera.” Josh has taken that to heart. “My photography combines the typical and obscure. It’s a mix of humor and oddball; different and interesting. Above all, I have fun capturing special moments in a special time in a special place.”
Photography leads Josh to college to hone his craft. He started studying the greats like Diane Arbus, one of his personal favorites. Soon there are one-man photo shows, cover shoots, a loved profession. He’s guided from the concrete and craziness of Los Angeles to the serenity of Sonoma county, in the wine country. Photo assignments aplenty ensue, from the City of San Francisco to local shops to colorful characters. The impressive resume builds with more weddings, intimate portraits and commercial jobs, all taken from Josh’s creative, personal perspective.
A reputation grows, as does an inspired, imaginative style. Josh takes it in low-key stride. “The best compliment I ever got was from a family I took photos of 25 years ago. They told me they were still up on the wall and they love them as much today as when we took them. I was really touched because that’s what I want my photography to do. I love to make people happy.”
Herman and his Rolliflex would be proud.
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