Tyler Wirken

Founder/Primary Photographer

As a documentary photographer in Kansas City, I live by the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid) and don’t rely on a bunch of fancy tech or fuss. Instead, I depend on my training as a newspaper photojournalist and a life filled with experience under pressure. That training and experience taught me to be patient and wait for the shot, to embrace adversity, and problem solve on the fly. I capture real, raw, and un-posed moments instead of creating them.

Real life is beautiful – it doesn’t need to be staged.

I learned how to be a photographer from my dad. He’s not a photographer but a very wise man. He taught me that “any job worth doing is worth doing right”. He made me a perfectionist and taught me how to embrace a challenge and enjoy it. Most of our challenges over the years have revolved around vintage British cars. There’s nothing like tinkering with a old Land Rover to help you problem solve and look at a task in a new way. Often it meant the difference between getting home or not. We love a good trail fix.

Our off-road adventures taught me to be flexible, patient, and go with the flow. We had the most fun when things didn’t go according to plan. Photography is like that, too. The best images are often surprises. You just have to have faith it will all come together in the end and you will get home.

That Land Rover is still in my garage today. It’s authentic, timeless and unpretentious – like great photography should be.

Pam Wirken

Co-Founder/studio manager

Behind every successful business is highly organized person. Pam thrives on not only being crazy organized but prompt. She is a machine and gets more done before 10 am than UPS. She keeps this ship afloat behind the scenes. When you call ask her about her highlighter collection.