Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Mackowski.
Bob, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Whew, it’s a long and winding road that got me here. Here goes…
I grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college there, studying Radio & TV Communications. I took my first TV job in Waco, TX, of all the random places that I could’ve gone. I began my career as a TV News Photographer there and continued it in West Palm Beach, FL and as the Chief Photographer in New Bern, NC. When I moved to North Carolina, I assumed that it would be just another stop and I’d be off to some other city in 2-3 years. Instead, I fell in love with NC and put down roots.
I was ready for a change after six years in an industry filled with turmoil but I still wanted to use the skills that I’d acquired. I began my photography business in 2010. After a brief overlap with my news job, I went full-time in the business in 2011. Open Aperture Photography was initially a wedding photography business. I had the privilege to photograph some wonderful weddings with some of the best clients that you could dream of.
The years rolled by and in 2019, I decided to make a change, jumping from wedding photography into commercial photography and videography. I’ve successfully done that ever since, with specialties in headshots, branding, and corporate and community events.
In 2024, I made a huge leap for me: I moved to Greenville, NC to be with my fiancée. It’s only about an hour from where I was in New Bern but it was a big shift, moving from the city that I thought would be my forever home. We recently made the move down the road to Winterville, NC, where you can currently find me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been far from smooth. It’s been rocky with plenty of ups and downs.
While I was moving up the TV news career ladder, I was moving down the situational happiness ladder. I thought that things would get better with each move that I made; instead, they got worse. That’s what drove me from my first career. I needed a change.
Owning a business is full of struggles. It took me over two years before my business really took off. It cruised along for years before it started to sputter. Eventually, I was confronted with a decision. I could either close my business or I could pivot and change my specialty. I chose the latter and it’s been tremendous. The last three years have been record years for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Open Aperture Photography?
Open Aperture Photography is a commercial photography and videography business. While I handle all needed business photos and videos, my specialties lie in headshots, branding, and corporate and community events. I cover all of Eastern North Carolina, including the Triangle.
I hope to be known for my approachability and client care. My photos and videos mostly speak for themselves; either somebody is going to think they’re a good fit or they aren’t. What you can’t see in the final product is the five emails and phone calls that I traded with the client in order to make this shoot perfect for them. What’s more, I answer emails quickly. I even answer the phone!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I appreciate this opportunity to be featured. Let me know if you have any business photo or video needs!
Pricing:
- Shoot pricing varies
- Custom quotes available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.openapphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openapphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openapphoto
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmackowski/
- Other: https://www.bobmackowski.com
