Garry Geer was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1944 on the day of FDR’s fourth election. In 1962 he picked up a camera and, basically, he has never put it down since. In 1970, he arrived in Rochester, NY to attend the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a BFA degree. This was followed by a MFA degree from the College of Fine Arts, Experimental Studios, at Syracuse University.

Since then, Garry has resided in Rochester, making his livelihood as a commercial photographer. From 1981 through 1986, he and his wife Anne lived in Manhattan, pursuing their respective careers. Upon their return to Rochester, Garry concentrated his photographic efforts on the corporate world, doing executive portraiture, public relations coverage, editorial illustration, and product photography.

I have been taking pictures since I was a child. I have been making images since my late teens. The common element in most of the shots I create is people. I enjoy collaborating with them to produce a visual story. People’s faces, body gesture and environment rendered with decisive lighting make for responsive imagery. We all have our histories. I see it as my responsibility to sum them up in a photograph.

Sometimes the challenge lies in creating photographs without people. Again, lighting and what you can eliminate from the scene are what tell the story so directly. It is similar to sculpture. You have to realize the potential by showing the essence of what is to be depicted.

Finally, it is about fun. You can work hard and concentrate, but it does not have to be a joyless experience. I try to bring out the fun in a project for the subject, the client, and myself.

All personal work is available as stock photography.