Hi! I’m Russ — the photographer, educator, and gear nerd behind KewlTek Photography. If you’re new to photography and trying to make sense of your camera, you’re in the right place. I teach the stuff I wish someone explained to me back when I was struggling with the basics.
I’m a commercial food and product photographer based in Lacey, Washington. My work has been used across major platforms including DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub, Cars & Bids, Bring-a-Trailer, and even the MICHELIN Guide , which featured one of my food images in a published article. Seeing my photos pop up in places I never expected taught me something important:
Good images travel farther than you think.
And your images can too — once you understand how your camera really works.
I started KewlTek Photography to help beginners build confidence with clear, straightforward lessons on camera settings, lenses, lighting, and real-world shooting. No jargon. No gatekeeping. Just simple guidance from someone who has been exactly where you are.
Over the years, I’ve photographed everything from youth football in Pacific Northwest rainstorms (three seasons’ worth!) to senior portraits, restaurant menu items, handcrafted drinks, luxury bottles, classic cars, and everything in between. My photos have been featured by local businesses, used worldwide by brands and content creators, and even published in an annual bank calendar.
But the heart of this site is teaching.
If you can pick up your camera, feel excited, and say,
“I finally understand this now,”
then I’ve done my job.
When I’m not in the studio experimenting with lighting or working with local restaurants, you’ll find me exploring the outdoors with my family, tinkering with personal projects, or working my way up to one day shooting in a full commercial food studio with a stylist and digitech team.
Thanks for being here.
Let’s level up your photography — one clear, practical lesson at a time.
If you’d like to see my commercial food and product photography work, you can browse my portfolio at KewlTekPhotography.com .