Start by inserting a battery and putting the SD card into the camera and add the lens. Look through the viewfinder on the camera and press the shutter release to create the image. To follow the process step by step was vital in photography and in building a business. Alex Walentowski (11) had his own business and it led up to something bigger.
Walentowski and his camera always had an eye for cars, going to car meets and learning about the people involved. He met one of his clients and future friend at a car meet at Lower Lot in Kenosha.
“I met him at a car meet and he is super passionate about photography, his outgoing energy made me want to work with him,” Juju Domanico said.
Starting at a young age, Walentowski always wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps of being a photographer. His father was a member of Photogroup Kenosha, a local photography club.
“My dad was always really big on photography and I was always really curious on what he was doing, everything pretty much from there is self taught,” Walentowski said.
John Walentowski made photo contests for him and his sister and would come up with ideas for photos. Originally, Walentowski had an android tablet to take his photos.
“He asked to take my DSLR out in the backyard to take some photos,” John said. “He had a really good eye for angles, lighting, and just all around cool pictures.”
The name of Walentowski’s business was “JAWZ.Photography” on all his socials and merchandise, which was newly launched in 2024. He found his name through always liking the movie “Jaws” and his middle name starts with a J.
“I am incredibly impressed and proud of his drive to take things to the next level,” John said. “To watch him work his networking magic, planning and follow through is truly something to see. How many teenagers start their own business and can develop a following just from their skills and talent? Pretty awesome if you ask me.”
Owning a business, as far as prices went, was all up to Walentowski. He still had his primary job as a high school teenager and with photography as a side hustle, there were some conflicts when scheduling a client.
Finding the passion for something you love and being able to do something with it was not something everyone was able to do.
“I realize I can make money by doing what I love,” Walentowski said.
