Welcome to Plymouth Photo Studio

Do you need fast, high quality photos for your brochure, press release or web page?  Family or business portraiture, in studio or on location?  For twenty-three years your needs have been our top priority. Expect individualized attention, expert service, and record turnaround time.  And thanks to our out central location surrounded by free parking in downtown Rochester, your visit to Plymouth Photo Studio will be a convenient experience that fits into your busy day.

“It is putting one’s head, one’s eye’s and one’s heart on the same axis.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson. Make Plymouth Photo Studio part of your team dedicated to fullfilling your vision whether your project is IN STUDIO or ON LOCATION, call us for an appointment or quote.

December 16, 2009

Historical Midtown Photos for sale.

Classic Midtown, the fountian, Clock, Monorail and flag 2007.A fixture in downtown Rochester since 1962, Midtown Plaza was considered one of the first enclosed urban Malls in the United States, on October 16, 2007 it was annouced that Midtown would be demolished and would make way for the new PAETEC headquarters.  On that day I decided to make a tour of the area and shot the areas of the mall with this signature photo the result:

Containing the essencse of Midtown Plaza, the Fountain, Clock of the Nations, the Monorail, plus the everpresent flags and second story sculptor, I am offering this shot and others on sale for the Holiday seasons.  Call 585-546-8381 and we can discuss sizes and pricing.

December 11, 2009

Rochester's City Hall-an exploration of the scuptural faces located throughout the building.

The most alluring face on Rochester city hallWith work started in 1884, Rochester's present City Hall, was constructed in a building boom by the Federal Government to house Post Offices and Federal courthouses.  Started from a design by Rochester architect Harvey Ellis, but finished by the Federal architects under Mifflen Bell, the building owes it's design to a revival of Romanesque architecture popularized by H. H. Richardson.  Located on all four sides of the building are an interesting collection of sculptural faces- Greenmen-Greenwomen-and Medieval inspired faces of Princes-Princess, exaggerated paupers and fanciful beasts .  Intrigued by the origins and the shear beauty of the sculptors I have photographed and completed a key to the location of every face on the building. On forty-one different locations, usually at the end of a window arch, exist these stone faces...

December 2, 2009

Susan B. Anthony & Fredrick Douglas Bridge

Rochester under the bridge, day shot with the members of the bridge framing RochWith the completion in the last year of the 490 Suspension Bridge, dedicated to Susan Anthony and Fredrick Douglas changed the complection of the Cityscapes that photographers have been shooting of Rochester over the last decade. Working with bridge architects from Erdman Anthony, the City wanted a more dynamic crossing of the Genesee than the previous functional bridge that had existed, Erdman Anthony has succeeded and improved the asthetics of the crossing with a soaring steel arched bridge that now beckons every photographer to try his hand at creating a "signature shot" of Rochester, check out my stock photography section for further shots of Rochester, that are available for purchase for web use or brochures, right now "In the City of..." Business directory uses five of my shots to headline it's Rochester section and the NuLook Collision brochure has a day shot of the Rochester skyline on it's cover.
My favorite angle on Rochester, using the bridge as a frame to the photo.

Hours

Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday By Appointment
Sunday Closed
Plymouth Photo Studio

About the Studio

Since 1912 Plymouth Photo Studio has been a fixture on West Main Street in downtown Rochester, New York. Founded almost one hundred years ago, it was sold to Jacob C. Rappaport in 1916 and was operated by his family until July of 1986 when Jacob's son, Lester Rappaport, sold the studio to its current owner Joseph Wierzbowski. Regardless of the change in ownership, Plymouth Photo Studio continues to specialize in fast and convenient photography and has expanded into high quality portraiture and, recently, new digital technologies. Originally located near Washington Street on West Main the studio moved into the Fenevessy Building in 1923. In a long narrow studio complete with tin ceiling and a Century III camera up front the studio operated at 91 West Main until 1999, when the buildings demolition created the need to move. Plymouth Photo Studio relocated one block east into the historic Executive Building at 36 West Main Street where a newly designed space has updated the studio allowing clients to now pick from a variety of sets and backgrounds for their fine portraiture. Plymouth Photo Studio has outlasted its previous neighbors through continuous production of convenient, fast instant photography and high quality color and black and white portraiture, and hopes to continue doing the same for another four generations.

Photographer Joe Wierzbowski

About the Photographer

Joe Wierzbowski, Plymouth Photo Studio owner, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and a Pittsburgh native, has owned Plymouth Photo Studio since 1986.  It was founded in 1912, making it one of Rochester's oldest operating Photo studios.

My experience in news and commercial photograph has given me the tools to make your project a success.  Whether I'm working with clients from some of Rochester's largest businesses, or taking personal portraits for high school seniors, I will use my talents to make your photos distinctive.  Your business needs vary from photos of employees and principals for PR to products and architectural images; I’m equally at home in Studio or on Location and have twenty- three years experience in doing work for Rochester business in all of these areas.  

Other interest include politics, with experience in working on and running for office and a dedicated interest in, History, Art, and Archaeology. As a member of the Lewis Henry Morgan Chapter of the New York State Archaeology Association I have received a Meritorious Service award, 2004, and sponsored digs in Canandaigua New York where we explored the remains of an urban Blacksmith Shop and collected over 10,000 artifacts for the Finger Lakes Community College, Summer Field school program.

Married, with two, adult children I also assist my wife in running Phoenix Coffee in Canandaigua, New York.  When possible we enjoy exploring Rochester rich past, the beauty of Highland Park and all the culinary delights and scenic areas of the Finger Lakes region.