/// Graham Washatka
Professional & Commercial Photographer

Creating impactful images for businesses

MY STORY

Photography has always been a part of my life. My Mom was a hobbyist with a great eye and encouraged me to follow my interest in it.

At 16, I got a job in the photo department at my local newspaper, The Post-Crescent, and worked alongside some brilliant photojournalists.

There, I learned the importance of storytelling with images and capturing dramatic compositions. I went on to Ohio University for its prestigious Photojournalism program. But, I didn’t last long as a Bobcat. Photography classes were a blast, but the others didn't attract my attention. I left before finishing my freshman year.

Looking for work, I took a position with my family’s trucking company. I drove flatbed trucks across the country for 4 years before becoming the Dispatch and Operations Manager. There, I learned what it takes to run a business and keep employees and clients happy.

While trucking, photography was constantly calling me. I started freelancing for the Post-Crescent and took every shoot that came my way. My photography business grew organically from there. By 2017, I had given up trucks and traded them for cameras.

I still have that photojournalistic foundation that I built as a kid, and apply that to commercial photography for my clients today. Figuring out what my clients need to create solid branding and hitting the target is the call that keeps me fascinated by this craft everday.

The Fam

My wife Erin, adult son Evan, and school aged kids Stella, Emma and Liam.

FAA PART 107 DRONE PILOT CERTIFIED

I am also an FAA certified drone pilot which has added an important tool to my architecture photography and event photography services as I’m able to capture stunning bird’s eye views and panoramic images.

work with me +

BLOG

Featured

A New Way of Construction: Modular Buildings

The Boldt Company hired me last Fall to take photos of a unique crane lift, as part of the new Lawrence University and Trout Museum of Art building in downtown Appleton. A total of 46, 72ft x 13ft, developed by Minneapolis-based RISE Modular, were lifted by a crane to construct the top two floors of the building. These modular units will become market-rate apartments over a first-floor museum, and potentially for Lawrence University student housing in the future.

Women in Wisconsin’s AEC Industry

When I first started photographing for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) clients, I noticed something striking—room after room, job site after job site, the faces I captured were overwhelmingly male. Whether it was boardrooms, design studios, or construction sites, women were often absent or vastly outnumbered. And when I did meet women in these spaces, they were exceptional—not just in talent, but in the way they had navigated industries that weren’t always built with them in mind.

That realization became the foundation for Women at Work, a photo project dedicated to highlighting the women shaping the AEC world.

Project Spotlight: Howard Commons

The new Howard Commons in Howard, Wisconsin opened to the public Labor Day weekend in September 2023 after a year-long construction phase by Miron Construction. The space was designed by Shive-Hattery who was challenged to create a space that reinforces a sense of community, and provides space for outdoor reflection, interaction, performance, and fun!

San Francisco and San Francisco to Denver

This past February, Graham Images was hired by Boldt to travel to California for a week-long shoot. On the trip back, I was lucky enough to land myself in a window seat with a great view and a camera on board.

Project Spotlight: Stevens Point Brewery New Hospitality Center for The Boldt Company

Stevens Point Brewery celebrated the opening of its new Hospitality Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this past spring.

Graham Images was hired by The Boldt Company for a dual-purpose on this project - to capture the ribbon cutting event and to take architectural images of the completed project showcasing the work that Boldt completed. Having the opportunity to take photos to serve different purposes for the client in the same shoot keeps our work challenging, fun, and always different.

Project Spotlight: You Are Here Exhibit

‘You Are Here’ is not just an exhibition, it is an experience. Hands-on interactives make the past relevant. Rare photographs capture the imagination, and irreplaceable artifacts connect us with bygone generations.

Graham Images partnered with the History Museum to take images of the artifacts in You Are Here exhibit, photograph the opening reception event, and to photograph the Museum's architectural details on the exterior and interior of the building.

clients are saying…

“ThedaCare has worked with Graham Images on many photography projects over the years. Graham is a talented, detail-oriented professional, asking in-depth questions on the objectives of the work to ensure the product meets expectations.

Graham is creative in his thinking, always producing best-in class-work, bringing his passion to life through photography. His post production work is very impressive as well. I would highly recommend Graham for your commercial photography needs.”

Jon Ollmann, Director, Marketing & Brand Strategy // ThedaCare