WHAT IS LAKE ERIE PHOTO COMPANY?
Formed over a cup of coffee; an adventure begins.
Photo courtesy of Brittany Graham.
With a background in newspaper and visual journalism, Cleveland area photographer Kristin Bauer looked to create a web space for “everything else” that appears on the other side of her camera outside of the world of journalism and the daily grind of working at a newspaper.
Officially founded in 2018, Lake Erie Photo Company is the brainchild of Kristin and Thomas Fetcenko. It was only after much deliberation (maybe a year or two) about a potential name that Lake Erie Photo Company was founded and developed. And there you have it, Lake Erie Photo Company was born out of the chaos and an idea formed over a really good pour-over at Rising Star. Lake Erie Photo Company is ready and open for business— that’s our history!
We work with a documentary style, letting our background in journalism influence the truly authentic moments we capture. We live our lives outside of the studio, and we are sure you do too! Dressed up, dressed down, or somewhere in between— that is really up to you. Together, we want to celebrate your current chapter in life, wherever that place might be. Engagement, wedding, baby, kids, family, pets, new business or anything & everything in between. You tell us. We will be there.
KRISTIN & THOM
One Part Kristin; One Part Thom
Photo courtesy of Monica Maschak.
KRISTIN BAUER
Self-described as “Peebs’ Mom.” Lover of all things pertaining to paddle boarding, figure skating, softball, gardening, century homes and cats. Documenting everything and anything. I’m just over here living life to the fullest with my cats.
Kristin Bauer was named Ohio’s Best News Photographer 2018 by the Press Club of Cleveland. Her work has been recognized by Photographers of the Year International (POYi), William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Ohio Excellence in Journalism, Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Ohio News Photographers Association, Press Club of Cleveland and Big Picture; The Boston Globe in the Most Influential Photographers Under Age 25.
Kristin is currently a staff photographer at The Chronicle-Telegram, where she has worked since 2013, and co-founder of Lake Erie Photo Company. She studied both Photojournalism and Visual Communication Design at Kent State University, located in Kent, Ohio, and Integrated Communications and Marketing at West Virginia University, located in Morgantown, West Virginia. Kristin holds both a Bachelors and Masters degree.
Kristin is currently based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Photo courtesy of Monica Maschak.
THOM FETCENKO
Always busy. Keeper of a million hobbies. Enthusiast of classic cars, military vehicles, vintage aircraft, bluegrass music, boxing, gardening and cats.
Thom got his start in photography by shooting black and white film, which he still does. Presently he is in the process of installing a home darkroom. When Thom met Kristin, he rebelled against buying a digital camera. That is, until Kristin bought him one— Thom reciprocated with buying Kristin another film camera.
Thom freelances at The Chronicle-Telegram, shooting sports and general assignments and is co-founder of Lake Erie Photo Company. He studied communications and political science at Stark State College, located in Stark, Ohio.
Thom is currently based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Our 6 Official Mascots (aka Furkids)
