Leavenworth Maintains Commercial Niche

Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Jul 01, 2003 by Sands, Amy

Behind the camera doesn't mean behind the scenes; producing still photos doesn't involve sitting still for Roger Boettcher, owner of Leavenworth Photographics Indeed, he's had to stay out in front and on his feet to keep up with the enormous changes in his profession since the mid-1940s when he first picked up a camera. The longevity of his business has resulted from evolving with technology, and adapting to changes in the economic climate of the community in which he does business.

Boettcher got into photography as a hobby while in high school. His cameras got bigger and better as his interest grew' He began processing his own film in his bathtub and learned to make prints in his uncle's basement-turned-darkroom.

"I ended up chasing ambulances and fire trucks, taking more pictures and selling them to the Lansing State Journal and the Holt Recorder and people like that; photographing school events; and had my own little business in and just out of high school, photographing and selling prints," said Boettcher.

Then, in 1951 he joined the Marine Corps as an aerial photo technician. While in the service, he fine-tuned his skills, photographing events, products and people; taking correspondence courses; and learning from fellow photographers. "I learned a lot there. I felt very well prepared to go into industrial work," said Boettcher.

Industrial photography became his niche. After his time with the Marines, Boettcher came back to Lansing and worked for a company called General Pictures for a few years, then worked on his own for a while. In April 1956, he got a call from Hiram Marple, then-owner of Leavenworth Photographics, asking Boettcher to come to work for him. He took the opportunity to work for Leavenworth Photographics, a company with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. In 1962, Marple and Boettcher become equal partners. Marple died in 1987, and after his estate was settled, Boettcher and his wife, Nancy, became sole owners.

For many years, Boettcher spent the majority of his time photographing cars, automotive parts and other factory-related subjects. He recalls when a few Lansing-based commercial photographers handled 50 to 60 huge industrial accounts.

"Examples like Diamond Reo and Oldsmobile," said Boettcher. "And your tool and die shops in town, like Lansing Drop Forge, Atlas Drop Forge, Federal Drop Forge-these were all big accounts that we and the other commercial photographers in town did a lot of work with. Today, they're all gone."

The automotive plants that remain, and the new industrial work that has moved to the area, have different needs than those companies of Leavenworth's past. With the ease of digital photography, most plants find it's advantageous to employ their own photographers.

"The plants themselves have their own photographers and they do their own work. I haven't been in the (General Motors] plant in the last five years, and I used to live down there. So it's a big change."

Seeing the changes in his profession, Boettcher began calling on associations, architects, general contractors and construction companies. He has expanded into public relations and catalog work. He's handled all but four cover photos for The Greater Lansing Business Monthly since it was first published in June 1987. And, he has

always enjoyed sports photography.

Recognition has accompanied Boettcher along the way. He has had several prints accepted into the Professional Photographers Association collection. Two of his prints have traveled with the Professional Photographers Travel and Loan collection. In Michigan, he's been named a Top 10 Photographer three times. He's had top industrial and top commercial prints several times in the Professional Photographers of Michigan competition.

What Boettcher most enjoys about his work is the people he meets and the

variety of subjects he photographs.

He's often the photographer chosen to capture the image of famous people who come to town. He has photographed several presidents, most recently President Clinton.

"We did some work with Wallace when he was traveling through. We've done work with Eisenhower," he remembered.

He's the official photographer for the Lansing Lugnuts, photographed the LPGA Oldsmobile Classic tournament for three years, and has spent countless hours capturing Michigan State University sporting events, coaches and athletes. He's also found an enjoyable niche is photographing golf courses for brochures and magazines.

One category that has been a mainstay at Leavenworth Photographics is historical photography. The collection of prints and negatives housed at the studio date back to 1895 when Russell Leavenworth started his company, traveling throughout the Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula photographing lumbering, logging camps and mining installations.

In 1919, Leavenworth met some industrial leaders from Lansing who had summer homes in northern Michigan. They convinced Leavenworth to move to Lansing and photograph the booming industrial area. Over the years he took on clients such as Oldsmobile, Motor Wheel and The Christman Company. The business grew, and in 1923 Leavenworth added his son-in-law, Hiram Marple, as his business partner.