Ken Sklute

Ken Sklute has enjoyed a varied and successful photographic career. He began his photographic journey as a young teenager photographing 200 mph dragster at his local track. Although his photographic knowledge was limited, his images displayed an innate understanding of composition and clearly showed his ability to capture images that people wanted…and were willing to pay for… and so started his career.

Ken soon took a job as apprentice to an established wedding photographer, but he quickly graduated to photographing weddings on his own. He developed a style that was recognizable, desirable, and bookable and eventually branched out to start his own company. He even started photographic trends with his unique wedding images that competing wedding photographers would mimic in their own work.

Over the years Ken has explored and photographed

Tornados and Thunderstorms – His interest and love of severe weather took Ken on a 5-year journey professionally chasing and photographing storms in tornado alley and throughout America’s Midwest.
Volcanos and Lava – Photographing flowing lava has taken Ken to Iceland and Hawaii.
Drag racing – Ken revisited his youthful passion of photographing drag racing, this time working nationally to capture images for the Associated Press, the NHRA and many of its professional teams as well as most industry magazines and sponsors.
Space – Ken’s childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut were not to be realized, however that didn’t stop him from photographing things related to space, including working with NASA to capture one of the very last shuttle launches.
Auroras Borealis Chaser – This combines two of Ken favorite things, space and weather. Chasing the Northern Lights (Auroras) has taken Ken across the top of the world to Iceland, Norway, Canada’s Yukon and Northwest Territories, and Kinally Alaska where Ken offers Aurora chasing workshops twice a year.
Photographic instructor and international speaker, sharing his unique techniques and approach to creative photography.

In Ken’s 51-year photographic career, he has been sponsored by Canon USA, Epson, Kodak, FStopGear, Delkin Devices, Datacolor, NIK filters, ReallyRightStuff and other industry giants, and has done work for Harley Davidson, New York Times Magazine, Newsday, Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Toyota, NASCAR, and many other clients.

Which visual mediums do you use?
I capture my photographic images digitally today in both color and Infrared B&W.

How did you get started in this?
I found photography early in my life by attending Drag Races in NY. I sold images from the very first roll of film. I was bitten by the photographic bug!

Do you have a particular area of interest or genre you’re interested in?

I love photographing nighttime landscapes!

Who and/or what inspires you most?
I am motivated by so many classical photographers as well as new places to explore.

What Datacolor color management tools are in your work bag/workspace?
I love the Datacolor Spyder Checker, my Datacolor SpyderPro and now working with the new LightColor Meter.

Why is accurate color important within your workflow?
I take great pride in correct color both at capture and for producing correct colors on the prints that I sell.

What’s your objective when you create something?

Creating something that has impact through color, density, composition and subject matter.

Best bit of advice you ever got?

Always trust your intuition!

Do you have a fun fact you want to share about yourself?
I fly a Hot Air Balloon!

Do you have a tip for your audience?

Never stop your desires for something new, yet never copy anyone’s work.

My go-to color management tools

SpyderPro

Advanced color calibration for your editing monitor

Spyder Checkr

Perfect for studio work or location shoots due to its larger size

LightColor Meter

For exposure and color temperature measurement
in photography and videography

"Always trust your intuition!”

– Ken Sklute