Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Photographers Jerry and Kathi Venz get in front of the camera for a change.

A move back home sets the stage for new shop downtown

By Chantal Lamers

Just down Big Basin Way, in the mix of coffee shops and restaurants, a new business has cropped up. Venz Fine Photography, a family-grown business, has managed to stay away from the in-and-out mall-style snapshots and create a whole new tradition in photography.

For nearly seven years, Jerry and Kathi Venz have operated a photography studio out of their Campbell home. But when Kathi bought her childhood home from her parents in Saratoga, the city didn't give its blessing to move the studio as well.

"I spent all day walking up and down the streets in downtown Saratoga," Jerry said. Finally, he found and leased the space at 14567 Big Basin Way.

The Venzes specialize in environmental portraits of weddings and families. Jerry and Kathi, who have been married 13 years, say they never schedule more than one wedding a day because they want to dedicate unlimited time to couples on their special day.

"When I can get something really artistic and beautiful, it's really quite gratifying because everything is working against you," Jerry said referring to the time limits of a wedding day. "The labor time is unlimited."

Over the years the Venzes have found themselves consulting engaged couples on wedding and reception sites, caterers and florists. "Not everyone can afford wedding consultants," Kathi said; in fact, she is putting together some community education classes on wedding planning.

Jerry, who calls himself a perfectionist, says that time is not of the essence when it comes to his photography. When children have a bad day in the studio, the parents are invited to reschedule at no extra cost.

To those who blame themselves for not being photogenic, Jerry says, "don't blame yourself, blame the photographer."

Jerry serves as vice president of the Professional Photographers of Santa Clara Valley, and Kathi sits on its board of directors. In 1994, the organization honored Jerry as its photographer of the year and also presented him with an award for one of his wedding portraits.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]