Wish you could take the guesswork out of the colors in your prints?

DISCOVER HOW WE’RE HELPING THIS FORMER POLICE OFFICER “ARREST” THE RICHEST COLORS IN HIS PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS.

On Patrol

Greg Kiser's keen eye for detail, honed during his 20 years in law enforcement, found a new calling in photography. Now, as he roams rural North Carolina, his gaze isn't drawn to potential incidents, but to captivating scenes.

Greg's new beat? "Decay photography." Inspired by the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy of finding beauty in the worn and weathered, he’s on the lookout for photogenic relics of time. Wabi-sabi honors the beauty of all stages of life, including decline, and Greg appreciates the way age treats everything differently: cars, tractors, signs, buildings. Also on his most wanted list: Landscapes, waterscapes, and woodlands. The thread through all Greg’s work is his desire to create an emotional attachment to each piece.

Enter Red River Paper

“Red River [Paper] has been an integral part of my business from the beginning,” he says. “They take the guesswork out of so much when it comes to making sure you are getting the best color out of your prints.” He adds that our downloadable drivers are vital for matching his prints to his on-screen image.

For most of Greg’s work, he uses Ultra Pro Satin, our top-selling brand for several reasons. Its lightly textured surface breaks up reflections and is adept at reproducing deep blacks and higher contrast. Greg also appreciates Big Bend Baryta, which offers all the rich tonality, depth, and feel of a traditional darkroom print. “The Baryta paper has allowed me to compete in the fine art realm,” Greg tells us. “The prices keep my costs down and profits up — always a good thing.” Baryta is the “old-school” way to whiten paper, adding natural richness to portraits and landscapes.

See More of Greg’s Work

On Greg’s website, you’ll find individual galleries for subjects ranging from trains to Teslas and waterways to wildlife. His water abstracts gallery has a painterly vibe. Click on the videos tab to see “Tuesday Tips,” where Greg shares insights on photography and editing. If you’re curious about Greg’s biggest customer base, see our Q&A below.

Enjoy our Q&A with Greg Kiser ...

What year was your business founded and how did you get started?
It was officially founded in 2019, but I've been doing fine art landscape and decay photography since 2005. It started as stress relief from my career as a police officer. After 20 years in the department, photography allowed me to retire and become a full-time shooter.

Tell us a little about what product or service your business offers.
Primarily, I offer fine art prints of both landscape and decay photos, which I shoot around the area of Western North Carolina. In the past couple of years, I have added portraiture and boudoir into the mix. Any printing that I do at 13"x19" or smaller is done from home using paper from Red River Paper. I also work with several art galleries that use my work for their clients; that work is printed to spec.

What makes your business unique?
Accordining to Singh-Ray [a camera filter manufacturer], I am one of the few decay photographers who shoots old cars, barns, and reclaimed homes in a way that mimics how landscape photography should be done.  I have a certain style when it comes to my edits, which also sets me apart from the other photographers.

Where do you source your raw materials from?
I am always on the lookout for interesting scenes when I am out driving around. This is where most of my artwork starts. The final product is the print and that is done with Red River papers for the most part. I can print from home, which is a lifesaver for fast turnaround and the ultimate control over quality.

In what ways does the business reflect your own personality?
I am an introvert, and I enjoy quietly reflecting on things. My photography is based on that very concept, as I like to ask more questions than the photos answer.

Who are your typical customers?
My customers are typically older women when it comes to my prints, but I have been seeing a surge in younger men recently. When it comes to the workshops that I offer, or mentoring, it is a pretty even split, but still in the 40+ category.

What is the most interesting project you've encountered in the course of your work?
That is a hard one, but the answer that comes to mind is a recent shoot with an established model where we did a styled portrait shoot. I worked at a pace I hadn't tried before, and the results were fantastic. The goal was to build out her portfolio as well as mine.

What has Red River Paper done for your business? Is there a particular challenge Red River Paper has helped you overcome or a goal they helped you meet?
Red River has been an integral part of my business from the beginning. They take the guesswork out of so much when it comes to making sure you are getting the best color out of your prints. The drivers that you can download make a huge difference and play a big part in being able to match my prints to what I see on the screen. Having a reliable and high-quality print option at home makes it astonishingly fast to get photos to my clients, and that sets me apart from other photographers. The addition of the Baryta paper has allowed me to compete in the fine art realm. The prices keep my costs down and profits up — always a good thing.

What do you appreciate most about Red River Paper's products/services?
I use the Ultra Pro Satin for most of my print needs. My favorite paper is the Big Bend Baryta, the newest addition to my collection.

Do you have any future growth plans?
I'm currently working on a new website and am hoping to build my portrait services in the future.

Original Publication Date: September 11, 2024

Article Last updated: September 11, 2024

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