I’m Don Willett and I’m a Commercial and Editorial Portrait Photographer with a studio in Baltimore, Maryland. I also create Lifestyle and Personal Branding content for businesses and professionals. Most of my commercial work is lit, sometimes mimicking natural light but often letting light become part of the character of the person I’m photographing.
My degree is in Visual Design with a minor in Biology. I’ve taught photography, art and design classes at International Center of Photography (ICP), Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and Towson University for many years. My work has been seen in Metropolitan Home, Parade, Child, Parent, Hopkins Medical News and Baltimore Magazine. I’ve also been exhibiting more and had my first solo show of my 21 Days: NYC series in 2019. I’ve spent most of my time in Baltimore, but spent a decade living in New York City. Ironically, that gave me a chance to travel through most every state and across a big chunk of Europe and Canada.
It’s important to me to create images that communicate something about the person in front of my camera, and I get to that place by working closely with my subject in as spontaneous a way possible. Elements of my stills and motion work are definitely influenced by my background in design. It’s also played a role in my web work at Willett + Associates. Having the ability to create the content, build the site and control the platform and quality of delivery gives my business clients a distinct advantage in getting their story out and a leg up on their competition.
Fun fact, I earned that Bio minor in Pre-Med while working at the University of Maryland Hospital early in my career. That exposure working in a hospital gave me the critical skillset necessary to photograph patients and inside of surgical theaters. I also began photographing kids for the Children’s Cancer Foundation. It was challenging work, but the images gave the kids and their parents a chance to tell their story and I’m proud to be able to capture images that help them.
EXHIBITIONS
1987 Solo Exhibition, BA Portfolio Exhibition, Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery
1989 Group Exhibition, Hampden – 100 Years
2000 Group Exhibition, Out of Order Show, Maryland Art Place
2001 Group Exhibition, Out of Order Show, Maryland Art Place
2016 Group Exhibition, Biennial Faculty Show, Towson University
2018 Group Exhibition, Biennial Faculty Show, Towson University
2019 Group Exhibition, The Big Show, The Creative Alliance
Group Exhibition, Baker Portfolio Show, Peale Gallery
Solo Exhibition, 21 Days: NYC, The Creative Alliance
Group Exhibition, Superheros, Y-Art Gallery