In celebration of Father’s Day, meet Tom and Jacob Scott, a father and son duo who share a passion for photography and for AAF!
In 1977, Tom started working in the photography industry as a teenager. His first job was developing color and b&w film/prints for Sylvart Studio, which still operates a small business in Barberton.
Afterwards, he worked at Akron Commercial Color Lab, in Akron. He was part of a team that developed transparency and negative film, and printed photos for many Northeast Ohio photographers, including ad agencies.
He opened his own photography business in the 1990’s, specializing in weddings and on-location portraiture, including corporate headshots.
Starting in 1998, he worked for Woodard Photographic (Bath Township) as a portrait photographer, providing service to over 100 Northern Ohio schools. Woodard Photographic merged with Lifetouch National School Studios. Tom still works for them and helps many other photographers when they need an extra hand.
Once Jacob started school, Tom discovered that his work schedule made it difficult to spend time with Jacob. Tom worked evenings in the studio and almost all day on Saturdays. The only time he saw Jacob was before he went to school, or on his only day off, which was Sunday. His wife Patty would bring Jacob to the studio to see Tom between photo sessions. As Jacob grew up, he became his dad’s photo assistant. Jacob helped at the studio and also at photo assignments at many schools. He learned to paint backgrounds, set up lights, hold a reflector, take photos, pose students for prom pictures, and collect money at team photo days.
When Jacob was in fourth grade, his parents enrolled him at the National Inventors Hall of Fame School, hoping that experience would prepare him for a career in technology and engineering. During high school, Jacob met now retired Akron Public School teacher Kay Dreslinski, who introduced him to graphic design. Jacob fell in love with design. He became the school’s yearbook editor for three years, and was motivated to enter graphic design and photography contests, especially those his teacher encouraged, like those provided through the Northeast Ohio Craftsman Club.
Jacob graduated a year ago from Myers School of Art at The University of Akron. He’s a graphic designer, videographer and photographer and works at Kleidon & Associates.
We thank Tom and Jacob for being a big part of AAF!
