Robert Erving Potter III

Robert Erving Potter III provides visual, story-based, strategies for commercial clients. His image-based narratives are crafted to engage the viewer and offer a compelling story, whether it is head shot, personal branding or an environmental portrait.

Potter offers a unique combination of creativity and a deep knowledge of photographic processes and post production methods to help clients effectively communicate to their audiences. As a skilled professional photographer, he creates high-quality visually appealing photos that will tell your unique story.

Education

Robert studied at Interlochen Arts Academy where he was trained in the visual art of photography, as well as theatrical improvisation. He started his first photography business, "Potter Unlimited", in 1976 and took it on the road with the European Tour of the jazz band, Weather Report. There, Potter honed his understanding of the use of light as the lighting director for that tour.

Afterward, Potter studied Photography and Shakespeare at Cambridge University, where he was awarded lifetime membership to both the Cambridge University Photographic and Thespian Societies. Returning to the U.S., Robert studied under George Strimbu at Valparaiso University where he received the Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts degree, graduating with honors and distinction.

Profession

Robert worked his way up through the world of photography both locally, in Chicago, and nationally as a stringer for LIFE Magazine. In his early days as a "struggling artist", "3" - as most people know him, immersed himself in the world of advertising imagery perfecting his chops in all aspects of that genre. When not working for a living, Robert provided "cut rate", often times "free", photography for emerging theatre companies like Chicago's "Free Shakespeare Theatre" (now "Chicago Shakespeare Theatre") as well as more established institutions of the arts like "The Second City". Potter would go on to become a founding member of "The Piccolo Theatre".

Always fascinated by technology, Robert was an early adopter of the internet launching his first website, rep3.com, in 1993. As a result, he embraced "digital photography" well before many of his colleagues quickly understanding the need for "web ready" imagery and the ability to process these images with photoshop.

Service to the Community

Robert served the community on the Midwest board of directors of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP). He is President emeritus of the Chicago Midwest chapter of American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), an ethics based International Trade Association and a member of both the Advertising Photographers of America (APA) and Editorial Photographers (EP), non-profit trade organizations dedicated to the business of photography. He is also a member of the League of Chicago Theatres.

For ten years Robert coordinated the Lakeview Church of Christ volunteer group at the Inspiration Cafe where "respect and hope is served up to the homeless, along with a nutritious meal". The Cafe’s mission is "to foster independence and promote wellness among its guests & staff". Robert volunteered for five years as the head chef of the City of Westminster, Massachusetts, Thanksgiving Community meal.

Robert also volunteered as a driver for the Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Chicago, for decades.

Teaching

As much as Robert loves to learn so, too, does he cherish sharing his knowledge and passion for photography with others.

Robert established the Potter School of Photography (PSOP and p-sop.com) in 2000 for the purpose of teaching photography and the various supporting technologies to students of all ages.

Through PSOP, Potter regularly hosts in person and online classes and seminars with subject matter ranging from the history of photography and "the basics" to advanced courses in composition, exposure, framing, perspective, movement and, of course, Photoshop. The most popular course of new students is "iPhone Photography"!

Another favorite series of courses are "Photo Safaris". PSOP schedules regular outdoor "shoots" in the midwest and internationally.