Relaxing with Todd Beltz – Professional Photographer Specializing in Spa Photography

 Some photographers specialize in one specific style; architecture, food, lifestyle, commercial...put all these together and you’ll find yourself looking at a spa photographer. Spa photography is a unique form of photography which requires many skills. What are the challenges of spa photography? What about the perks? Who better to answer these questions to then professional spa photographer, Todd Beltz?

(Click on images to enlarge)

• Born in Paterson, NY on June 25th 1973

• Currently lives in Singapore, where he’s resided for the last 5 years

• Has lived in various countries around the world including Bahrain, Japan, and Malaysia. While growing up, Todd lived in New York, Florida and Kansas. After graduating high school in 1992, Todd left home and lived in San Diego, California, Virginia and Hawaii

• Loves traveling (as you may have guessed from the places mentioned above). Todd has a passion for cultures, ways of life and seeing new things around the world. To date, he has traveled to 21 countries

• Family currently resides in Milford, CT - a small seaside town about one hour from New York City

Bright Hub (BH): What are three interesting facts about you that not a lot of people know?

Todd Beltz (TB):

1. I spent 12 years of my life in the US Navy. Many people are surprised because they say that I don’t seem to be the military type. Even when I was in the Navy and traveled to various countries, I had a hard time convincing those who I met that I actually was in the Navy. Guess I didn’t act as if I was in the military.
2. While I was in the Navy, my job was an IT (Information Technician) Specialist. Very different from photography and I was always asked why I chose this career when others could see that photography was my passion.
3. I love to act. I have been in a Hollywood movie as an extra and a few TV programs as well. Also, I was fortunate enough to have a famous Hollywood actor spend 6 months teaching me (and others) how to act.

BH: When you’re not shooting, what are you most likely to be doing?

TB: Well, a variety of things really. I love the outdoors and I’m a bit of an adventure enthusiast as well; mountain climbing, hiking, scuba diving, biking, surfing, exploring, etc. I also love to read. I sometimes can be found wandering around bookstores for hours on end. Sitting and relaxing with a good book, or magazine, having a nice cup of coffee and just watching the world go by. Gives me a chance to recharge and focus.

BH: How did photography become part of your life?

TB: I picked up a camera for the first time when I was about 10 years old; it was a gift from my family but I don’t recall what type of camera it was. As a child growing up, we traveled once or twice a year, usually road trips around the U.S. Since I loved traveling from an early age, I wanted to document where I went and what I saw along the way. I would be seen shooting anything and everything and it was from this point that photography became a part of me. I was told that my biological father, whom I don’t remember, was an accomplished photographer - a gift that I more than likely picked up from him. Over the years, photography has always been a hobby of mine as it gives me great joy to be able to capture the beauty of things around me, whether it’s the falling leaves on an autumn day, the sun setting over the vast ocean or the innocent look in a child’s eyes. When people saw my work, they sometimes asked why I wasn’t doing this as a full time career and for many years I always told them, and myself, that I wasn’t good enough. Well, one day it all sunk in and I took the plunge to go full time. I haven’t looked back since.

Continue on to the next page of this interview with Todd Beltz, where we'll find out what exactly a spa photographer does, the perks and challenges of spa photography, and more!