Willis’s studio and office are located in a charming Victorian home in downtown Santa Cruz. In the business for over 30 years, he is both self-taught and has earned his Masters of Photography (1994). Willis is an active member of the Professional Photographers of America and often a featured speaker for local photography associations. The composition and quality of his prints show the experience and knowledge of a true professional. He describes his specialty as photojournalistic style, working in black & white, sepia, and color. His portfolios include portraits, fun candids, and illustrative work.

Willis enjoys his job and loves the creative process. "I go with an open mind, like an artist with a blank canvas." He looks for interaction of the couple, the right position, and points of special interest. Now with digital image files, he offers a great variety of image colorings. Usually working with an assistant, he thinks of himself as a storyteller, capturing the wedding as it unfolds. When I asked him what made a good wedding photographer, he replied, "Patience and being able to read people." Knowing what to look for, he gets the formals done quickly, so his subjects can move on to the reception.

His name is as well known in the Bay Area as it is down the coast, and his talent is appreciated and admired by wedding professionals and clients alike. When onsite, Willis stays in the background, and follows the flow of the event taking as many as 1200 shots during a wedding day. His pictures are now presented in a digital book. With the help of the computer he can convert each image into black and white or sepia, and can make portions of the pictures look hand-painted. He offers his clients a point system: one point for every $1000 they spend. These points can be traded for additional wedding photographs and services, including photo invitations, engagement sessions, wall portraits, and digital thank you notes.