What’s a photography studio doing with a funny name like Siberpop Photography? Drop in to suite 117, Marketplace Mall on 64 Main Street in Cortland and photographer Bob Crowley will happily explain. Bob and his wife Linda, also a photographer at the studio, raise Siberian Huskies and enjoy running them on the dog sled. Their hobbies merged a few years ago year when they began commercially photographing some of the events they participated in. That spread to other events and festivals in the area and the need for a unique, descriptive name. Bob decided to use Siberpop, a name he’s known by on the Internet. During their first year and a half Siberpop Photography set up at a variety of events, including county fairs, auto shows, dog shows, horse shows, the Pumpkin Fest, a Canoe Fest, Arts and Craft festivals, and holiday bazaars. They also shot weddings, senior pictures, and bands, as well as commercial shoots for local businesses. Two years ago, encouraged by family, friends, and especially customers, Bob opened a studio to better serve the community needs. Siberpop Photography is open Monday through Friday 10:30 to 6:00, with flexible hours by appointment to meet special needs. Saturdays are generally reserved for weddings, doggie events, and other photographic opportunities.

The low-tech aspects of dog mushing make quite a contrast to the high-tech equipment Bob uses in his studio. While he has a solid background in film photography, Bob now works exclusively in digital. Linda is not only his back-up photographer, but is a certified computer technician, responsible for keeping the equipment up and running. Together they have been able to create pictures that are not only snapshots of real life, but works of art in their own right. Once the photos are taken, the customer can select the pose they prefer and ask for any cropping or minor corrections they might want. The finished product can then made up while the customer waits or deferred for later delivery.

Bob considers himself first of all a photographer, but he enjoys creating his work in a variety of mediums. In addition to traditional photographs suitable for framing, he and Linda can print photos on T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, mouse pads, key chains or ID tags, and on ceramic mugs, porcelain ornaments, or one of many special ordered items. Siberpop Photography does their custom imprinting by dye sublimation or by direct thermal transfer, depending on the item. While it is subject to imperfections, it is the most practical way to transfer a complex image like a photograph, or a simple graphic where you only want a few copies. Since the original photograph is not damaged or altered, people can also bring their own snapshots in for enhancing and transfer.