5th Floor Photos

In 1995 I worked across the street from a camera shop in downtown Arlington Heights. I hung around and talked to the owner about photography. He heard what kind a camera I was using, (Dad actually gave me the Minolta to have) and told me he would keep and eye out for a newer model of Nikon. As luck would have it, a gentleman traded in several pieces of Nikon equipment later that month. I purchased my first SLR and lens and burned though several hundred rolls of film that year. Since then the desire to take pictures and portraits has only increased.

Being born in Chicago gave me a very cool accent and some wonderful memories of growing up in the burbs. My parents purchased a house in Arlington Heights and raised me and three siblings. The photography bug bit me when I was very young. My Father gave me an old Minolta fixed lens camera to use in 5th grade. I used it for an assignment and gave it back to him. I received a "D" on the assignment, but that did not discourage me from putting a camera up to my face again.

Always interested in photography I took a few hobbies up that included using a camera. In high school I fell in love with computers and doing simple graphics in DOS. The technology of computers and the art of photography were still separate fields back then. I did not pick up a camera again until 9 years later. My father gave me the Minolta to use again. I took several shots and realized how expensive film and developing of said film was. I pulled out my Father's developing equipment from the 50's and tried to put together enough to develop my own film. After destroying several rolls of film, I decided to take my film to the drug store. I was very frugal with how many shots I took. Never having any real education in the field helped. I got an eye for how to expose a shot.

You can learn more about my recent past in portrait photography and how I can help you and your family by requesting an info package on the off-line request page. If you would like to see some of the FUN FAMILY PORTRAITS, go to the Portrait Gallery page. Once you sign in you will receive an e-mail containing a link to the gallery.

John Rybak 847-800-0208

I live in Palatine, Illinois

To make it easier, I have put together a package that has all of the information in a nice big envelope. Please request it and take your time while you review the material.

Just call or go to the off-line request page.