Will Blochinger photography and Don Quixote books

SPARTA — Will Blochinger created a career as a celebrity, music and entertainment photographer and has now returned to his hometown of Sparta to offer his services locally. Along with his parents Ernest and Mabelle Blochinger, he owns Will Blochinger Photography & Digital Photo Lab and Don Quixote Books. Will Blochinger offers photography for all occasions such as engagement and wedding photos, individual and family portraits, sports photography, modeling headshots, glamour photography, both in his studio or on location. He also operates an in-house photo lab, and offers services such as museum quality printing, slide and negative scanning, graphics and ad layouts, and photo restoration. Blochinger, a 1983 Sparta High School graduate, began his career in photography in a simple twist of fate in 1996. After graduation, he served as a U.S. Marine for four years and after completing his service, he traveled to Los Angeles. On a recommendation by actor Mickey Rourke, he began working in exclusive celebrity nightclubs as a doorman, recommended by Rourke. This eventually transitioned to a nightclub promotion career in Los Angeles at the celebrity nightclubs, Roxbury, Bar One and China Club. He was also constructing concert stages for events such as Lollapalooza, and artists like Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones. While out in Los Angeles, friend and actor Billy Wirth, who is known for such films as “The Lost Boys,” asked Blochinger to join him for a remembrance vigil in honor of Timothy Leary. Wirth requested that Blochinger bring a camera, so he took a camera accidentally left at his house by his sister. After viewing Blochinger’s pictures, Wirth suggested that Blochinger pursue photography. Having photographed his constructed stages for his manager, Blochinger next landed a gig for an editor friend from Tattoo Magazine. His first assignment was to cover the Tattoo Convention at The Palladium. This led to full-time cover shoots for the publication, with a focus on bands known to sport tattoos, such as Korn. This eventually transitioned to studio shots and concert shoots. Blochinger enjoyed harnessing the energy of the band and the audience in his lens. He has accumulated an impressive roster of celebrity notables, such as Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Andy Dick, Geraldo Rivera, Snoop Dogg, and Sammy Hagar, along with an extensive list of well-known corporate clients. Blochinger further honed his craft by making himself a fixture at famed celebrity photographer Herb Ritts’ Studio while learning all he could from the photographer. Don Quixote Books is managed by Mabelle Blochinger. She and husband, Ernest Blochinger began collecting first edition signed and unsigned books approximately 20 years ago. The books for sale in the store include signed copies written by Presidents Harry Truman, Richard Nixon and renowned author J.K. Rowling. The genre of books featured include: coffee table, biographies, mysteries, and fantasy and Don Quixote Books has between 7,000 and 8,000 books in stock. Although there are many collector items in stock, there is a selection of reasonably priced books for the casual reader as well. Hours of operation for Will Blochinger Photography & Digital Photo Lab and Don Quixote Books are Monday noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday by appointment only.