There’s a good chance that most Old Towne residents know Will Hare. Many are aware of his award-winning architecture photography, others are acquainted with his work at McPherson Magnet School, and some know him from his involvement in Old Towne’s newest home decor store, Cristana Home. If it were up to Hare, though, he’d be most recognized for his photography.
Hare’s foray into photography started in high school. In college, he decided to pursue a career in the field. “While studying at Orange Coast College, a light bulb went off, and I realized I could make a living at photography,” says Hare.
After a string of photography jobs following graduation, including a photo editing position with Metafor Imaging, a company that produced movie posters and national ad campaigns, and a position working under an architecture photographer, Hare and his future wife, Kristi, moved to Old Towne. Because of his line of work, it was an easy decision.
Old Towne Ideal Home
“I had a short list of places I wanted to live, and Old Towne Orange was at the top. I loved the old town feel of the community, the great architecture and its proximity to everything,” says Hare, who rented a place in 1996 and opened his own photography business, stopping at nothing to make connections and find work.
“I showed my portfolio to everyone—including the postman and my banker,” he recalls. “You never know who’s going to know someone.”
It didn’t take long for his determination to pay off. A friend who saw his portfolio recommended him to a photographer. He landed a photo shoot for MBK Senior Living, and more photography jobs came soon after, including as a photographer for the Old Towne Orange Plaza Review, for which he has captured many images.
“Will’s photos for the Plaza Review, including nearly a dozen of the Old Towne Properties, have enriched the pages of the publication over the years,” says publisher Mike Escobedo. “His keen eye and ability to capture the personality of the project have made him a household name in architecture photography.”
Sharing Photography Knowledge
Hare’s love of photography goes hand-in-hand with his affinity to teaching. In 2007, he started teaching photography classes at Orange Coast College and will soon also instruct at Cypress College.
“I enjoy passing along my knowledge, and I get as much out of doing so as my students,” says Hare. “I feed off their energy, which broadens my perspectives.”
Friend and fellow teacher Paul Bennett says that Hare’s love for teaching is clear when you see the effect he has on students.
“Will is excited about the subject matter and gets his students excited with him,” says Bennett. “In a creative field, you often get students who think they know everything. Will manages to engage hard-to-work-with students. His teaching style is very inclusive. Everybody’s voice and opinion is heard, but the tangents all make it back to the subject at hand. He is a master at steering a room full of creative and inquisitive minds through a maze of their own questions and back to where he was leading them all along.”
Hare also enjoys bringing his love of teaching home to his 15-year-old daughter, Keely, and 13-year-old son, Patrick, who have both expressed interest in photography and video.
Cristana Home
Last fall, Hare had the opportunity to combine his love of photography and the Old Towne community in Cristana Home. Cristana Rocamora-Suder, who opened her shop in Old Towne in November, enlisted Hare to help with tasks like designing the store’s website, taking photos and setting up the POS system.
“Will’s super talented, easy to work with and so good at what he does,” says Rocamora-Suder. “He’s invaluable and has been really instrumental in launching our store.”
To Hare, helping his friend in this endeavor is a perfect project for him.
“It was an interesting kind of perfect storm,” says Hare. “Everything came together in one place. I think I’m going to be involved with this long term.”
In addition to helping with technical aspects of Cristana Home, Hare is also creating original photos to be sold as limited edition prints at the store.
When he’s not at Cristana Home or teaching, Hare is working on launching his new website and photographing Old Towne houses and buildings. Or you may find him giving back to the community through his current position as co-chairperson of the promotion dance committee at his son’s school, McPherson Magnet, or at the Elks Lodge, where he is a member and former officer.
On the rare occasions he gets a break, you’ll likely find Hare engaging in another favorite pastime—socializing.
“My dog gives me dirty looks when we go for a ‘walk’ and we end up stopping and talking to somebody,” says Hare.
His dog probably doesn’t understand that with all of his skills and involvement, it’s most likely community members who stop Will to talk.
