Tony Lee is a self-taught photographer with more than 34 years behind the camera. Originally from San Francisco, California, he made his residence in the early 90s at Rota, Spain and has lived there till his arrival to Germany in mid-July, 2004 when he started his current position here.
Unfortunately, the working situation is Ansbach was not the best one could hope for. Though I enjoyed my drive between Rota and Ansbach, finally getting a chance to see many things, places and capture a lot of great of scenic views along the route, I had the misfortunate to "find" in Germany people who are cheats. Knowing of my poor financial situation, my boss at the Cobbled Corner Crafts at Barton Barracks quoted me during an illegal "hiring interview" for an annual salary she made up to lure me from Spain to Germany, well knowing that salary amount didnt exist, and taking advantage of my poor personal financial situation. Now that MWR at Ansbach knows of this situation and not firing this poor example of an american, means only one thing: that they are just as guilty as she is and approve of this type of supervision/hiring and of telling lies to hire persons so they can be taken advantage of. I would not recommend anyone to work for MWR in Ansbach/Katterbach, and certainly NEVER for that person who is the supervisor at Cobbled Corner Crafts at Barton Barracks.
I was told many things:
- I would be working once I arrived July 18th, 2004
nope, I actually had to wait two months to be hired though of course, I was allowed to work
as a "volunteer". She was still on vacation when I reported for "work".
- I would be working as I wanted with full freedon inside the studio
nope again: I would have to listen to a stubborn boss that told me to do all no matter what
I personally thought or felt
- I didn't know I'd be working inside a studio with backdrops almost all stained by dog urine
yeah, and I'm allergic to dogs and cats and most other pets, animals... they knew this
- that I could do many things, but as time progressed, I was told NOT to do many things, such as:
No longer do home or outdoor photo sessions
No longer attend base events or functions unless contracted as a photographer for that event
- Could work events for an increased salary
Now believes I was never paid for working those events. The "increased salary" difference was for MWR, not for me
When confirmed in early January 2005 I would never get a pay raise for all I was doing, I decided to quit. This did not go well with them and what I received from these "gracious" lying people at Ansbach was a kick and a (very cold) handshake. I will never again work for americans in such a situation, and hope in time and in the future, these people receive their dues... what comes around goes around. I am sure, with the lies and mindsets these people possess, they will surely get their deserved ends their way. Tis a shame that some people are so accustomed to lies and cheating people that they expect and assume the same from others. Unfortunately, I am not like those Barton Barracks people nor do I wish to be associated with them. People who take advantage of other people's life misfortunes should be banned from holding positions of responsibility, but unfortunately in Ansbach and Barton Barracks, it is a racket, a way of life and still working. Do you want details and names? I will gladly tell you if you'd care to email me.
Retired from the US Navy, Tony was proud to have worked with the US Army in Ansbach, Germany. He has worked as a photographer on the USS Forrestal (CV-59), as a photojournalist while stationed at the public affairs office at Naval Station Rota, Spain, and has provided imagery for official / unofficial and civilian media on an infrequent basis during his 20 years of active service.
"Working in a studio" he says, describing his routine inside the small studio at the MWR arts and crafts building at Barton, "is the worst situation I could ever picture myself in, and is a frustrating challenge to me, as I know all of the fundamentals of studio lighting, though this is the first time I've actually had to apply this knowledge". Learning all about life inside a studio in a few weeks, setup of the lights and backgrounds is now a bit easier for this photographer who considers himself more of an artist than a photographer. "My idea of an image is that people seeing the image should be able to sense the individual's personality within that picture. If not", he explains, "then it's not a good photograph and I've lost in my attempt to capture the true essence of the person".
But when he goes out into the environment, Tony is a transformed person. "All of my life behind the camera, I've photographed people and scenes in the open air". He explains that "the world is my studio, and the sun is the greatest light for illuminating a scene or a face. Why would anyone work inside a studio with artifical this and that when the outdoor world is the most fantastic studio one can ever hope for or possess, and the backgrounds and scenery available is so vivid and varied?".
And this is something that he hopes can be seen in his imagery created outdoors, or as he calls it: environmental portraiture.
He describes his style of capturing families and their children as a photojournalistic manner of allowing the scene or event to unfold, as his eye and camera capture its best moments....
But inside the studio, he is a director, using dramatic lighting, dark backgrounds, and commanding his clients to protray an emotion, an event, as if in a surreal world inside his studio. "The studio", Tony explains, "is a cold, impersonal room where people are tense and nervous. Children react like never before, and are hard to control and photograph under these conditions". He suggests the calm landscape of the german countryside or an inviting park or playground for kids, "where I can capture children as they should be remembered: running, playing, crying, falling but most of all: being themselves". 
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