After five decades behind the lens and adventures across five continents, John Kizorek has found his niche in photographing luxury properties in the remote forests of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. His encounters with wildlife have become as routine as his 24-hour photo turnaround times.
“On more than a few shoots, I’ve turned a corner of a vacant home and found myself face-to-face with a bear. Thankfully, I startled them as much as they startled me. So far, we’re even,” said Kizorek, who has photographed properties valued at over $1.9 billion in the past four years alone.
Founded in 1972 in Chicago, Kizorek Photography has evolved from its urban roots to become the dominant force in real estate photography in northern Wisconsin’s sprawling wilderness. This transition reflects both the founder’s (Bill Kizorek) artistic beginning and the growing demand for professional property imagery of vacation homes in the Northwoods today.
The numbers tell his story. In just four years, Kizorek has captured over 500 homes through his lens, representing a substantial portion of the region’s high-end real estate market. His work spans lakefront estates to remote woodland retreats, each requiring navigation through challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.
“My clients love that real estate photography is all I do. My equipment and workflow are tailored to meet the needs of my agents. I offer a 24-hour turnaround (98% of the time) on my photo processing, which helps agents get their listings into the MLS quickly. I can also directly upload my photos to the MLS without requiring the brokerage staff to handle the images. This speeds up the process and reduces the chance of errors from missing links via emails or text messages,” Kizorek explained.
Kizorek Photography’s specialized focus has earned recognition beyond the real estate industry. Kizorek has been a contributing photographer to Nature Photographer magazine, and he received a nomination for the 2021 MARKETPLACE Governor’s Rising Star Award in Wisconsin. As an FAA-licensed drone pilot, he brings aerial perspectives to property listings that showcase the expansive landscapes surrounding Northwoods homes.
Operating in this remote region presents unique challenges that would exhaust most photographers. Long days, mosquitoes, ticks, and winter snow transforming narrow roads into treacherous ice paths are just a few of the obstacles he faces. The ever changing weather can derail carefully planned shoots, forcing on the spot rescheduling to meet listing deadlines. Weather delays create a domino effect of scheduling conflicts, as agents need their listings uploaded quickly to remain competitive in fast-moving markets.
That pressure can extend beyond natural obstacles. Kizorek frequently arrives at properties where remote homeowners have forgotten the photography appointment, necessitating diplomatic skills alongside technical camera expertise.
I love what I do, my agents and their clients appreciate the quality of my work. The Northwoods is full of high powered people, Oprah, Bill Murray, several Chicago Blackhawks players, Dewey Bunnell of the band America, and a personal friend Frankie Sullivan of the band Survivor. Your work product has to be on point and on time. You can’t let people down, especially shooting a 5 million dollar house.” said Kizorek.
The client base for this northern Wisconsin photography specialist extends well beyond traditional real estate agents. Vacation rental owners seeking to enhance their Airbnb listings, property management companies overseeing both long- and short-term rentals, resorts looking to showcase their facilities, and restaurants capturing their ambiance all rely on Kizorek’s services.
Kizorek Photography’s technical offerings have expanded to match modern marketing demands. While high-definition photography remains the foundation, 360-degree virtual tours allow potential buyers to view properties remotely. Social media videos cater to platforms where static images no longer suffice, while drone footage provides perspectives impossible to get from ground level.
This comprehensive approach reflects the evolution of real estate marketing in rural luxury markets. Properties in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula often attract buyers from distant metropolitan areas who rely heavily on digital media before making the journey to view homes in person. “I know of four homes over a million dollars that have been purchased sight unseen via my photos and videos” said Kizorek.
Kizorek’s transition from international assignments to hyperlocal specialization demonstrates how expertise can be refined to serve specific market needs. While Kizorek Photography has shifted focus a couple times since its founding in Chicago, the current focus on Northwoods real estate has created a sustainable niche that benefits the business, its agents and the homeowners alike. “This will be the last evolution. I found what makes me happy” said John.
Kizorek Photography is based in Minocqua, WI. John Kizorek can be reached via their website KizorekPhotography.com
