Bradley Stookey is the co-founder and creative director of Fishleg Studios, a web development company in business since March. He has also maintained a photography business for the last three years.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I work with clients and my partner on the creative direction of their needs; how the site looks, how it interacts.”
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS FIELD?
“Through developing my own websites for photography. In my photography business I had a client that needed web work. I developed a web page for him and with the help of my partner, we decided to start a business. Web development firms are now advertising agency-based so their overhead is higher. We provide the same service of the large firms.”
WHO ARE HIS CLIENTS?
His main customer base is advertising agencies, but he handles many different firms.
HOMETOWN
Philadelphia.
COLLEGE
Stookey majored in interior design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
WHY SWITCH GEARS?
“While I was in school a close friend was in a band so I took photographs for them. After graduating, he was hired by Superstock, a stock photography agency. Later he called me and asked if I was interested in the job. I had a much stronger interest in photography [than interior design].”
ALONG THE WAY
Superstock moved its headquarters from New York to Jacksonville and Stookey followed. He left the company to do freelance work with another photographer. He then started his own firm.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION(S)?
“I like the mix [in photography] between being something very technical and something very creative. It’s the same with interactive design.”
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
“The creative outlet and the relationships: meeting new clients and friends.”
WHAT’S TOUGH ABOUT IT?
“The most challenging part is producing a product using your personal creativity. I get a personal attachment to the work and want my client to be happy. It’s trying to fulfill their needs and maintain the integrity of your work.”
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENTS
As a result of developing their website, Stookey built a strong relationship with Downtown Vision, Inc. He has also done pro bono work for United Way and YMCA.
RESIDENCE
San Marco.
HOBBIES
Stookey enjoys sailing, snowboarding, skateboarding, playing basketball, football or baseball and designing furniture. He also likes jazz music, the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and the book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” To please his palate, Stookey eats Harry’s Hotdogs from Pennslyvania. For a quick escape, Stookey takes a train ride to Winter Park.
BRUSHES WITH FAME
To fund his college education, Stookey worked as a sound engineer. “We had a lot of people come [to the school] to speak. When a celebrity came, I got to meet and talk with them.” His favorites: actor Danny Glover and musician Graham Nash because they were the most personable to him.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Leonardo di Vinci, the scientist and artist. He was a visionary.”
—by Monica Chamness