About
Sothers Studio
Vic Sothers opened his
studio in the mid-1940s in downtown Brainerd and eventually
moved it to the corner of Eighth and Juniper where it was purchased
in 1952 by Chuck Schmid. It was moved again to its present
location at 611 Washington in 1968, about the same time that
present owner Mike Aulie began his apprenticeship under Schmid.
For more than 50 years, Sothers Studio has been known for its
commitment to quality and service.
About
your photographers...
Mike
Aulie
began working at Sothers while still in high school and considering
a photojournalism career. Following college, he decided
to pursue a more satisfying future in portrait photography at
Sothers and quickly became the primary portrait photography
at the studio by the mid-70s while his mentor and boss focused
towards “on location” commercial photography. Mike is
an Accredited Photographer with the Minnesota Professional Photographers
Association and has almost completed all of the requirements
for a Master of Photography degree from the Professional Photographers
of America. He is a past president of the MPPA and has
won almost every award possible from the association including
several awards for service to his fellow photographers.
He is also a past president of the Brainerd Rotary Club, is
very active in his church and has been involved in numerous
community groups.
Ilene Smith
has been associated with the studio since 1986 and is a graduate
of the photography program at Ridgewater College in Willmar.
She is in charge of post-wedding production for all weddings
photographed by the studio. She also serves as the office
manager for the studio and photographs most of the team memory
mates done by Sothers. Ilene and Mike frequently team
up when photographing small children. Her outside interests
include horseback riding, snowmobiling and working with children.
She has been a senior partner with Kinship Partners for several
years.
Member:
Professional
Photographers of America
Minnesota Professional Photographers Association
Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
