About Friendly Fred-Otto

Born (a long time ago) in Kalamazoo, Mich., Fred-Otto (ABOVE with Ed Asner and Ernie Borgnine aboard the Queen Mary) was an Army brat who traveled around the United States and Europe with his solder father. He became known as the family historian. That's because, ever since he was a child, he always had a camera in his hand--ranging from his first Kodak Brownie Hawkeye to a cutting-edge Leicas an d Hasselblads. He built his own darkroom and learned to develop film by the age of 15 while in Germany with his father. It was there he provided photography service for the American military community in Frankfurt.

Fred-Otto had several pictures printed in the European Edition of the Stars and Stripes as a student reporter for Frankfurt American High School (later he became a Bureau Chief for S&S while in the Army). After graduating from high school, he followed in his father's boot steps and entered the U.S. Army where he served in Public Affairs (and other branches) for several years. He was a combat correspondent in Vietnam with the 199th Infantry Brigade in 1969-70 and was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and an Army Commendation Medal. From 1976 to 1980 in addition to serving as the Public Affairs Chief for the U.S. Army Signal School and Fort Gordon he tried his hand at being a televison broadcaster (anchor and reporter) on "Fort Gordon the Move" a weekly television news program and . During that time his photos received many local awards and were in several regional contests. Many were entered several times in the U.S. Army prestigious Keith L. Ware contests.

After retiring from the Army, he returned to Central Michigan University where he received three degrees in Journalism, Broadcasting and Public Relations. He received his doctorate in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Fairfax University in 1992 while he was the Director of Corporate Communications for the Defense Logistics Agency-Europe in Wiesbaden, Germany.

          While the director of Corporate Communications for the U. S. Army Los Angeles District Corps of Engineers from 1992 to 2006 he was asked to be the personal photographer for Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera during the Secretary's four visits to California. He was presented his Master Craftsman of Public Affairs certification by the U. S. Army's Chief of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C.

         He was the Public Affairs Officer for the California State Military Reserves' 40th Infantry Division Support Brigade until 2008. He served as the Division's Public Affairs Officer for 14 months while the Division Headquarters served in Kosovo. He was the Public Affairs Officer for several emergency operations, including AreoSafe, that involved more than 2,000 California National Guard personnel protecting airports from San Diego to San Francisco. He received the second highest California National Guard award, The Legion of Merit, upon his retirement in 2008.

          He currently is the contract photographer for the Orange County Association of Realtors and Women's Council of Realtors and photographs homes, designs advertising material and provides printing services          Although Fred-Otto is in high demand, he is always open to new projects. No job is too big or too small. Call him today at (949) 331-7458 or email him at fred@friendlyfredsfotos.com.

          You won't regret it!

YUP, THAT'S ED ASNER ON THE LEFT AND ERNIE BORGNINE ON THE RIGHT. DINNER ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY.