Michael Koerner credits his fascination with the film industry to having seen a "Claymation" presentation at his school while in the seventh grade.

Nearly twenty-five years later, Koerner is still a huge fan of cameras and the magic they make. In 1996 he founded Portland-based Koerner Camera Systems Inc., a company that rents out nearly $1 million in specialized camera equipment inventory to local and national film producers and production companies.

"In my personal opinion we provide the cleanest and best maintained camera equipment in the Northwest," brags Koerner. "But you don't have to take my word for it. Ask the ACs who use the gear day-in and day-out. Ask them where they want to prep a camera package."

Koerner also knows how to walk the walk professionally. He got his start in the film industry as an assistant cameraman, then advanced his career into shooting sports, action and documentary footage. In 1994, Koerner won an Emmy Award for his camera work at the Lillehammer Olympics.

With a business clientele that's eighty percent local, twenty percent national, Koerner recognizes the need to keep his gear - and his staff - current with the latest equipment and trends. In fact, Koerner credits much of his company's success to his employees' diligence and commitment to ongoing training.

"Our business has doubled each of the last two years," says Koerner. "Either we're doing something really right or the Northwest really needed our level of service. I think both are true."

www.koernercamera.com