Walter Wick grew up in a rural part of Connecticut. His first serious interest in art began with drawings and painting in high school. He went on to study photography at Paier College of Art in Hamden, Connecticut. After graduating in 1973, he worked as a lab technician and assistant to a commercial photographer. Eventually, Wick moved to New York City and started his own photography studio. He stumbled upon a particular photo that led to the creation of his popular children's books, "I Spy" which are optical illusion picture books. He has also written "A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder" and "Walter Wick's Optical Tricks."