I just celebrated my 10th year as a professional photographer! Yep, I officially started my photography business in 2010…the same year I became the Official Photographer of the Phoenix Open.
I totally wanted to throw a party but you know, covid-19 got in the way of that!
In 2012, I earned my Certified Professional Photographer designation with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Certification must be renewed every three years, ensuring continuing confidence in the professionalism of Certified Professional Photographers. I’m proud to say I renewed this in 2020.
That same year I became a partner at Photo Fusion Studio and shortly after I took sole-ownership of the studio. What started as a co-op space for photographers to rent and share is now turning into a one-of-a-kind photography studio with a team of photographers each with their own specialty, enabling the studio to provide a wide variety of services.
Then 2020 and covid-19 hit and I ended up donating my services to valley restaurants in need.
By the way, here’s how 2020 ended. BUT 2021 is a new year and a new start in many ways!
So what’s changed in 10 years? I’ve gotten better! Which is great news for you! Each year I’ve continued my education, upgraded my photography gear, improved my technique, hired interns, assistants, and associate photographers.
I’ll be announcing some more changes to Photo Fusion Studio in the coming months but here are some quick highlights.
Prices are increasing
Ugh, really? Yes but I haven’t really changed my pricing much in 10 years! Just ask one of my clients, Christie Ellis, she got her original headshot with me back in 2013!
It’s not all doom and gloom, here are some ways things are changing, for the better!
For example, when I first started photography I would take over an hour sometimes during a headshot session … over an hour to get a new LinkedIn photo? Sadly yes. I didn’t have a studio so I would travel everywhere, you would have to travel, and we’d have to pray to Zeus that he gave us good weather, then I would take and show you over 50 images when it was all done. Finally, I would edit your photos, taking weeks sometimes, this process took forrrrrrever!
Fast forward to now and when you need a new photo for LinkedIn, a press release, or new business cards, you come into our professional studio that’s been cleaned and sanitized, as I or an associate photographer, take your picture, you see your images display on a large tv. You pick your winning headshot on the spot and your whole session takes less 20 minutes!
When Arizona and many other states shut down, so did many companies. A majority of our clients are corporate clients and that often means we’re on a net30 payment schedule. Well guess what, that’s fine, except when companies furlough, layoff or temporarily close leaving all those payables on hold. That means income we were expecting to pay rent, pay photographers, pay vendors or buy groceries all stopped. We had months of expected income disappear, some of it has been paid but we still lost a lot of income
Along with millions of American’s that created some issues, for example, the landlord at our old studio wasn’t a nice guy, so after 5 years of good history, we were forced to move our studio. Thankfully I did get some assistance though.
A huge thank you to US Bank and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Short story? Going forward we will be requiring payment in full before delivering images. I hope you understand and to help I’ll also be introducing payment plans for our services and clients.
Stay tuned for more updates, special offers.
Phew! That was a long post but thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for all your support over the years, I really wouldn’t be here without you!
Do you have any helpful feedback or other ideas how I or the studio can support you, your business, or your family?
Just contact me and I’d love to chat.
-Everardo Keeme, CCP
