February, 2008
In this month’s newsletter, you will find inspiring stories from some of the best emerging wedding and portrait photographers out there. Read about how Members of the Month Jeff and Julie Gandy’s sheer determination transformed their part-time, fledgling hobby into a prominent wedding photography business in merely six years. In Studio of the Month, follow Jim Garner as his entrepreneurial spirit takes him much beyond the intimate home-based studio he started just a few short years ago. In this month’s In Studio & On Screen, illustrious makeup artist Vittoria Natale divulges her secrets about applying makeup for any type of shoot and any type of model. As always, check out Member News for important WPPI 2008 Convention and Trade Show updates as well as timely blogs from fellow members. And certainly don’t forget Business Landscape, wherein this month Fred S. Steingold demystifies a dreaded subject–insurance for emergencies!
Jared Smith
Editor
Member of the Month
Gandy Photographers’ Prescription for Success:
Passion, Determination and Client Satisfaction
By Alice B. Miller
Within six years’ time, Jeff and Julie Gandy transformed their photography hobby into a part-time business, and finally a full-time wedding and portrait studio in their Valdosta, Georgia, home. This is an impressive achievement for any start-up venture, but there’s more: The Gandys made the switch while working as registered nurses at South Georgia Medical Center–Jeff in the Cardiac ICU for 10 years, and Julie in Labor and Delivery for seven years. A series of subtle and dramatic life changes helped them reach their goal.
“The business was initially supposed to be a side job for extra income. We had enjoyed photography privately for years but never thought photography would replace our nursing careers,” says Julie. Fortunately, their schedules afforded them the freedom and flexibility a second career path requires. By 2004, photography was indeed becoming a viable business option for them. Julie cut back nursing to work part-time, eventually giving it up completely to focus on the business. Jeff did the same a year later. MORE >>
WPPI is an international association for wedding and portrait photographers. We were pleased to be named the February member of the month. You can read the full article by clicking HERE>>.
There will be more updates coming soon! If you would like to find out more and be notified of future blog posts you can signup below. We always love to hear your from you, so feel free to comment on any of our entries. Jeff & Julie Gandy.
