I start tonight with a disclaimer: I am not using my usual browser tonight and do not have a spell check available. There may be a slip of the typing or two and I apologize in advance.
I began typing a blog about the pros and cons of digital files... but then inspiration struck.
I feel tonight like blogging about something that has been on my mind for the majority of the week and much, much longer. I feel a little like story telling tonight. Each and everything you read in here is my honest opinion and the facts are as truthful as I'm aware they are. (Aka: I may not have all the back information on some things, but I know what I experienced and I know what I was told.)
I recently heard the news that Picture Me Portrait Studios in Port Angeles will be soon closing it's doors. Port Angeles is one of about 300 locations nationwide that will be shutting down.
I worked for Picture Me for 6 years - well, sort of. I actually started working before it was owned and operated by CPI Images - back when it was called the Wal-Mart Portrait Studio.
I always had a frustrating time trying to explain to customers that even though we boasted the name Wal-Mart Portrait Studio, my pay check never came from Wal-Mart but rather a company named PCA. PCA (about a year or so after I was hired on) filed for a reconstruction bankruptcy and was soon purchased by CPI Images who also runs Sears Portrait Studio. (They also now run Kiddie Kandids and Bye Bye Baby photography)
I will never forget that a local photographer came to visit me shortly after the filing of the (I think it's a chapter 11? But you don't have to quote me on that) bankruptcy. I had not yet heard the news of this and this particuar business-person felt the need to boast to me about how the studio would soon close and I probably wouldn't have a job anymore. They felt so proud of the fact that we wouldn't be surviving because we only charge $10 for a sheet, but they charged $50 for one 5x7 and people would pay that.
I have never felt warmly about this particular person because of this instance and will forevermore refuse to do business with that local studio - despite the interaction they have with the community.
Needless to say, I did keep that job for a number of years more.
When CPI took over, I felt proud to be a part of a company that could provide quality product at an affordable price. However, the longer I was there, the more I felt they didn't quite care as much as I initially felt.
I was told by someone once that the Vice President of the company felt in ernst that if a mother had to choose between feeding her family for a week or purchasing a $300 picture package, we should be convincing her on the pictures. The last few months I was working there, we had call lists that had to be completed to entice previous customers to come back and see us.
I also know he felt that I was one of many managers that needed to be replaced within the company.
I can honestly say that I'll be happy to never work underneath him ever again.
Working at the studio definetly helped me realize that what I wanted to do was photography. I loved playing with kids and making families smile. I enjoyed capturing an image and having a mother tear up because it was exactly what she was looking for.
There were plenty of ups, but there were also plenty of downs.
SIDS was my least favorite word to ever creep up in conversation - especially after having my own son.
There were a few babies I had the bittersweet experience of photographing before their untimely passing. Even thinking about it now makes me want to cry.
However, it's also a reminder of how important my job as a photographer was then and still is now.
I also witnessed plenty of family unpleasentries.
The most common argument was so silly but some families really tore into each other for it.
Mom: "I don't know. Which one do you like?"
Dad: "I don't care."
Mom: *Sighs impatiently* "I just want your opinion."
Dad: "I don't care this is your thing. You get whatever you want."
Mom: "Which one of these do you like, though?"
Dad: "Do what you want. I don't care."
Mom: "Fine. What do you think of this picture/package?"
Dad: "What about this?"
Mom: "You like that one?" (or "Do you think that will be enough/too many?")
Dad: "Just... whatever. Do whatever. I don't care."
If I had a dollar for every time there was a rendition of that conversation in my presence (Especially at Christmas) I could have retired years ago... and that's saying something considering I'm not yet 30.
I guess the idea of the studio closing is just hard to wrap my head around. After seeing the end of the studio at the old store and being there to open the new studio at the new store - seeing it close is tough. I put so much of my heart and soul into that job... and then I remember that I still get to do all that fun stuff, but on my own terms now. I can do what I need to for customer satisfaction and for my own personal satisfaction.
If you managed to follow me through my nostalgic journey, thanks for reading. I don't know if it was actually something to keep interest for everyone, but I feel satisfied knowing these bits and pieces of my journey to where I am now are recorded in the depths of cyberspace.
Because of the studio closing, I think I'll be running am Easter special very very soon. Keep your eyes peeled for that.
For first dibbs on any sort of special, make sure you sign up for the VIP list!
You can sign up for that by clicking here!
Next week I'll be discussing another great tip on making your every day photography a little more frame-worthy!
.jpg)
