October 7, 2019
at 9:00am -
5:00pm
with Susan J. Roche
With almost forty years experience as a small portrait studio specializing as a child and family portrait photographer it is time share of what I have learned along the way.
Susan Roche’s photography business began as a home studio while raising a little one in 1984. As a married, young mom working part time, still a college student with zero money, she knew she wanted her own business as a portrait photographer! Joining PPA and PPANJ gave education that showed the way. With the purchase of her home came the home studio two years later. After a while, it was not enough space with a growing family.
Her first studio came in 1991, and was upstairs in victorian house turned office building - by appointment only with an office and studio. It seems that money was always tight for along time. Challenges happened both personal and financial staying the course had obstacles. That is being in business and life.
Yet her goal always was to open the studio/gallery at a beach location to allow ease in beach family portraiture. Then in 2010, the studio opened within walking distance to the sand. Unfortunately, in 2012, Superstorm Sandy devastated the town and the studio. Now, almost 7 years later, she is operating a profitable and successful studio. It has been hard work, dedication, and discipline with many lessons.
Items to Bring: Something to take notes with. Bay Head is a lovely beach town so we may walk to the beach, have lunch out. There are great places to stay - the Bay Head Sands Bed and Breakfast or Historic Grenville Hotel are off season with great pricing in! Call me for info or tell them Susan sent you!
So many helped her when she was young learning to be a portraiture artist. Then many more helped in picking her up when it was needed. Times she was scared, unsure if the business could be profitable again. Weathering technical changes, environmental changes and life changes. One thing that remained was her dream of seeing light, understanding people, capturing beauty in people.
The goal of this class is to help you create work that is your style and reflects you as an artist. Susan will provide ideals that will help you stay that way, and not try to do what you think will make you money. You will go over the pro's and cons of home VS. brick and mortar studios, and ways to grow in the directions that best suits you. Lastly, you will discuss marketing ideas, and if time allows, ways to create great portraits
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