10 YEARS! 10 AMAZING YEARS!
March 2006, for many months I had been working at my art, studying, practicing, and dreaming. Dreaming of a studio, a business, a way of life where I could create photographic art. Now, 10 years later, I can say, all of those things have happened and are still happening!
In the early days of Joanne Lee Photography, I offered Portrait Parties. I packed up my portable studio and went to people's homes. There, they would have invited family and friends and I would photograph them. This was a wonderful way to start my business. It was a TON of work, but it was incredibly worth it. Many of those people who first hosted a portrait party are still clients today!
In these first 10 years of business, I have gone on to have a few different studio spaces. My first tiny, 2 room space was on Rte. 1 in Scarborough. I'll never forget the day I was driving by, saw the "For Lease' sign and stopped in. Not long after I had signed a lease. This was a huge step. I was beaming with pride about that little space. It wasn't much, but it was my business and my way of saying to the world, "I am here!" Since then, my studio spaces have included Arundel, So. Portland, and now I am back in Scarborough.
I have moved on from Portrait Parties to studio sessions, location portraits, weddings, event and corporate photography. When I look back on the many opportunities I have had in these first 10 years, they only pale in comparison to the AMAZING people I have met on the way! The honor of watching their families change and grow all while I document things in portraits is beyond words. I am humbled.
Some things that stand out to me from these past 10 years.....
*Destination weddings like the one we photographed for Eric and Lindsay in the Bahamas.
*Newborn portraits for some of my first clients and now photographing their families as their child is 10!
*Photographing schools for special needs children, along with a wonderful team of assistants, thanks, Christina!
*Running to a wedding at the York Harbor Inn with my assistant photographer, Tricia, because a tractor trailer had blocked the road!
*The creation and success of UN-School Pictures!
*Meeting the REAL SANTA and having him be part of our Santa photos! Thanks, Andy, for introducing me to the Real Santa after all of these years!
*Joining BNI, and serving as president.
*Joining the Maine Professional Photographers Association, and serving as the president and Board of Directors.
*Joining the Professional Photographers of America and having my work selected to be featured in 3 loan collection books.
Hearing the question "Do you LIVE HERE?" countless times from children as they enter my studio. :) (It is quite home-y!)
There are SOOOOOO MANY memories, I can't even begin to scratch the surface. But, there are some that came to mind.
To my family, friends and clients...
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have helped me make a dream a reality. I can't say the journey was always easy, but I will say, it has been WORTH IT!
Here's to the next 10!
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