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When Renee Crist opened her photo developing studio in Gig Harbor 21 years ago, the industry had just came up with new, small-scale technology that made it possible for independent labs to operate (vs. regional centers). Those days, the lab had to literally adjust color on every photo frame and calibrate the machines frequently.
In the last two decades, the industry has made huge leaps, moving to digital processing equipment, and now to catering to the digital camera craze. Crist’s business, PhotoPro Film and Digital Imaging Center, has grown along with the industry, while at the same becoming one of Gig Harbor’s fixtures.
Crist and her husband, Pat, opened the studio in the same building on Kimball Drive and shortly after moved to the corner spot the business still occupies, then expanded and added a portrait studio. While Pat’s involvement is limited to bookkeeping, Renee can do everything from portraits to photo restorations. Their daughter, Kyrie, a high school senior, started out “mopping the floors” as a youngster, and two years ago became an official employee.
A communication major in college, Crist likes both the creative and the technical side of photography. An award-winning photographer, she also enjoys working with computers and photo imaging software.
Digital equipment has brought many new possibilities to the industry. For example, photos that used to be restored “the old fashioned way,” in the darkroom, are now done digitally.
“Digital (technology) opened up our realm of possibilities,” Crist says. “It was amazing. We could do things we couldn’t do easily before.” Despite the availability of fully automated machines, PhotoPro still uses the human touch during the photo developing process — technicians closely watch the process to ensure the best quality photos.
The proliferation of digital cameras has brought a shift in photo imaging, and PhotoPro has kept ahead of the trends in order to cater to its customers. Services such as digital media kiosks in the store and online ordering have been added to keep up with the demand. A new service is also being planned that will allow customers to create their own bound “photo books” online, which will then be printed by PhotoPro.
“With the transition to digital (photography), I felt like I almost started a new business,” she says. “It was a huge learning curve — and for our customers, too.”
The business is certified as environmentally friendly by the EnviroStars program, with five stars (the highest rank). Using the top-of-the-line equipment means less chemicals are produced; the business recycles “just about everything” possible, along with participating in other recycling programs, such as cell phone recycling through an organization that provides calling cards for U.S. soldiers overseas in exchange.
The business was already practicing environmentally sustainable methods before Crist decided to apply for the recognition, and the program was a way to see how her business measured up.
Crist has been actively involved in her community, helping start Gig Harbor’s popular Maritime Gig parade, volunteering for the chamber of commerce executive board, the school district’s vocational advisory group, and as an adviser to the local high schools’ yearbook and photography programs. She has also taught photography classes at the local community college, and is active in several professional associations. “It keeps the sparkle alive,” she says.
Asked about her secret for success in an ever-changing industry, Crist says it’s about “being diversified enough so we have a lot of choices for people,” along with using state-of-the-art equipment and keeping ahead with training and trends.
She loves being part of so many people’s lives. “We see people’s weddings, we get to ‘go’ on vacations with them, they share their birthdays with us,” she says. “We see events from all over the world.”. |
