Kay is featured in AZPPA Member Spotlight

The article below was featured in the Arizona Professional Photographers monthly newsletter.

Member Spotlight
Kay Eskridge

What is your background, education, training, work experience if other than photography?
"Ironically, I've always had a passion for photography: the yearbook in high school, photo-journalism up at NAU, part time jobs during the summer at Duke Photography, Grand Canyon Color Lab . . . owned my own lab before starting the studio. So I guess I'm doing what I've always been trained and wanted to do."

How long have you been a photographer? When and how did you get started? How did you learn photography?
"As long as I can remember: I started with a 35mm Olympus that was always at my side. For as much 'formal' education as I had (high school and college) I learned more from my involvements with the AZPPA and PPA and networking with other professional photographers. And then, the 'School of Hard Knocks' or just learning as I went was an amazing teacher too."

"I don't think being a good photographer is really something you 'learn' - you 'learn' to take a picture but it's what is in your heart and the passion you have for what you do that really makes you a true photographer."

What is your specialty?
Do you only do weddings or do you shoot portraits too?
"I consider myself a 'lifestyle portrait artist' specializing in family and children and all of the amazing times in their lives. I love working with people and knowing that what I provide will be an important part of their family legacy. Pets are a lot of fun too and sometimes behave better than a two year old. I still take on some wedding work but have cut way back so I can reserve Saturday's for our family portrait and High School Senior work."

What are your goals for your business?
"Continued business and personal growth, a new commitment to understanding and functioning in the 'cyber community' and continuing to help raise the level of professionalism in our industry."

What has been your most successful marketing effort to date?
"Our 'Paws for a Cause' program for pets benefiting the PACC911(they unite the pet rescue community). Not only has it brought attention to our studio as a philanthropic presence but it's opened our doors to all kinds of new clients that might not have had the chance to work with us otherwise."

Why did you join the AzPPA? What has been the best thing you have gotten out of being a member? Or what do you look forward to the most out of being a member?
"I think it was sometime around 1989? We'd just opened a one hour lab and we were looking into opening a studio and thought networking with other photographers would be the best way to start."
"The best 'thing' I got out of the AZPPA isn't a thing . . . . it's the people I've had the privilege to get to know, make friendships with and consider a big part of my life personally and professionally."