Developing into a good business

Lianne Cooper

25 April 2008

A BROMSGROVE photographer has seen his business go from strength to strength since launching last August.
Lighthearts Photography, based in Catshill, was set up by Steve Lightfoot after the 'extortionate costs' that photographers wanted to charge for his wedding to wife Estella in July 2007.
And since then the business has proved popular, receiving over 200 enquiries in the first few months and numerous firm bookings.
The 49-year-old photographer said it was the photography cost of his own wedding that inspired him to open up his own business.
"For our wedding most photographers wanted to charge over £1,000 for our small mid-week wedding and on top of that the album was extra," he said.
"All we really wanted was the disc of images so that we could use them as and when we chose, but this was not an option from most photographers who insisted on copyrighting the images for up to three years after our wedding.
"So i decided to set up my own business offering customers a professional approach to supplying digital images on a disc within a set budget, which is typically around £500 - some photographers will charge £250 for the disc alone."
Steve is an experienced photographer whose work has been published in professional magazines and on company websites.
Customers can choice from colour, black and white or sepia images as well as traditional reportage or story book shots.
Montages of favourite pictures can also be provided and couples can decide whether to invest further in a sumptuous handcrafted Italian album or to simply email guests their pictures.
As part of the service Steve will visit venues, take a few preliminary shorts and then discuss requirements at least twice with clients before their big day.
He added: "It's the customer's choice - the disc and copyright are theirs to keep forever.
"And I believe this affordable choice will enable couples to have a personal record of their big day.
"Every wedding is different and each one requires careful planning to ensure the best possible images."
For more information visit www.lightheartsphotography.co.uk.

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