Q&A: Meet the picture perfect family-run Leeds photography shop

HOW DID YOU START OUT?

The Government were doing a scheme called the Enterprise Allowance Scheme where they gave you £40 a week if you set up your own business.

I also had to take a second mortgage out on my house to pay for equipment so it was very risky, especially with three children.

We first opened in 1984 and we were originally on Boar Lane then moved to Lower Briggate and have been in the Merrion Centre since 2005.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?

I’ve always been into photography, even from school. I started doing weddings and then made it into my own business with the shop.

DO THE SERVICES YOU OFFER TODAY DIFFER FROM THE PAST?

When we first opened we did same day processing which was fun.

We then moved into selling and we also do repairs and cleaning now. The industry has gone from film to mostly digital.

People still use film and the dark rooms because they will always be better quality than digital.

WHAT TYPE OF CUSTOMERS DO YOU GET?

We get a wide variety of people coming in, from professionals to semi-pros to keen amateurs.

We also get a lot of parents coming in now wanting to pick up cameras for their children for university.

WHAT MAKES YOUR STORE SO SPECIAL?

I think we are a unique and I think people like our service and the family aspect of it, with me and my two sons, Paul and Stephen, working here.

It’s very pleasing that people keep coming back to us.

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