The story of our professional photography business started a long time before we purchased The Chapel is March 2016. It all began with a 'dream' - a dream that maybe one day I could start a professional photography business in our local community. I had done plenty of photographic work previously for friends and family (including weddings) but without a professional photography business at that stage already in town, I saw a need for one to be established, offering everything from wedding and family photos, through to business and commercial photography.
So it was in May 2010, with the registered business name of 'Ady Shane Photography', and a client focused business motto of 'Your family, Your Business, Your Life', the business began! The business name was derived from 'Ady' being a short lived nickname from my younger days and 'Shane' being my middle name. My wife and I then invited our closest friends and family and set up our home like an art gallery to display my work for a launch party! It was a great night, celebrating the beginnings of seeing 'the dream' established.
Our Story
Within a couple of months of the launch, I had photographed numerous family photos, more weddings, conducted training days and already had bookings coming in thick and fast for the wedding seasons ahead. Over the subsequent years, the business continued to grow and expand.
Up until the end of 2015, my business had only been part time, as I also worked on our family's sheep and cattle property. In January 2016 my parents were ready to retire and I also was at a point I was wanting to go full time time as a professional photographer. (There are very few full time professional photographers in regional SA so building my business to become a full-time business is something I am particularly proud of and very much appreciate our local community's ongoing support.)
In going full time, I saw the need to move the business from being 'home based' to having a permanent studio in the town centre. In March 2016 we purchased the Heritage Chapel in Robertson street and begun an extensive renovation process with the building. With this new purchase was a great opportunity to rebrand the business and launch a new name. It had been an ongoing issue of amusement with the previous name, with the unfortunate regular confusion it was causing my valued clients. I don't know how many times on the phone I was inadvertently called 'Shane' or 'Andy', or all matter of combinations of the two. 'Just how do you spell that?'
In the wise words of a close business friend recently ...
"yeah, I never really got the name either!"......
So 'The Chapel Studio' was the perfect (simple) fit, and we launched the name in July 2016.
Since then we have gone from strength to strength and now receive incredible support right across the region and beyond with around 8000 people now following us on social media.
Some of my highlights so far have certainly been all the amazing places I have been to and all the interesting people I have met. I've had the privilege of photographing celebrity cook - Maggie Beer, ex Premier-Jay Weatherill, the SA Government's Country Cabinet, Federal politicians and taken photos for numerous national publications including magazines and newspapers. I've also had the privilege of winning local and national photography competitions and even judged the photography section of the 'Ibis Rising' awards at the Naracoorte Art Gallery. I've done work for multinational companies, as well as local success stories like 'Mini Jumbuk'.
Its always been about my clients, and whether it be one of the over 250 weddings I've photographed, or taking some shots for my children's kindy, I always want to do my absolute best.
Its always been about 'Your family, your business, your life!'
I look forward to serving my community and this region in the many years ahead, photographing images that celebrate life and its seasons, and capture the imagination.
One of our original logos -