photography

My facebook photography group if you into photography stuff

http://www.facebook.com/groups/139128306209804/

 Despite the daily reminder of a cringing economy Ashley, 23, and Jeremy Hausfelder, 27, are a newly married couple who decided to put their fears aside and launch Bella Art Photography at 17 Vine Street, Batavia.

It was when the couple started planning their own wedding and looking for a photographer they were instantly attracted to photography.

"I became infatuated with finding the perfect photographer for our wedding." Ashley continued saying a a photographer was their biggest investment for the wedding.

"After all, your wedding day flies by fast and all you have left to remember it by are through your photographs," said Ashley.

Bella Art specializes in weddings, high school senior, and newborn photography. The couple opened their small in home studio officially this past January. They hope to expand the studio in the next couple years and currently travel to their clients choice of location with all their equipment and props.

With the natural fear of starting a business it was the fear of the unknown that weighed heavily over the couple.

Would the community be supportive and receptive   to a new photography business? Will the finanical investment pay off in the end? These were just some of the questions lingering in their minds while going forth with Bella Art.

"However, no one can succeed if they never try and  I know that we would have regretted not trying to create this business," said Ashley.

They invested thousands of dollars and countless hours of research to ensure they were doing things the right way.

"The majority of our time was put into researching everything from what equipment purchase, branding our "image", financing, etc," said Ashley. " It definitely isn't easy, but we really feel it's worth it."

Word of mouth from previous clients is keeping these two busy on the weekends and has already lead to weddings booked this summer.

"You would think that it would be stressful juggling our full time jobs and then working on our business part-time on the weekends, but it is extremely rewarding, " said Ashley. "It doesn't feel like work when it's something you love and enjoy doing."

Only a few months later from the official launch date and Bella Art has expanded its marketing.

"We are registered on several wedding websites, we just recently put an ad in the Penny Saver to recruit for senior reps, had a display in Key Bank here in Batavia, and we also use Facebook," said Ashley.

They chose the name Bella Art because they said it's exactly what they strive to produce every day, "beautiful art."

The couple said what makes this all worth it is capturing special candid moments and being able to freeze those emotions in time while being able to see a client's reactions when you show them their pictures.

Their advice for starting your own  business, "Patience is a virtue. It's so importnant to do your research and have a plan in place before you jump right in. Most importantly though, love what you do."

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is pleased to announce a new exhibit by Daniel Cherry and Robert Williams in its Bank of Castile Main Gallery located in Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. in Batavia.

The exhibit runs through March 29th and showcases more than 30 works by the two photographers, combined. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and by appointment.

Cherry has loved taking pictures since he was young. He grew up on a small farm in Oakfield and was very involved in 4-H as a boy. He is now a single dad, and proud father of two boys, Daniel Jr. and Jimmy, whom he has photographed since their birth.

He has exhibited at the former PIECES Gallery, Main Street Coffee and Batavia’s “First Thursdays” event. He is a regular contributor to GO ART!’s annual winter group shows, but this is his first feature show.

Camera in hand everywhere he goes, Cherry feels strongly that “images are important” and that “cameras are like our eyes, but they can capture a moment forever so that someday people can see what we saw…they are a history of our lives, and they can never be replaced if we lose them.”

Similarly attached to his camera, Williams’ slogan is “have camera will travel.” He has belonged to the Batavia Photography Club for 24 years, a club that he feels is a great venue to learn to improve your photography skills (www.bataviaphoto.org).

While most of his photography features elements such as flowers, scenery, hot air balloons and fireworks, Williams has also dabbled in weddings, senior family portraits and family portraits.

“I have learned if you do something and you want a picture of it, take it right then as it might not be there next time,” Williams said, adding, “Go out and have fun with (your) camera.”

He is exhibiting a variety of photos that he hopes everybody enjoys viewing.

GO ART! exhibits are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts. For more information, contact GO ART! at 343-9313, info@GOart.org or visit www.GOart.org.