Sign In / Register
At a time when the average lifespan of a small business is just over eight years, celebrating 25 years in business is a mark of both tenacity and commitment.
And the accomplishment is even more remarkable when you realise that Colin Stables, the owner of The Photo Store in Warkworth, is still just as passionate about printing photos today as he was when he started in May 1999.
“Every job we do matters so much to the customer, so it is very rewarding to be able to use the tools and skills we have at our disposal to preserve their precious memories,” he says. “I just love it.
“I grew up in this town and want to be here doing this forever.”
Stables puts his success in the store down to excellent staff, as well as an attitude that ‘anything is possible’.
“The answer to any request is ‘yes’. Whatever crazy idea a customer walks through the door with, we will make it happen.
“We hand-print every single photo and we use the best available equipment and software to deliver the best results you would get anywhere.”
Stables says photo development has changed profoundly over the past 25 years, primarily due to the advent of digital technology. Artificial intelligence-driven editing tools are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in both image capture and processing. Photo development is now faster, more convenient and more versatile than ever before.
Stables says that at any one time in the store, there will be a video converting, a scanner scanning and photoshop running an AI edit.
“What we can do now is just amazing.”
Not that life in business has been all plain sailing. The Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08 tested the store’s resilience and, more recently, the covid pandemic.
“I think you survive hard times by continuing to do the best job you possibly can. It has also taught me to take one day at a time and not to get stressed, but to deal with issues as they arise.”
Innovation has also been a key element of the business. At present, Stables and his team are moving towards more sustainable stock, locally produced wherever possible, including wooden frames, photo gifts and fridge magnets.
“If I had one word of advice for people about their photos, I would say print one photo of everyone who matters to you and put it in a real wooden frame. We are not in this world forever, but the people we love, and who love us, matter.”
