It is with mixed emotions that we announce that Okemos Studio of Photography will be closing its doors in the Spring of 2020.
This decision was not an easy one to make. It took a lot of thought and deliberation by the studio partners, Roland Gifford and Ron and Kathi Mitchell. While it is a shock to many of you, we feel it is the right decision for ourselves and our families.
After 60 years in business, Roland, a founding partner, would like to finally retire! He has faithfully been here almost every day and has earned the chance to spend more time relaxing, vacationing, and gardening.
Ron, our principal photographer for 40 years, has already retired, due to health reasons. He misses working with people on a daily basis, but is enjoying time at home reading, playing guitar and petting his precious dog.
Kathi has decided that, after 29 years at the studio, it was time for a change. She loves working part time as the children's Christian Education director at her church and wants to continue photography with the other half of her time. She is excited to get back to creating images and out from the pressures of managing a small business. She will continue to focus (pardon the pun) on the studio until it closes. You can reach her at bluedenimphotog@gmail.com to reserve a session after May 1st. She is looking forward to this simpler life, spending more time at home with Ron and actually enjoying a relaxing summer!
This means the studio must close, the building sold, and we will all begin the next chapter of our lives.
Our biggest sadness will be in not seeing our Okemos Studio family every day. Rosalyn and Katie have been loyal and valued employees for 19 and 16 years, respectively. They are not just employees, but family.
Katie, our talented photographer, will continue creating family, senior and business portraits with Murray Lamb Photography, with her husband, Greg. They will be booking sessions beginning April 1st at www.murraylamb.com. You can also contact her at katie@murraylamb.com for more information.
Rosalyn is looking for other opportunities that utilize her fabulous customer service skills. As you know, she is great at working with people and we will miss her smile and energy every day. Her wife and fur babies will enjoy having her home more for the time being.
We will also miss seeing you, our valued clients! We have loved spending time with you, getting to know you, and watching your families and children grow. Some of you have become personal friends, and for that, we are grateful. Please stop by to share your memories, get a hug, and say goodbye. We’ll have the tissues ready.
What does our closing mean for you? There are a few weeks left to have a portrait done in the studio! We will be having a Last Chance Special, which will include a session and digital files. Look for that post/email later this week.
If you have yet to order or have images on file, see the timeline below.
*Please note: Our building is for sale. Some of these dates may change due to the real estate transaction.
Tuesday, 3/31/20 - Last day to be photographed at Okemos Studio.
April, 2020 – Sale of all equipment, furnishings, samples, frames, etc.
Friday, 4/17/20 - Last day to order prints, open house announcements, etc.
Friday, 5/1/20* - Last day to order digital files
Friday, 5/15/20* - Last day to pick up an order at Okemos Studio.
*If the building has sold, we will work with you to make shipping/delivery arrangements.
Negatives and images will not be stored. If you would like to purchase your Okemos Studio images, please contact us immediately. Copyright releases will be included with each purchase.
All of us in the Okemos Studio family thank you for business, friendship and support all of these years. We have maintained a successful professional photography studio in one of the most difficult industries around. Competition from amateur photographers, the advent of digital imaging, and smaller family sizes have definitely impacted our business. We feel proud of the images we've created and that we were able to thrive for so long.
But now it is time for us to move on.
Thank you for being part of our lives.
With warmest regards,
Roland, Ron, Kathi, Rosalyn & Katie
The Okemos Studio Crew