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Magazine Feature Story
Cameo: Judy Trice, Bay Area Photography, Inc.
By Jay Winchester
Published: January 2009
 When encountering the camera for the first time, some primitive tribes were frightened by a device they didn’t understand and feared that its “magic” would somehow capture their souls. As it turns out, they weren’t too far from the truth. Photography - really good photography, defined as high quality images captured by the potent combination of excellent equipment and someone with an eye for the details the camera reveals - does capture people’s souls.
It’s that power to capture people’s souls that continues to drive Judy Trice’s passion for photography. Trice, owner of Brandon-based Bay Area Photography, Inc. and a veteran photographer with over 25 years in her craft, specialized in capturing magic moments. “We do infant portraits usually on location at the family’s home - these are my favorite shoots - as well as children and family portraits on location. We also have a studio for those who prefer that setting,” she says. “A family who values quality service and a lifelong portrait of their most valued treasure, their family, or a bride and groom who want great photography and are willing to go the extra mile - these all make great clients for us!”
Bay Area Photography serves the greater Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Ocala, Tampa, Orlando and Clearwater. Together with partner Francine Vitale, the company also shoots approximately 25 weddings a year, as well as corporate and business portraits, shot either on location or in the studio. Long-time readers of Bay Area Business Magazine are already familiar with the company’s excellent work, which accompanies every story in every issue.
Two things set Trice, a Pennsylvania native whose family has lived there for over 150 years, apart from most other photographers working in this market. The first is her seven-year stint as a photojournalist working for newspapers. “In 1983 I started working for the Tribune Review in Greensburg, PA,” she recalls. “In my first year on the job, I was introduced to John Beal, an award-winning photojournalist. He was kind enough to take me to a photo contest where I met with the famous Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Eddie Adams. I was inspired by these men and still am to this day!” She counts photographers David Peters of San Francisco and the late, legendary Monte Zucker of Maryland as other inspirational artists and mentors under whom she studied.
It was an educational and professional experience that has paid continual dividends, not only in terms of her business, but also her experiences. “I have not looked back and am very privileged to do what I love for a living,” says Trice. “I’ve been fortunate to photograph high profile people such as Jane Pauley, Hugh Downs, Ivana Trump, Governor Christ, Jack Eckerd and Pat Robertson, among others. I have walked through a forest fire and been hoisted above a 747 aircraft in a cherry picker. Sports, tragic events like plane crashes, new born babies- it’s an incredibly diverse palette. In one day, I photographed a plane crash in Alabama and three hours later, I was shooting the New Year baby. By the time I was 27, I had seen a lot!”
Today, those experiences pay off in her business. Bay Area Photography doesn’t chase clients. Rather, clients chase them, since all their business comes either by referral or appointment only. “What sets us apart is summed up by our tagline: ‘When quality and experience count,’” says Trice. “I have several long term clients who seem to be more like good friends. As an example, we are photographing a wedding in St. Maarten that has a family connection. I photographed the bride’s brother and his wife at their wedding 10 years ago. That connection enabled the bride to find us. I will go to a far away place with a familiar face!” That shoot will take Trice and Vitale on a 3,000 mile trek, but it’s all in a day’s work for her.
So is an urge to ensure that customers are treated well and that their photographic experience is uniquely suited to them. “We try to be personable and creative,” she says. “We are not a cookie cutter, pick-your-background studio. In fact, we prefer to do location sessions.”
Bay Area Photography is a unique studio producing work of the highest quality, and Trice believes she is blessed to be doing what she does. “God has given me the ability to see light and to work with people,” Trice says. “I am a professional observer!”
For Judy Trice and Bay Area Photography, that’s an interesting - and profitable - development.
For information on capturing the precious memories of your upcoming wedding or other special event, visit Bay Area Photography, Inc., or call 813.689.1993.
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