 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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