Digital camera turns hobby into business

The digital revolution has been a mixed blessing for photographers.

On one hand, digital is more convenient in every way. On the other, it has lured everyone with opposable thumbs into thinking he or she can be an awardwinning photographer.

A quick look at the average set of holiday shots confirms that it takes more than a digital camera to take great pictures. Still, many people can take gorgeous photos, and digital cameras have fostered their hobby in a way that wasn't possible when amateurs needed a $1,500 camera and darkroom to pursue their interest.

Kath Hooson has always taken photos, in her native England, and later when she emigrated to Toronto and for the last several years while living in London and most recently, Lucan. She lives and works with Mike Partridge, who runs a mail-order parts business for British motor bikes.

The business keeps both of them busy, catering to collectors and enthusiasts all over the world.

"I've always taken photos and I love digital. It's the best thing ever," says
Hooson, 49. "If you took bad photos before, you'll still take bad photos, but
you can shoot so many more and not print as many bad ones."

Her photography has always been a hobby, never a business. It still leans more toward the hobby end of the spectrum, but last year she decided to mount some favourite shots on greeting card stock. She gave some to friends on greeting-card-required occasions and soon realized she had something unique on her hands.

"People really liked them, so I started selling them to friends and family. I started personalizing the printed message on the card as well, so they could give a card that was unique to them."

Anyone with a camera and a computer can upload their photos and create greeting cards at a dozen Internet sites, so personalized cards aren't exactly new. But Hooson's cards stand out because of her approach. She prints her photos on glossy paper and mounts those on white card stock. They appear handmade because they are.

Her specialty is flowers and nature. She readily admits she's not great at taking portraits. She's also not all that well versed in the technical side of photography. Her camera, a Panasonic Lumix TZ5, is a capable compact digital camera, but hardly professional grade. That's the point of digital: She has about 160 photos she's proud of, with enough nuance to work on a greeting card.

Customers can choose specific photos with custom greetings, or they can buy the packages she puts together. Cards cost $4.95 individually; $3.95 each for 10 or more; $2.95 each for 100 or more. That's pretty competitive, especially when compared to artsy cards in gift shops that often cost more than the gift they accompany to the party.

Hooson sells cards directly to customers and also has some for sale at Earthen Elegance in Lucan.
Next on her to-do list is a website, where customers could select photos and order cards, but she hasn't figured out how to protect her copyrighted material yet, so that's on hold.

Meantime, she takes orders and communicates with customers by e-mail, sending samples and design ideas to create exactly what each customer wants.