Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Floden.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I was the president of the photography club in high school I had a love for the medium. Capturing a moment in time that represented memories or emotion has always captured my imagination. I went to college for theatrical design and spent many years working as a scenic and lighting designer in the city. I would work days as a photographer to allow me to work nights in the theatre. When I had my first child I felt the need to choose one path, and I had a greater passion for, and success in, photography.
My professional photography career started with newborn and family portraiture. I started in the social event market with a studio named Jewel Living Color, who at the time was the largest studio servicing the Northshore Jewish market. It is here that I developed my style and a reputation within the community. In 2004 I opened my own studio and embarked on a journey to expand my talents and ability to service the community in which I had gained a following.
Cobalt Photography has grown into one of the busiest studios servicing the Northshore community. Cobalt now consists of myself, an office manager, and 3 photographers. We have grown in size, but avoid the pitfalls of becoming a freelance studio in favor of continuing to provide a boutique service to our clients. We specialize in Jewish Weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, covering an average of 90 events a year. We also have a busy commercial side offering complete photographic services to many companies in Cook and Lake Counties. We cover an average of 100 corporate assignments a year.
Has it been a smooth road?
As digital cameras have become more and more sophisticated, it has made it easier for the amateur photographer to market themselves as a professional studio. We find ourselves spending more and more time educating the client base that it takes more than a camera and a website to be a professional photographer. Unfortunately, many clients are working with underqualified photographers who would have perfected their art with a mentor rather than rushing to create a website and learning at the client’s expense.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cobalt Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Cobalt Photography is a full-service studio offering social and corporate photography. An average year sees a 60/40 ratio of social to corporate booking.
In the social market, we have a very strong reputation in the Northshore Jewish community and are a leading studio in the Bar/Bat mitzvah market. In the corporate market, we offer everything from corporate portraits, headshots, meeting and event coverage, banquets, ceremonies, and small product.
We are most proud of our ability to maintain a very busy shooting schedule while still offering the personal service that has earned us the trust of the clients that has resulted in a very strong referral base for new business.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We are moving more and more to a digital delivery for our clients. We still create albums for approximately 80% of our clients, but the demand is rising for digital versions of everything we do. Between phones, tablets, computers, and many cloud-based storage options, our clients are moving more and more to digital versions of their images.
We are also seeing a growing rise in digital communication with our clients. With the busy schedules, our clients are dealing with, face to face meetings are declining, so we are always looking for efficient and convenient ways to communicate with our clients that maintain the personal touch that we strive for.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3344 Commercial Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062 - Website: Www.photosbycobalt.com
- Phone: 847-356-0480
- Email: brad@photosbycobalt.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photosbycobalt/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CobaltPhoto
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
