Founder and owner Dick Rhody is retiring and selling the studio to office manager and photographer Louise Floyd. (View larger image.) Negotiations for the transfer began last year and were finalized on April 11.
The studio's philosophy to record and preserve family events in professional portraits will remain the same, along with the motto: "Photographers in service to families."
Suburban Studio will continue to serve as a full portrait studio for photographing high school seniors, weddings, families, pets, children, businesses and passports. It will also continue its copy and restoration work.
Floyd maintains Rhody's perspective of capturing the real person in each portrait. She said she is grateful that Rhody passed on his knowledge and experience of photography and business management, and that she'll miss "his charisma and humorous disposition."
This change in ownership will not disrupt any past or present purchases as Suburban Studio will maintain all its archived negatives and digital photos from its opening in 1967 until the present, assuring that every picture taken will be available.
Breaking into a new market
In 1967, Rhody and Cliff Schmitt started a new photography studio in Sun Prairie where there hadn't been one for many years. They had a storefront location downtown at
After a few years, Schmitt left to pursue other interests, while Rhody stayed on to keep the business flourishing.
Seven years later, Rhody relocated Suburban Studio to
The building went through many renovations, including a new addition in 1986 to accommodate Prairie Furniture Service, a business run by Rhody's wife, Dori.
Both businesses prospered until early 2001 when Dori Rhody's health declined and she decided to close shop.
Suburban Studio used the extra space to add more room for photography, backgrounds and props.
Preparing for the future
Suburban Studio remained a booming business and Rhody enlisted the services of Floyd in 2000. She and her family had moved to Wisconsin from southern
Floyd started out photographing weddings and quickly became interested in families and seniors as well.
She had a passion for working with Sun Prairie area residents, capturing their most memorable moments.
Suburban Studio became a good match for her personality and skills, and she soon added the role of office manager to her responsibilities.
Changing with the times
Always trying to keep up with changing technology, Suburban Studio switched from film cameras to the newest digital replacements. This change allowed the studio to focus more on the individuals being photographed rather than the quantity of photos being taken.
Along with digital cameras, computer software changed the way photographs were taken and printed, allowing for many different techniques to be incorporated into the portrait process.
Keeping this new technology in mind, Suburban Studio hired Marni Christensen as a special events photographer and webmaster. Through her family business, Wisconsin Computer Consulting And Development, Christensen created Suburban Studio's Web site along with desktop applications that allow customers' proofs to be viewed over the Internet.
Having a Web and photography background, she brought new techniques and creativity to the studio. Christensen will continue working with Floyd to create fine portraiture.
The next era begins
Since taking over Suburban Studio, Floyd has started revitalizing the building, giving it a fresh look and inviting appearance.
Her goal is to photograph individuals so their true personality shines through and is reflected in their portraiture.
Floyd also plans to focus more on families and children, bringing a warm insight from a mother's perspective.
She loves photographing individuals and families in Sun Prairie's parks, noting that "there is something about being outside that helps people relax and act more naturally."
Not being limited to location expands the possibilities of capturing all kinds of unique portraits. Fewer photographers today actually operate out of a studio and this gives Suburban Studio more opportunities for consultation and professional studio portraits.
"Portrait photography, like any job, has many challenges," she said, "but the reward of a smiling face from an excited and well satisfied customer makes going to work every day more enjoyable."
