Lori's Blog

Welcome to my blog.   My name is Lori Welk and I am the owner of Portraits by Lori.  I would like to share a little bit of how I started.  

I started my first job in February of 1990 working at Jerry's Photography in Monticello.  I worked with three of the best in the industry for 7 years.  Steve hired and trained me and showed me around a dark room,  Sue guided me in learning photography and the business.  And Jerry was there through it all watching and overseeing.  I can't thank them enough for those 7 years that were the foundation for me to create my own business.  Thank you!

After my oldest daughter turned 18 months old,  I decided I needed to make a change.  I loved my job but I needed something different.   My husband gave me the support and encouragement I needed to start building Portraits by Lori.  When the vision started there were a lot of unknowns.  Maybe I would start with weddings, but that wasn't really the way it was done back in the day.  Then I got a call, "are you able to photograph a group of 14 teenage girls"...my answer.. of course I can.   My husband didn't even blink.  He jumped in and started converting our two car garage into my new two car studio, lol.   We had a bare bulb handing from the ceiling and a roll of white carpet that we rolled out for the floor for pictures.  This was the first time photographing the Carroll County queens.  The community support was overwhelming and I couldn't have been more appreciative.  

When I started my studio there were only a handful of photographers in the surrounding counties and we all knew each other.  The industry has changed so much over the last 36 years.  From using a medium format Hasselblad film camera (oh how i miss that camera) to now using a Canon DSLR.  Making the switch was like learning the camera all over again, but that made me a better photographer.   

My studio has now been open for 29 years (I have no idea how that happened so fast).  

So many things about what I do is such a blessing.  From the newborn babies, to the engagements, families and seniors.  Lets not forget the sports aspect of my job.  So many kids from ages pre K- high school seniors.  I get to watch them grow up from year to year.  Then they graduate and start out on their own path and  family.

Thank you all who have taken time to read this, support my small business and join what I call my extended family.  I love and appreciate each and everyone of you.  May the Lord bless you and your family.