THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412240115
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS
DATELINE: CARROLLTON LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Fifty years' experience stands behind the work of Isle of Wight County's new one-hour photo lab, Fast Foto.
The photo lab, which opened Oct. 5 at 22313 Brewer's Neck Blvd., is run by cousins Ryan Gaskins, 20, and Laurie Leigh. 23. The two are partners in the business with their grandfather, photographer Carlton B. O'Neil.
Over the past five decades, O'Neil, 73, has operated photography studios in several Hampton Roads cities, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, and Elizabeth City, N.C. These days, O'Neil divides most of his time between the Carrollton and North Carolina offices.
Until now, O'Neil has only run portrait photography studios where he processed just the final prints he needed. He often sent his own film out to be processed.
``He (O'Neil) has been wanting one of the kids to get into the business for a while now,'' Gaskins said.
At Fast Foto, customers are able to get quality color photographs printed quickly and affordably, Gaskins said.
Fast Foto also offers specialized photographic services, including the restoration of old photographs and brush oil painting of photographs, a painting technique used to make photographs resemble paintings. Instead of contracting this work out to other companies, O'Neil or one of his staff does this work themselves, Gaskins added.
Business is booming at Fast Foto these days, according to Gaskins. Although open for less than three months, the photo lab has already built up a loyal customer following of both professional and amateur photographers, he said.
``Business has been real good so far,'' Gaskins said. ``Much better than we ever expected in such a short time.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Cousins Ryan Gaskin and Laurie Leigh opened Fast Foto, a one-hour
photo processing store.
by CNB