THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605070162
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Business
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Over the years, Lois Haynes has photographed many a bride in Isle of Wight County.
Portraits of bubbling babies and smiling toddlers hanging on the walls of Haynes Studio of Photography, 14216-A Benns Church Blvd., prove she was around when many of these women and their husbands embarked upon the second stage of married life: families.
Haynes, 60, operated Haynes Studio of Photography in downtown Smithfield for 13 years before medical problems forced her to close three years ago. But now, Haynes is back in business and ready to preserve special moments in time.
``Even when the studio had closed, I never really stopped taking pictures,'' Haynes said. ``Customers still would call me to record the big events in their lives - a marriage, a death or a new baby in the family.''
Photographs are a visual family tree with roots that run generations deep. Having a portrait made at all the family milestones - before the kids start school, leave for college, when children marry or Dad retires - is one way of visually tracking the family's growth.
``Even young families should do this because you never know what can happen tomorrow,'' Haynes said.
When her shop on Main Street had to close for renovations three years ago, Haynes decided to close the studio and give herself time to undergo some much-needed shoulder surgery. Because use of her arm was limited for so long, Haynes began selling insurance.
Despite her success in the insurance industry, she never stopped missing what she left behind as Smithfield's only portrait artist.
``It was like I'd lost part of my family,'' Haynes said. ``I missed the interpersonal rapport I established with each client during the time I spent with them.
``Once you've been in a creative field, it's hard to do anything else. It is hard to suppress that creative urge and I didn't really want to anyway.''
So during her two-week vacation to the Outer Banks last November, Haynes made the decision that reversed the direction of her career. Upon returning to Smithfield, she rented the roomier, new studio on Benns Church Boulevard where she opened for business last month.
``I like it out here and there is so much growth in Isle of Wight County today,'' Haynes said. ``I'm excited about the opportunity and I'm convinced opening here was a good decision.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by ALLISON T. WILLIAMS
Lois Haynes has reopened Haynes Studio of Photography in
Smithfield.
by CNB