Photography business succeeds despite theft

Courtney Crauthers
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND August 21, 2008 03:36 pm

— Christian Sangree had nothing but luck when he took over the main operations of Prints Charming Photography, a business his wife, Holly, started. Christian conducts photo shoots while Holly assists him and takes care of their two children, Adelaide, 3, and Astoria, 1.
“I started it before we got married,” Holly said. “Once we got married, he built the business up and made it profitable.”
However, their luck changed in March when more than $20,000 in camera equipment was stolen. Hundreds of photos were saved to the camera of a wedding Christian had just shot.
Christian pleaded through his blog and on various television stations asking for any information about the equipment so he could get back the bride’s wedding photos. His equipment had been stolen out the back of his vehicle by two men and sold to a drug dealer to pay for drugs. The drug dealer sold the equipment to somebody else who sold it to another man behind a convenience store.
The man, who had served time in prison for smuggling drugs and automatic weapons, found Christian’s card in the equipment and read the blog on his Web site.
“I really feel like God was looking out for us and really worked on that guy’s heart,” he said. “So many things had to happen for us to get that much back.”
The man called Christian on April Fools Day and arranged for a time and meeting place to return the equipment.
“He said, ‘Either I’m an idiot or I’m getting my life back,’” Christian said.
After exchanging so many hands, only $1,500 worth of equipment was unaccounted for. The photographer said he no longer takes anything for granted.
Christian said the business began as a hobby but grew so much that he took it over full-time in 2006. He said they might have had a dozen customers that first year.
“Now, we’re doing a session or event almost every night,” he said.
The couple are self-taught photographers but continue to take photography classes and workshops. Christian shoots portraits, weddings and commercial photography.
“He’s got such a great personality that all our customers like him,” Holly said.
Christian said one unique service they offer is proposal photography. He dresses up as a tourist or hides and then takes pictures when the man proposes.
“We probably do a dozen a year,” he said. “To have great photos of that is a neat thing.”
Christian often gives back to the community by volunteering his photography services for different organizations and by donating photo packages to silent auctions. The couple also occasionally meets with photographers to give them photo tips and advice.
“A lot of people helped us and it’s a way to give back,” he said.
The photographer said he enjoys the flexibility of shooting photos at events or outside versus in a studio.
“On the average shoot, we may walk a mile and a half,” Christian said. “I like the creativity of the outdoors.”
The couple makes a point of not letting work come before family. They have a weekly date night.
“We’ve done that since we were married,” Christian said. “We’ve found that to be a valuable time.”
He is a member of Edmond Young Professionals through the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce. In his free time, he enjoys biking, ultimate Frisbee and disc golf.

FOR MORE information about Prints Charming Photography, visit www.printscharmingphotography.com.

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