Barnsley photographer Collette Evans is in the running for a Federation of Small Businesses award.
Collette, who runs Picture Perfect Photography, is shortlisted in the Scale-up Business category of the FSB’s Celebrating Business Awards 2019 regional final.
The shortlisting recognises the growth the company has made over the last year, with corporate clients increasing from just two to 100, two extra staff joining the business and a move into new premises near Barnsley town centre.
Collette, who has been in photography for 16 years, said: “The last year has just been amazing. Twelve months ago I was busy with wedding photography, but since then it really has gone up a gear and now the diary is full to bursting.”
As well as commercial and wedding photography, Picture Perfect Photography specialises in fitness photography, and is the recommended wedding photographer for South Yorkshire venues Wortley Hall and Aston Hall.
One of the new members of staff that Collette has taken on is 16-year-old Alex Hollinworth, who is studying photography at Barnsley College.
“He is the same age that I was when I first got interested in photography and I really like the idea of bringing people on in the industry,” said Collette.
“I’ve also taken on a PA to cope with all the admin behind the scenes, and in the next 12 months I want to take on more staff, including other photographers, and move to a bigger studio.”
Collette, who is 31 and lives in Worsbrough, gained an HND in photography from Sheffield College, before working for a photographer in Barnsley and setting up Picture Perfect Photography in 2012.
One of the main reasons for the business’s growth in the last year has been the introduction of a subscription scheme for corporate clients, who can pay monthly to have up-to-date photographs.
“These days a company’s visual appearance is so important. Whether it’s your social media headshot or photographs of products for the website or a brochure; the first impression really matters in a world where people are making such quick decisions,” said Collette.
If Collette is successful in the Yorkshire and Humber final in York on March 1, she will automatically go through to the national final in London in May.
