Photography, graphic design find way to Main Street

Upon first glance, the two young women who opened a shop last month on Main Street might be mistaken for college students.

In fact, first-time customers to the store have asked the 23 year olds if they could speak with their supervisor when, in reality, the owners were standing right in front of them.

Taryn Kaiser and Kristi Zobrist, both from Morton, moved their graphic and design and photography business, called Imagine Artists, out of their houses and into the new location at 117 S. Main St. in October.

“We’re very young,” Zobrist said. “People didn’t take us quite seriously, so I think (the shop) makes people realize that we’re in this full time now.”

“It’s not just some fun side-hobby,” added Kaiser.

Best friends Kaiser and Zobrist first opened their business, then named Two Peas in a Palate, in 2005. Their focus then was solely on graphic design.

“We took pictures here and there, but we really weren’t in to the photography end right away,” Kaiser said.

Last fall, they changed the name and went full time with the business. At that point, they began to delve into photography.

So far in 2009, the women have done the photography for 16 weddings, now a focus of the reinvented business. They also take senior and family portraits as well as design Christmas cards and other graphics for local businesses.

All throughout the shop — decorated with brightly painted yellow walls — hang large pictures of cheerful brides and grooms. They searched about 15 possible locations before coming across the spot on Main Street.

“I think we get a lot more walk-in business,” Zobrist said. “Before, I think a lot of our client base was family and friends and people who knew our family and friends. And now, we’re finding that we’re getting people outside of that circle.”

The women’s diverse educational backgrounds have helped them bring different skill sets to their business, they said. Kaiser majored in multimedia at Illinois Central College and in arts technology at Illinois State University, while Zobrist majored in photography and marketing in Bradley.

“We had this friendship before we started the business, so a lot of the challenges have just been in learning how to work together as business partners,” Kaiser said. “We both have different strengths and weaknesses.”

When it comes to taking pictures, their style can be described as “more candid, natural and laid back,” said Kaiser.

Upon first glance, the two young women who opened a shop last month on Main Street might be mistaken for college students.

In fact, first-time customers to the store have asked the 23 year olds if they could speak with their supervisor when, in reality, the owners were standing right in front of them.

Taryn Kaiser and Kristi Zobrist, both from Morton, moved their graphic and design and photography business, called Imagine Artists, out of their houses and into the new location at 117 S. Main St. in October.

“We’re very young,” Zobrist said. “People didn’t take us quite seriously, so I think (the shop) makes people realize that we’re in this full time now.”

“It’s not just some fun side-hobby,” added Kaiser.

Best friends Kaiser and Zobrist first opened their business, then named Two Peas in a Palate, in 2005. Their focus then was solely on graphic design.

“We took pictures here and there, but we really weren’t in to the photography end right away,” Kaiser said.

Last fall, they changed the name and went full time with the business. At that point, they began to delve into photography.

So far in 2009, the women have done the photography for 16 weddings, now a focus of the reinvented business. They also take senior and family portraits as well as design Christmas cards and other graphics for local businesses.

All throughout the shop — decorated with brightly painted yellow walls — hang large pictures of cheerful brides and grooms. They searched about 15 possible locations before coming across the spot on Main Street.

“I think we get a lot more walk-in business,” Zobrist said. “Before, I think a lot of our client base was family and friends and people who knew our family and friends. And now, we’re finding that we’re getting people outside of that circle.”

The women’s diverse educational backgrounds have helped them bring different skill sets to their business, they said. Kaiser majored in multimedia at Illinois Central College and in arts technology at Illinois State University, while Zobrist majored in photography and marketing in Bradley.

“We had this friendship before we started the business, so a lot of the challenges have just been in learning how to work together as business partners,” Kaiser said. “We both have different strengths and weaknesses.”

When it comes to taking pictures, their style can be described as “more candid, natural and laid back,” said Kaiser.

“We just like to joke around and have fun and capture what’s really going on,” Kaiser added.

While some might be hesitant to start a new business endeavor in this economic climate, the women both agree it was a necessary move to make.

“It’s a great time for us to start a business because in our field, you’re not going to find very many jobs around here unless you go to Chicago or some big city,” Kaiser said. “There are a million photographers out there right now. But we feel that we offer a wide range of services within photography, and also paired with the graphic design, I think it sets us apart.

Both women said they are happy to serve the community where they were raised. They also said they attribute much of their success to their family and church community.

“I think Morton is a great community,” Zobrist said. “I think a lot of people want to see Morton grow and have a downtown area. I think we’re in a good community to support a small business.”