I started my first business way back in 2002. Before that I was a commercial photographer employed by the largest printing company in the world at that time. This company had transferred me from my hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia to Moncton, New Brunswick. Just after the events of Sept 11, 2011 the company, Quebecor did a massive lay off across the county and all of a sudden I was an unemployed commercial photographer. One thing let to another and 1 month later I opened my first studio called Reyno Photography just on top of the St. James Gate bar/restaurant in the heart of downtown Moncton. Those familiar with Moncton may now know my old studio space as the St. James Gate Boutique Hotel.
I was at this location from 2002-2004 and being new to running my own business make the mistake of not keeping my overhead low and had to do a huge amount of work to "break even" each month. That said I have many fond memories of having a large studio in a fun town like Moncton! Naturally having a business on top a bar you are going to get to know the bar staff. I am happy to say some of my closest friends are the friends that I met at that time of my life.
One of the great people I met was Natalie when she was working at the St. James Gate. We did several shoots together during that time. In 2004 I finished up all my photography commitments and closed up the studio to follow Pam (my girlfriend now wife) to Mississauga, Ontario where we started a new chapter of our lives. When I was in Ontario Natalie contacted me to photograph her wedding in Moncton but I had started working as a freelance photographer in Toronto and was already booked for her wedding day.
Pam and I moved back to our hometown of Bedford/Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2008 and Reyno Photography was rebranded to Dave Reyno Photography - the company we have built over the last 12 years here in Nova Scotia
I was thrilled when Natalie contacted me last year to document her daughters wedding 14 years after her own! Enter Kayla and Nick. Prior to their wedding day the last time I worked with Kayla she was a young teenager and I had not met Nick. I am happy to report that, other than being swarmed by black flies, it was the most amazing wedding day and Pam and I left Moncton with huge smiles on our faces after working with this great couple!
As I watch all the small businesses close around me I am thankful of the lessons I learned early in my career. Since moving back to Halifax I have kept my overhead low, ensuring I will make it through this Covid-19 crisis. I look forward to the very busy season we already have planned for 2021!
