With expertise, passion, a dream and persistence, anything is possible, especially in the business world. PUC students Audrey Weaver and Jose Perez know this.
Weaver and Perez have been PUC students since the fall of 2004. The high school sweethearts, who have been dating for the past eight years, are graduating in May 2010. Weaver is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in secondary education, and Perez will be getting his associate degree in business and plans to pursue his Bachelor's degree part time.
About two years ago, the couple started Southshore Photography, a business that offers on-location photography with a unique modern, artistic and romantic style of shooting that Weaver and Perez have developed.
Weaver had a background in retouching and color-correcting images. Perez took several photography courses, including one at PUC. They say they built their business by focusing on improving what they saw as "short comings" in the photography industry and wanted to offer something different.
"We're not big on the studio approach, and we're often confused by the need for painted backdrops and fake props," Weaver said.
They agree if people want an urban style photo shoot, then the shoot should take place in a real urban setting instead of in a studio.
Southshore Photography mainly specializes in wedding photography, as well as engagement, bridal and family photography. Although they work out of Northwest Indiana, they also cover Chicago, IL, and destination weddings worldwide.
Weaver and Perez said they often have different perceptions of the subjects they photograph and attribute this to a masculine versus feminine approach. Their images will sometimes turn out different even though they are shooting the same moment.
"Together the images are much more powerful at telling a story since they offer both perspectives," Weaver said.
"When we're not shooting uninterrupted moments and emotions in a photojournalistic manner, we find that we shoot with an editorial and often fashion-influenced feel," Perez said.
Weaver and Perez feel being a couple makes a significant impact on the images they produce as well as how they relate with their clients.
"For engagement shoots, most couples are surprised by how much fun they have," Weaver said. "The one thing we hear most often is that it felt like a double-date." Weaver said this is especially important because on wedding days, the bride and groom are typically with their photographer more than they are with each other.
Being a team, Weaver and Perez have a unique advantage for shooting weddings. Perez documents the groom's day, while Weaver documents the bride's day. Perez said most grooms are more comfortable with another male shooting and vice versa.
While shooting family sessions, their goal is to show a family for who they really are at that particular stage in their family's growth.
"We love making people feel comfortable enough so that they can interact in a natural way and in a natural setting," Weaver said.
The couple plans to keep the business after they graduate because most of the events they photograph occur on weekends and during the summer months, which will fit well into their intended career prospects.
On a personal level, Weaver and Perez also share a love for animals and both are passionate about veganism and activism. They are very involved with animal rescue and adoption and are responsible for the newsstands in CLO filled with literature about how to lead a more "animal-friendly lifestyle."
Their passion for animal activism lead Weaver and Perez to spearhead their own organization called the Coalition for Animal Rights Education. CARE has held many events at PUC such as the first ever vegan Thanksgiving dinner, which accommodated 100 people and fundraised for the Miller Beach Humane Society.
Weaver and Perez are also involved with Farm Sanctuary, a national organization that leads campaigns for reform, as well as taking care of rescued farm animals.
"It's always an amazing experience so we always look forward to being involved with their campaigns," Perez said.
Weaver and Perez visit Farm Sanctuary's location in New York every summer.
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