Pictures are a wonderful way of capturing moments in time and
professionally-done pictures add that extra-special touch for
almost any occasion.
Pictures are a wonderful way of capturing moments in time and professionally-done pictures add that extra-special touch for almost any occasion.
Lam Studio, specializing in digital photography, is managed by the husband-and-wife team of Lam and Ly Bui. They work hard to give their customers good-quality pictures at reasonable prices.
While Ly runs the office side of the business, Lam concentrates on the photographs.
“We try to make beautiful pictures for our customers,” Ly said. “We try to serve our customers everything they want, from color to black-and-white. We try to show what they want.”
Lam has been a professional photographer for seven years. After getting into the business he decided to pursue photography as a profession. He took college classes to advance his skills and learned a variety of photographic techniques he uses today.
“Before, we worked on locations only,” Ly said. “We would go out and do weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, quinceaneras and family portraits in the home. When we take pictures of weddings we take action pictures, not all posed pictures. Now, we will still go out to do weddings, parties and take pictures on location, or people can come here to our studio. We do engagement pictures, family pictures, high school senior pictures, quinceaneras, most anything the customer wants. We don’t do funeral pictures and we don’t do pet pictures.”
The parents of two young children themselves, the Buis know how expensive today’s world can be. That’s one of the reasons they work hard to keep their prices reasonable.
“We don’t sell packages like a lot of places do. We sell by the picture,” Ly said. “Our sitting fees are $5 for one person, $10 for two people and $15 for three people and up. If we’re not busy we can have wallet-sized proofs done in an hour. People can come back and choose. If they don’t like any pictures, they don’t have to buy any. We let our customers have a choice. If they’re happy, it works out for us. We want to be different, not the same as the other studios.”
Prices range from $15 for an 8-by-10 photo to $15 for two 5-by-7s , four 3-by-5s or a sheet of wallet-sized photos.
“Most everything is $15,” Ly said. “If they’re not happy, they don’t have to buy even one picture.”
Turning out professional pictures means helping customers feel relaxed.
“Two of our customers had their picture taken on their motorcycle,” Ly said. “We’re planning to put this in our window for display next 4th of July. They brought their motorcycle in the studio and we took their picture here. Any props people want to bring in, they’re welcome to. We also welcome appointments and walk-ins.”
The Buis photograph babies, children and teenagers as well as passport or green-card portraits. Proofs are usually available within an hour.
Lam Studio is at 417 San Benito Street. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information or to make an appointment, call 636-3753.
