Photographer comes home to family business
PALESTINE — After 20 years honing his career as a professional photographer in Dallas, Palestine native Jeffrey Roberson has returned to his hometown to share his talent with the community through the recent opening of his new studio, Jeffrey Todd Photography.
“I was ready for a change,” Roberson said. “I had a studio here in Palestine for 13 years, then spent the next 20 years working out of my home in Dallas. I wanted to get back to a studio setting — and my family is here — so I decided to come home.”
Roberson officially opened his new studio, located on Avenue A, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on May 24. He purchased the building on May 30, 2011 and began the year-long process of renovating the facility.
“Since I returned to Palestine, even before the studio opened, I have already done quite a few weddings and portraits,” Roberson said. “It was mostly through word of mouth — from people who know me and knew I was back in Palestine.
“It has been really neat photographing seniors from families who parents weddings I took pictures of 25 years ago,” he added.
Roberson’s first memory of taking pictures was with an old Polaroid camera during a trip to Big Bend.
“I got really into it at 12, when I got my first real camera, and continued pursuing photography as a career,” he said. “When I was 16 my dad opened a camera store, the Camera Corral, and I worked in a small studio there — that became what I really enjoyed.”
His father later built a new building for the business, called House of Photography, in 1982. Located at the corner of Kolstad and Mallard Streets, the building had a separate store and studio, which was run by Roberson until he moved to Dallas in 1989.
“Doing portraits is my favorite. I really enjoy it. I get excited about it,” Roberson said. “I prefer photographing people — particularly families and their pets and high school seniors.
“I love that I get to see people at their happy times — when they get married or have a baby,” he added. “And then to watch their children grow up and photograph them when they get older.”
Roberson’s father, Lamar Roberson, was a huge influence on his career as a photographer.
“He was a photographer as well,” Jeffrey said. “It was a hobby of his. I got a lot of help from him.”
What makes a truly professional photographer, Roberson believes, is the ability to work with people prior to their portraits — talking with them about clothing, location and just getting to know them.
“Preplanning is what goes into making a successful photography session,” he said. “The amount of time spent with clients really makes a difference.
“In wedding photos, I always include engagement and bridal sessions as well — which gives me another chance to get to know everybody,” he explained. “At weddings, it is always my goal to be able to call the members of the wedding party by name — to put faces to names.”
To further his education in the craft, Roberson attends a lot of seminars — about 30 days a year spent keeping up with the latest trends. He is a member of the Wedding Photographer Association (WPI) and Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
“I always learn new things at each conference — about lighting, posing, etc,” he said. “Getting that extra education has helped.”
Roberson is a 1978 graduate of Palestine High School. His dad as well as his two sisters, Amy Roberson and Marla Shoulders, reside in the Palestine area. When not behind the camera he enjoys playing golf and, of course, does lots of personal photography.
“I was ready for a change,” Roberson said. “I had a studio here in Palestine for 13 years, then spent the next 20 years working out of my home in Dallas. I wanted to get back to a studio setting — and my family is here — so I decided to come home.”
Roberson officially opened his new studio, located on Avenue A, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on May 24. He purchased the building on May 30, 2011 and began the year-long process of renovating the facility.
“Since I returned to Palestine, even before the studio opened, I have already done quite a few weddings and portraits,” Roberson said. “It was mostly through word of mouth — from people who know me and knew I was back in Palestine.
“It has been really neat photographing seniors from families who parents weddings I took pictures of 25 years ago,” he added.
Roberson’s first memory of taking pictures was with an old Polaroid camera during a trip to Big Bend.
“I got really into it at 12, when I got my first real camera, and continued pursuing photography as a career,” he said. “When I was 16 my dad opened a camera store, the Camera Corral, and I worked in a small studio there — that became what I really enjoyed.”
His father later built a new building for the business, called House of Photography, in 1982. Located at the corner of Kolstad and Mallard Streets, the building had a separate store and studio, which was run by Roberson until he moved to Dallas in 1989.
“Doing portraits is my favorite. I really enjoy it. I get excited about it,” Roberson said. “I prefer photographing people — particularly families and their pets and high school seniors.
“I love that I get to see people at their happy times — when they get married or have a baby,” he added. “And then to watch their children grow up and photograph them when they get older.”
Roberson’s father, Lamar Roberson, was a huge influence on his career as a photographer.
“He was a photographer as well,” Jeffrey said. “It was a hobby of his. I got a lot of help from him.”
What makes a truly professional photographer, Roberson believes, is the ability to work with people prior to their portraits — talking with them about clothing, location and just getting to know them.
“Preplanning is what goes into making a successful photography session,” he said. “The amount of time spent with clients really makes a difference.
“In wedding photos, I always include engagement and bridal sessions as well — which gives me another chance to get to know everybody,” he explained. “At weddings, it is always my goal to be able to call the members of the wedding party by name — to put faces to names.”
To further his education in the craft, Roberson attends a lot of seminars — about 30 days a year spent keeping up with the latest trends. He is a member of the Wedding Photographer Association (WPI) and Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
“I always learn new things at each conference — about lighting, posing, etc,” he said. “Getting that extra education has helped.”
Roberson is a 1978 graduate of Palestine High School. His dad as well as his two sisters, Amy Roberson and Marla Shoulders, reside in the Palestine area. When not behind the camera he enjoys playing golf and, of course, does lots of personal photography.
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