F8 Photo Studios Finds Art Museum Benefit Challenging, Rewarding

Raleigh, NC, October 28, 2006 --(PR.com)-- When Charleston native Cara Galati and partner Jonathan Kaz of ƒ8 photo studios in Raleigh donated their time and talent for the Contemporary Art Museum’s annual “Exposure Time,” held recently in downtown Raleigh, the new partners accomplished two things: They fulfilled their mission to give back to the community, and they received validation that they’d made the right decision when they decided to join forces.

Galati, the former principal of CGG Photography, recently launched ƒ8 photo studios with Jonathan Kaz of Sixpence Studios in Waterville, Maine, who will relocate to Raleigh permanently in early 2007. Their new studio is located in The Royal Bakery Building on Hillsborough Street.

“Exposure Time,” a fundraiser for Raleigh's Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), offered the public a chance to have private, 30-minute sessions with some of the area’s top portrait photographers for only $125 sitting fee. As new partners, Galati and Kaz decided to shoot their sessions together -- all of which were completely booked days before the event took place.

“I was really amazed,” Galati said afterwards. “People called to request sittings with us, and they were all people we’d never met before.”

"Being new to Raleigh,’ Exposure Time’ gave me an opportunity to give back to the community that I am soon to be a part of," Jonathan Kaz added.

Most of their clients-for-a-day consisted of children and entire families. The partners anticipated this and came prepared with toys, props, bubble-making devices, and costumes. Galati also brought her repertoire of animal sounds, which she knew from experience that the kids would love.

“We started each session with more formal poses, then we did whatever we could to bring out more personality,” Galati said. “We wanted to capture natural emotions.”

Galati described the experience as “extremely intense when you’re trying to shoot 36 exposures in 30 minutes.” But it helped she and Kaz discover just how well their individual strengths complement the partnership.

“It was a very hard, very challenging day, but it gave us an invaluable opportunity to see that we really do have terrific chemistry,” Galati noted. “It validated what we’re doing as partners.”

"Besides,” Kaz added, “just hearing the animal noises and prop-rattling from us and the other photographers was worth it!"

Galati and Kaz also found the experience to be “extremely rewarding,” she stressed. “We talked about what a feel-good type of event this was. The parents were great. They were so open to letting their kids be creative, and some kids knew exactly what they wanted, which was amazing! The families were excited and the CAM staff was incredibly supportive and helpful.”

The CAM staff was equally impressed with the collection of photographers who donated their time to the event. “It is only because of their generosity that we are able to offer [the public] the opportunity to have a private 30-minute session for a mere $125 sitting fee,” a CAM spokesperson commented.

CAM currently operates out of temporary facilities at 409 West Martin Street, which is located between West and Harrington Streets in the heart of Raleigh's revitalized warehouse district. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser will go towards building the museum’s permanent facility.

For more information on CAM, visit the museum’s website: www.camnc.org. For more information on ƒ8 photo studios, visit www.f8photostudios.com.

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