Industrial Park Shopping: Cantrell Portrait Design

Benicia Patch periodically profiles businesses located in the Industrial Park and the Arsenal. These are businesses where Benicians can shop.  Patch interviewed award-winning photographer and author Bambi Cantrell at her Historic Benicia Arsenal studio in the 940 Tyler building.

How long has been in the Industrial Park?
My studio has been in the Historic Benicia Arsenal for almost three years. I’ve been in business for nearly 20 years.

Tell me about your photography.
I specialize in family portraits, head shots, and portfolios. I made my name in wedding photography. I’ve written three books on the subject of wedding photography which are available at Borders and Barnes and Nobles.These days I’m doing more fine art and boudoir photography as well. 

How did you get into the business?
I knew I wanted to be a photographer since I was five.To keep me busy my parents would sit me down and let me look at pictures.

How do you get the word out that you are in the Industrial Park?
Most of our business is done by word-of-mouth.The majority of our clientele is from Lafayette and Orinda. We also do a lot of networking with vendors who are in similar businesses, for example, make-up artists, and hairdressers.

What are the benefits of your Industrial Park location?
For me it’s a very creative environment. I like the fact that it’s not a perfect building. I love the fact that I am surrounded by a lot of other artists because I consider photography an art form. I enjoy the creative mojo that happens with artists collaborating and being together in a common location. For example, Open Studios gives us the chance to go and meet with the other artists who are here and gives us a chance to find out what they are doing.

Anything you would like to share with your Benicia neighbors?
For the person who is looking for a beautiful once in a life-time memorable portrait for themselves or a loved one, for their children or their families, and they want something very unique - then we are the place to go. Now if they want J.C. Penney look then that is not us. If they want something that is very, very special and a fine art piece, I encourage them to come and see what we do because we do things very differently.  

I also teach educational programs to people who are aspiring to become photographers or who want to become better at their hobby of photography. These are very small groups, around ten students.  I have a boudoir photography class coming up here on October 14th and 15th. The students will learn concepts in photography, light, and posing. They’ll have models to work with so they can practice those concepts. This would be great for somebody who really loves photography. They get to practice their craft. 

This article is part of an ongoing series on businesses located in the Industrial Park. Cantrell Portrait Design is located in the same building as  and Plaza Florist.