POUGHKEEPSIE – Al Nowak and Tom Murcko have been at their Poughkeepsie location of On Location Studios for more than twenty years – until the pandemic changed things.
As of Wednesday, August 4th, the physical studio is closed but the business will carry on, according to partner Al Nowak. Clients of the thirty-year photographers will be able to pick-up and drop-off work at the neighboring store to the former studio, The Village Frame Shop. “The pick-up and delivery service at the frame shop is our biggest change and the one most noticeable for our faithful clients,” said Nowak. On the photography side, the location work will see no change at all, for studio work we will be utilizing other spaces in the area.
Asked what brought about the changes to their business model, Nowak laid the blame on the pandemic. “In March every photoshoot we had booked for the year canceled. My partner and I quickly realized that we had to change how we have been doing business.”
The change was an arduous task for the photographers. “We took some time to best solve how to continue business without compromising our quality.” Nowak is optimistic about the success of the changes. “We realized quickly that business, as usual, will not work into this new business environment. In the 30 plus years On Location Studios has been in business we have ridden out many difficult times in recent history. Though this may be the most challenging we are determined to get through this as well.”
Photography was a business that historically did not experience social-distancing issues until the COVID-19 pandemic. Nowak has addressed the new issue and guidelines so that he and his partner can continue. “Making sure everyone is safe and comfortable is another issue. We follow NYS guidelines and also I wear a mask while photographing and try to use a longer lens to make sure distancing is observed while photographing. I’m still getting used to photographing wearing a mask, in combination with wearing glasses can cause my glasses to fog if I’m not careful.” Nowak insists that he is learning to overcome the fogging glasses aspect so it does not interfere with his work product.
On Location provides commercial, event, and portrait photography, along with archival photo printing, large format printing, art reproduction, photo restoration, slide, and negative scanning. The only service they will not be able to offer going forward is passport photos.
