Alicia Henson of Rome is a primary school teacher and an amateur photographer.

How could he do it? I didn’t understand what this move meant for us as a family. My dad, Larry Johnson, had come home from work and announced that he quit his safe, secure, well-paying job in the carpet industry. He wanted to pursue his love of photography and open his own studio. Up to this point, his only models had been family.

Dad had a 35 mm camera, a red background he hung from the living room curtains and a burning desire to learn how to make beautiful photographs. I remember discussions about his decision: “Joyce, I am doing this for the kids,” he said to my mom, “I want them to know they can do anything they want in this life if they try.”

He wanted this to be a lesson for my brother Eric and me! Mom gave him her full support and never wavered in her belief in him. Their love and respect for each other was obvious. She had been a stay-at-home mom all my life and now had to find a job to help pay the bills while my dad worked several part-time jobs. Life was changing quickly for us.

His photography skills had to be refined. Many hours were spent waiting as dad talked with local photographers to learn more about the craft. Picture after picture was made of anyone who would pose for him. He devoured books on the topic. The bathroom of our home became his darkroom for developing his latest masterpiece.

It was at that time that Rome’s first mall, Riverbend was being constructed and tenants were being sought. That was it! That was where he would open a studio and camera store. There was no money to begin this venture. Would it keep his dream from becoming a reality? He began a quest to find others who believed and had enough confidence in him to invest in what he thought he could accomplish. He located three and voila, in 1975, PhotoVision Inc. was launched.

It was amazing to see it all come together. He worked for weeks on the layout of the studio. It would be drawn on graph paper time and time again. Attention was paid to the smallest details. How should the storefront look? How about a darkroom? Could it be constructed so that you could see in from the outside? Where should electrical outlets be placed? Details, details, details! The red carpet was laid, the studio painted, the counter placed, shelves stocked with film, the darkroom built (and yes, you could watch photos being developed from the outside), and employees were hired.

The first few years were a financial struggle. Having a business in the mall meant long hours, but mom and dad worked in symphony from the first day to make it successful. They were hardly ever apart and knew each other’s every move. He was the artist and she the entertainer. What a complement they were to each other. Having a portrait made by them was fun! The minute you walked into the studio, you became part of our family. His perfectionist tendencies assured you would have a quality portrait. Smiles were the responsibility of Mom. She and her frog delighted children in the studio. They all wanted to see the frog jump off Mrs. Joyce’s head. Memories were immortalized of special times…. dances, weddings, seniors, children, births, Santa pictures, and Easter bunnies. With one click of the shutter, time stood still.

The studio offered more than just beautiful photos. Knowledgeable, friendly employees assisted customers with cameras, ordered prints and developed photos. Their joys, problems, and tears were shared by my parents as they were part of the PhotoVision family.

The studio bustled with activity and conversations as people came in just to say hello and chat. Many sought advice from dad on how to compose pictures and photography classes were taught. It was my home away from home and a great lesson on work skills, making change, talking with customers and retouching prints. What a grand place for a teen-age girl to grow up!

After five years, the studio moved to 332 E. Seventh Street where it has remained. The business continued to grow and thrive. The portraits they created together were works of art with the last one being more beautiful than the one before it.

It is now 33 years later. Dad was 33 when he began his business. Mom fell ill and passed away in the fall of 2005. Things haven’t been quite the same since. Dad misses her so. He is closing the studio now, and retiring to pursue new interests.

They touched so many lives with their work. Their patience, love and concern for others were always first. I learned the lesson dad wanted to teach. It wasn’t what he said, but how he lived his life. I applaud my dad’s courage to take us on this awesome adventure, and my mom for supporting that decision and being his business partner and soulmate.

What dedicated fun-loving entrepreneurs, parents and role models!