Selfie snaps
A new selfie portrait studio is opening in Charlottetown
New Charlottetown business takes from the hot trend of ‘selfie’ photos on cellphones to giving Islanders sessions for portraits.
A new professional photo studio is opening in Charlottetown, but the person pushing the shutter button will be inside the frame.
Taka Selfie is a studio that allows people to take high-quality selfies (a self-portrait photograph), with a professional camera and lighting.
The client chooses from more than 30 backgrounds and snaps away using a hand-held remote.
The studio also provides costumes, hats, glasses, wigs and stuffed animals as props and a makeup artist, should a person wish to have one.
The studio is set to open its doors on Kensington Road any day now, said owner Xidong (Frank) Fu.
Originally from China,Fu moved to Prince Edward Island through the provincial nominee program two years ago. Fu said he decided to open a selfie studio to mix business with pleasure, as he has always enjoyed taking photos and has a background with the Internet.
Fu says Islanders often take pictures the traditional way, with photographers in small studios, which he says are very expensive. Instead of charging per photo, Fu charges by the hour and a person can take as many photos as they like during the time they paid for. A one-hour session costs about $60.
He also noticed Islanders tend to share photos in traditional ways through photo albums or in frames.
“I think there is a lot of room to move forward,” he said.
Fu says he is offering a modern way to share photos with friends through an online photo book.
“I can bring a brand new way for people to share their pictures,” he said. “Here, you have a lot of choice to further share your pictures.”
Fu’s website allows clients to tell their story through a photo gallery with background music or a recording of their own voice and send the link to friends and family.
“It’s a brand new way, good way, better way to share pictures,” he said.
People also have the option to share their photos from their selfie sessions in more traditional ways, like through a photo album, car plate or T-shirt, he said.
These services are not included in the selfie session and cost extra.
For those looking to have a professional photographer take their photos, Fu provides that service, too, with second-year Holland College photography student, Kayla Butler.
Fu plans to have the business open seven days a week and encourages people to stop by and check out the studio.