As Jamie Schoenberger entered Epic Photography’s recently relocated studio with a two-year-old in tow, her husband Andrew immediately got up from editing photos, picked up their daughter Siena and wrapped her in a bear hug. Giggles erupted from the little girl and the moment was picture-perfect. With two daughters and a baby on the way, the Schoenbergers are busy being both parents and photographers.
A native of Lebanon, Pa., Jamie is a graduate of Cedar Crest High School and Penn State University. After working in photo labs and with National Geographic in Washington D.C., Jamie said she had difficulty finding a job after the Sept. 11 events so she returned to the area and founded Epic Photography in February 2002.
“After meeting Andy in 2005, we decided we needed to do it [photography] full time,” Jamie said. The two became both business partners and life partners and had their first daughter in 2007. Jamie explained that she studied advertising and photography while at Penn State, ultimately leading her to form her business. Andrew disagreed and interrupted her. “That isn’t how it started,” he said. “It was with field hockey!”
Jamie smiled, keeping an eye on Siena, who was playing with a stack of business cards, and then explained that her interest in photography stemmed from a bad experience in high school. “I was going out for field hockey and couldn’t stand it,” she said. “My grandmother, who was always an avid and passionate photographer, encouraged me to try something different and bought me my first camera.” Jamie said that she always had an interest in photography.
After partnering with Andrew, who also attended Penn State for marketing, the two worked out of their home. Despite building an addition on their house, having two children made it difficult to separate the studio from their home. After 10 years of being in business, Epic Photography moved into a new studio in downtown Elizabethtown this past April. “We are definitely seeing a bigger separation of work and home now,” Jamie said. The studio is now on the first floor of a historic building where Conewago Coffee House used to be located on Market Street.
According to an article in Local Marketplace, the Schoenbergers have plans to turn the space into a boutique-style studio where clients and customers can purchase keepsakes and photo accessories in the future. The space is also needed for the business’s growing clientele.
Andrew said that although they do not specialize in a specific style of photography, they shoot mostly children, newborns, high school seniors and upscale weddings. Epic Photography does not charge by the hour, but rather customizes their sessions according to what the client is looking for. “We spend time with them,” Andrew said. “We’ll spend two hours to get it if that’s how long it takes.”
In fact, tailoring their work to clients’ interests and desires is one of the main goals and sources of pride for Epic Photography. Jamie and Andrew work with clients wherever they want to be; 90 percent of their shoots are outside. “The kids love it outside,” Andrew said. The natural environment and lighting also make shooting outside a good option.
According to Local Marketplace, together the Schoenbergers have shot over 300 weddings and also done photography for businesses, as well as commercial photography for marketing and imaging purposes, and image restoration. Most recently, Andrew photographed Hersheypark’s new Sky Rush rollercoaster while riding it.
Jamie and Andrew are also very involved in the community and work to give back. They photographed a fundraising event in support of autism awareness, which Jamie said was very inspiring. In addition, Andrew is involved in development for Market Street! Improving Business (MSIB), an organization that aims to revitalize Elizabethtown’s downtown area, according to Local Marketplace.
Aside from their photography, the Schoenbergers have also founded an organization called Siena’s HUGS. Named after their two-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with a genetic disorder known as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), the non-profit organization aims to raise awareness not only for PWS, but also other genetic disorders. They also hope to gain support for other families in similar situations.
Meanwhile, the Schoenbergers continue to get comfortable in their new studio, while also preparing for their third daughter, who is due in three weeks. “Is it that soon already?” Andrew said to Jamie, smiling.
To schedule a session with Epic Photography or learn more about their business, visit www.EpicPhotoStudio.com, search for them on Facebook or call 717-344-0571. To learn more about Siena’s HUGS, visit www.youcanhug.com.
