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| Featured Photographer - August 2011 |
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AsukaBook is proud of its customers and the different ways that they use AsukaBook products. Each month, we will be talking to one of our active customers and finding out what they love about AsukaBook and how they use our books to help grow their business. Check the 'Book of the Month' page each month as well!
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Andy Eeley, Reilly Studios
“ The customer service is fantastic. AsukaBook have great quality control,
so every time I get a book back, I know it's going to be spot on.”
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The life of Reilly
Reilly Studios think big. They have big premises, a big team and big plans for the future.
Proprietor John Reilly and studio manager Kerry Edge are the brains behind the Hinckley-based outfit, but they're certainly not on their own. A group of designers, an office manager and no fewer than six photographers help keep the business ahead of the rest on the High Street.
In recent months, Reilly Studios has turned to AsukaBook to embellish the range of products they offer to their customers. And they are already seeing the benefit.
We spoke to studio manager Kerry Edge and design, print and production manager Andy Eeley to find out more about this flourishing business and how AsukaBook has fitted in.
   
AsukaBook: Tell us about Reilly Studios and the services you offer.
Kerry Edge: We're based in an old Wesleyan chapel and within that we're currently operating two studios. There's our Fresh Suite which is for makeovers, then we have a family area which is a big white room. We've got the option to open a third studio that we use for children and mums to be who want more privacy. We also do weddings and event photography.
On top of all that, we carry out work as part of the nationwide Click Group. With 120 members across the UK, they fulfil about 80 per cent of Gift Experience vouchers. Buy a photo shoot experience from WH Smiths, Virgin or other outlets within the Midlands area and the chances are you'll be coming to us to have the pictures taken.
You really play on the experience element to your photo shoots; is this a deliberate marketing ploy?
Kerry Edge: It is. We're in the digital age where people can go out and buy a camera that produces high quality images. That means we need to build on the whole photo shoot experience. It's more like a pamper session for a woman coming for a makeover session. While families come along for a chance to spend some time with each other and concentrate on their relationships. The photography is almost secondary.
How do you deliver the Reilly experience?
Kerry Edge: Initially, we'll have a consultation with clients to find out what they want. Then we create a bespoke session for them. It's the way portrait photography is going in the High Street. If you look how the US are doing things it's very much based around the same model.
Do you take a lot of ideas from US studios?
Andy Eeley: We're currently overhauling our online presence and have spent a great deal of time looking at US websites. Not only in terms of design, but also at the services they're offering. They use different photographic styles and innovative ways to produce and edit prints. As a result, we've started to use digital montages to help get us noticed and make people stop and look at what we do.
You started using AsukaBooks in May. Why and which products do you use?
Andy Eeley: The quality and price appealed! We use a specific selection of books; primarily the 8x11 and 7x7 Book Bound Soft Cover books, but also the 12x12 Zen Layflat Hard Cover for clients who want a bigger finished product. It's mainly our makeover clients who like them. The photos typically have a fashion shoot feel, so when they get a magazine-style book as a result, it fits in well.
How do you put the books together?
Andy Eeley: We create an individual look for each client. For those that want a simple layout, I use the AsukaBook Maker software with pre-designed templates - it's quick and really simple to use. Most of the time, though, clients want something more personal. To do this, I initially create the layout in Photoshop, then drop it into AsukaBook Maker to make sure it all fits.
Any other reasons to recommend us?
Andy Eeley: The customer service is fantastic, I can't fault it. AsukaBook have great quality control. If there's ever an issue with something I've done, they contact me and sort the problem out immediately. That means that every time I get a book back I know it's going to be spot on.
   
www.reillystudios.co.uk
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