Chesapeake Photographer
Spotlight On...Jessica Riehl Photography
Thu, 2009-04-02 03:00 | by theadoddsA conversation with Chesapeake Photographer, Jessica Riehl of Jessica Riehl Photography.
GP: How green is your business - what green business practices do you embrace?
JR: I feel my business is getting greener everyday and feel I am half way to getting where I want to be with in my current means. I do many of the items on GP's list, but the two that have had the most impact recently are deciding to pay for additional recycling services and thinking through my decisions and actions. The one practice that we can all start using today is the one that has the least environmental impact...thinking. We can use our noggins to make smart decisions that will impact every facet of our business and lives. Greening your business is a journey, not a destination and every day that we make a better choice than yesterday is excellent progress.
GP: How green are your products - what green products/components do you offer?
JR: I offer images and album prints from ProDpi. I am currently working on a green starter kit for my clients and a green resource guide for our area for my clients. I am working towards utilizing packaging that is 100% recycled or reusable. All my studio materials are printed on recycled paper and I don't offer products which have a short life span. My next step will be to offer a environmentally friendly album.
GP: Why did you choose to offer green products and implement green business practices?
JR: I grew up in a small town where everyone depended on each other to get the job done. Whether it was mowing someone's yard, taking photographs for friends or volunteering for the fair. When I stopped and looked at how much my hometown depended on the generosity of others and their commitment to a better community, I wanted that same for my business. I have a great desire to be a socially responsible business and for Jessica Riehl Photography to have value far beyond just a photography studio. As an environmental science major, I knew where I wanted to focus my time and energy. The more I read about the status of our planet, the more I want to do something to help my little corner of the world.
GP: How has offering green products and implementing green business practices affected your company?
JR: The journey to become a more sustainable business has forced me to think about every action I take and product I offer. My decisions are no longer influenced by instant gratification, trendiness, or cost, but by how does this product or action follow my core mission. As a business owner, thinking and acting green is just plain good for business. It has added a whole new dimension to my business and I have had increased job satisfaction.
GP: What are your hopes for a greener photographic industry?
JR: I truly hope that the suppliers of photography products see the value and need for greening their businesses. It is not enough just to offer one or two products that are environmentally friendly, but to take a look at the whole continuum from product sourcing to disposal of the product.
GP: What is your favorite eco website or eco-product that we may not have heard of?
JR: My latest favorite is the book Greening Your Business by Daniel Sitarz. It's the bible on every aspect of greening your business. Every business owner who would like to lessen their impact on the planet should own this book.
Thanks so much to Jessica Riehl for taking the time to answer our questions! If you have an idea for a Spotlight feature or interview, let us know!
