Imagine Fine Art Printing is a boutique print studio that specializes in artwork capture, artwork reproduction, photographic printing and all different types of high-end digital printing. I met with Kelly to learn more about how he got into this type of work and what Imagine Fine Art Printing does for the local artists.
How did you get involved in taking over here?
I’ve only recently gotten involved here. I am a freelance photographer and used Imagine Fine Art Printing as my printer. Tom opened this business about seven years ago and it’s been a great resource for the artists in the community. I knew Tom had to relocate so I asked him for the specs on his business so I could pitch it to other artists. I was trying to figure out how I was going to find a printer that I can work with, with the same kind of rapport I had with Tom. In that conversation, he approached me about helping him run the business in St. Augustine with him consulting and helping with the transition.
What inspired you to take this on?
It's necessary for the local artists in this community. It's one of the reasons I love this business. We work with lots of local regional artists that rely on this shop to produce inventory for them to make a living off of. It’s a service that provides a quality that you wouldn’t typically find in a regional market like St. Augustine. Most artists are happily surprised when they see the type of printing services we offer and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
What type of photographs do you take for your personal work?
I really love southeast centered photography. I’m not a landscape photographer, I call it roadside vernacular. It’s a sort of time and a place or an atmosphere. Unfortunately, I haven’t been out to do personal photos in a while. When I do, I usually have a project in mind, a theme, motif or idea. I’ve always been interested in the space between photojournalism and fine art photography, so it is sort of non-fiction and narrative based, but not super conceptual.
Do you do Commercial Photography?
Yes, I used to travel a lot for work with production companies. Now, I try to do 1 to 2 days a week, but I’m trying to focus more on my personal work.
Where are you from?
I’m from here, I grew up on Vilano. After I graduated from Flagler I moved abroad to teach English in East Asia. I lived there for six years and did a lot of traveling during that time.
Have you seen a lot of changes in St. Augustine?
I’ve been excited to see St. Augustine become more metropolitan in the past years. A lot of people I’ve come of age with have been at the forefront; starting great businesses like The Floridian, Ice Plant, and Yield Design. They have made St. Augustine a better place for not only tourists but also locals.
St. Augustine has an eclecticism that appeals to people, that along with the community of artists and creative types allows businesses like this to survive here.
What do you like to do when you have time off?
I’ve always been an avid surfer. That is probably the most challenging thing for me now that I am running the print shop. Having to be at the same place and time every day and not being at the beckon call of the wind and the tide is difficult. As a freelancer, I could always find an ideal time to be in the water. Now, I need to find the time for it.
Where is your favorite place to surf?
All the beaches are great at times, but I would probably say Vilano because I grew up there. The sandbars are prone to shift here so sometimes a certain spot will be really good for a season, then that changes and another spot become the better one for a time.
Even though I don’t have the flexibility in my schedule I once had, I do make a point of getting into the ocean at least once a week. The ocean is a giant part of my life…it roots me.
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