Thomas’ Photographic Services, a photography studio and shop specializing in portraits and photo restoration, has been in Homewood for more than a decade at 18705 Dixie Highway in the Southgate shopping district. Early next year, the business is moving to a new location–across the street.
The studio’s lease expires in March and the couple was able to find a new space at 18676 Dixie Highway, next to Pete’s Auto, that will almost double their space. According to Angela Thomas, who owns Thomas’ Photographic with her husband, Colin Thomas, the new location also will give them more room for scanning and photo restoration, about 30% of their business, allowing for faster turnaround times for that service.
Thomas’ Photographic takes portrait photographs for customers both inside the studio and at outdoor locations around the Homewood-Flossmoor area. Their work decorates the walls inside the business, everything from family Christmas photos, other family portraits and photos of fall celebrations, weddings, couples, pets, children and babies. They offer holiday cards, collages, canvasses and metal and acrylic prints of the photos, but they don’t offer framing.
“We are always telling our customers that there are two great frame shops in Homewood. There’s the Art Corner which is right next store to us. There’s also the Great Frame Up which is also a fantastic store,” Thomas said.
Thomas said they “try to really capture” their customers’ individuality when taking pictures.
“When you come to us, your session is for an hour. We can do a variety of different poses,” Thomas said. “We’re not about ‘Let’s just get that cheese face and be done.’”
The couple studied at Harrington College of Design in Chicago and were trained as commercial photographers. Before opening Thomas’ Photographic, they took photos at businesses for businesses, so they didn’t need a studio, she said. However, after the Great Recession began in the late 2000s, businesses weren’t hiring as many photographers so they turned their attention to family portraits, head shots and photo restoration, Thomas said.
Thomas is glad that the new location will still be in Homewood. She said she likes being able to point out for customers where they’ll be moving to in mid-January.
“My husband is fifth generation from Homewood. My daughter is sixth generation from Homewood. So, we have really strong ties here,” Thomas said. “My daughter goes to Willow School. We walk to work, and we try to be in our community.”
Thomas’ Photographic can be reached at 708-960-4265 or at thomasphotographicservices.com.