Sayles Studio is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Oct. 10, 2010, an opportunity for owner Beth Sayles to clean out several decades worth of photos and negatives.
“I have run out of storage space and prefer to put these heirlooms in the hands of the families rather then throw them away,” Sayles said.
She plans to eliminate senior portrait files of graduation years 1998 thru 2005; family, children and restoration files, 1997-2005; and wedding files from the 1970s.
A $10 donation each will support the Suicide Prevention Foundation in the name of her daughter, Kathleen Margaret.
Beth photographed about 6,000 high school seniors, 3,000 families, 4,000 children, and 200 weddings in her 37 year career.
“Multiple generations of families have trusted us to portray all the milestone moments in the lives of their loved ones,” she said.
The studio was founded by Beth’s parents Alice and Harold (Red) Sayles in 1950. A graduate from Waterford Kettering, apprenticed under her mother for 12 years.
“I remember my first job here in the studio was loading and unloading the print dryer,” she said. “Every print was made from black and white negatives in those days. When I was responsible enough to handle it, I was given the job of cutting wallets for the senior orders and tying their school color ribbons around them.”
Light refreshments will be served at the Open house, Sunday, Oct. 10, 12-3 p.m. at Sayles Studio, 4431 Dixie Highway in Waterford. Visitors will be able to enter to win a $600 grand prize portrait package. Call 248-674-0413.