Lisa Crayford

Wisconsin Professional Photographers School @Treehaven

May 5 – 8, 2009

Born and raised on a hog farm in Hutchinson Mn, I got my first camera at the age of 12. My dog Mittsie was my most popular model and so was my older brother. I attended a media tech class in 11th grade and got myself a little bit nicer camera. In 1992 I attended the Willmar Vo-Tech college and spent two years learning all about professional photography. In 1993 I took a week long class at Winona, PPA's school located in Mount Prospect, IL and studied under David Merkle and Sarah Johnston. During that week I learned a lot about pet photography. Later I interned for Sarah at her studio in Crystal Lake, IL for three weeks. From June of 1994 to March of 1999 I worked for a high volume studio in St. Cloud, MN. On April 1st, 1999 I opened Country Gallery Photography Studio, in a city without a zip code. We now have a
beautifully landscaped 10 acre studio. Our outdoor sets consist of a chicken coop, an early 1900's caboose, gas pump and old road sign set, pond, docks, waterfalls, streams, swings, hammocks, fences, 2 old trucks, an old '73 bug, flower gardens, fields of wildflowers and blackeyed susans. In our 6000 sq ft studio we have a 1500 sq ft camera room, spacious production room, presentation room, framing room, wedding consultation area, a lounge and some dressing rooms. We keep busy all year long by sending out lots of direct mail and word of mouth from our happy clients. I have a staff of 6-10 people, depending on the time of year. In my spare time I enjoy travel and photography, who would have thought! I have 2 little girls, I'm happily married and I like investing in stocks, scrapbooking, baking, going for walks and occasionally sky diving.