Member Snapshot: McKay Imaging Photography

By Brian Laurito

In this series we're highlighting the businesses that form the foundation of Monmouth Arts' creative community, touching base to see how they're faring during the COVID-19 health crisis. McKay Imaging Photography, one of our longest running business members, is located right down the street from us in Red Bank. We "sat down" with owners Robert and Elisabeth McKay to see how they've been dealing with life during the pandemic.

For those who don't know you yet, how would you describe your business?

McKay Imaging is a husband and wife photography team operating out of Red Bank since 1995. We like to say that we specialize in diversity because we do so many different things in the photography field. Our “specialties” include Weddings, Portraiture, Architectural photography, Product Photography, Fashion, Editorial and Fine Art photography. We also photograph artworks for artists and print large-format reproductions as well. Liz’s photoshop skills are strong, and so we have been known to also take on photo restoration projects where there was significant damage to the original photos. In short, anything photo related is in our repertoire. If you want to check us out, our website shows a vast array of our work. Please call us with any photo project that you may have, no matter how simple or how challenging.

Featured: A self portrait of Robert and Elisabeth McKay

What’s been your biggest business challenge during COVID-19?

The loss of our wedding work in 2020 has presented the biggest business challenge that we’ve ever faced. That said, most people have postponed and we look forward to helping them capture amazing memories in the years to come. Luckily, our corporate and portrait work have remained strong, and we look forward to many more years as a vibrant member of the Red Bank business community.

So much has changed since last year.... How are you operating right now?

Our studio is open but is by appointment only. Liz and I mostly work at home. Most consultations are done by phone or by video chat, but we are always happy to come into the studio for a photo shoot or a consultation. Just call to make an appointment!

Can you share an interesting anecdote about your business or something that might surprise people?

Liz and I are almost always together. We live together, work together and are a one car family. We've been married for almost 22 years but have worked together for almost 26! We're still going strong and look forward to each and every day together.

What are you looking forward to in 2021?

We are looking forward to seeing our friends, family and clients again—especially without masks! We are excited to attend parties, arts events and live music and are looking forward to handshakes, hugs and big smiles!

Monmouth Arts has a great network of arts supporters. How can our members and readers support your business right now?

We like to say that everyone needs photography at some point in their lives or knows someone who does. Maybe you’re starting a new job and need a head shot, maybe you’ve been creating art and you need photos of it, or maybe you have some old photos in an album that you would like repaired or reproduced for family or friends. You might be an interior designer or an architect who has been meaning to photograph the projects that you're most proud of or maybe you’ve just been putting off shooting that family portrait for way too long. Whatever the case may be, everyone has a photography project that they’d like to address at some point. Please give us a call to discuss your project or ideas at your earliest convenience, even if your idea is just to give a gift certificate to someone else who would love to have some photography done.

Do you have any upcoming events or promotions you’d like people to know about?

February is, as always, a month for love! Not sure what to give a loved one for Valentine’s day? How about the gift of a portrait session? Our gift certificates are always available. Just call us at 732-842-2272 or email info@mckayimaging.com for more information.