Today we’d like to introduce you to Al Pereira.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Al. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story starts in the early 80’s. I bought my first camera at the age of 20. About a week later I was driving in Malden, Massachusetts, and came across a fire and shot a few photos. A friend suggested I take them to the local newspaper. They published a photo and that was the start of my career as a professional photographer.
As time went on I worked as a stringer for UPI, covering everything from spot news, events at the State House, several Governor races, and local town politics. I covered President George H. W. Bush on a visit to Boston. I covered sport teams from the four major Boston teams (Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins), NCAA “Sweet 16”, area college and high school games.
While stringing for UPI, I was sent to Lawrence (WHAT YEAR?) during rioting in the city and got photos of police making arrests. The next day I happened to interview at the Lawrence Eagle Tribune. The editor flipped through my portfolio and noticed my work from the previous evening’s riot arrests. He asked if the newspaper could use the photos and offered me a job.
I worked at the Eagle Tribune until 1991 and opened Advanced Photo the following year. It’s been 25 wonderful years and we’re still growing and changing to meet customers’ needs.
It’s been a lot of hard work, long days, nights and weekends, often seven days a week. We’re more than just a photo store–we offer perfect prints, enlargements, photo retouching and repair, portraits, weddings, portraits (even of pets), real estate and business photography, and always, exceptional customer service. I’m proud to hear my customers call me “One Hour Al”.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In our 25 years, Advanced Photo has moved three times but stayed in the same general area. Each move helped us grow a little more. I always said that good customer service, knowledge of photography, and being the community’s go-to photo store keeps us at the top of the market.
Advanced Photo – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What don’t we do?? We specialize in offering our customers what other photo stores don’t–like printing 35 MM negatives, 2 1/4 process and printing, scanning slides and art work of any size, to family photo sessions. What sets us apart is that I’ll never say “I can’t do it.” My customers tell others about their great experience and I’m proud of the reputation I’ve developed through the years
When I opened Advanced Photo, I had no idea what I was up against. It was “learn as you go”. A year after I opened, a customer came in and told me he’d made a bet with someone that I would make it a year in business. I’m proud that I never gave up.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
That I did it without having a business back ground and grew my dream into something I’m really proud of. Advanced Photo is 25 and still growing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 135 Main St., North Readin,g MA 01864
- Website: www.aponr.com
- Phone: 978-664-5272
- Email: al@aponr.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advancedphotoNR/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/advancedphotonr
Image Credit:
All photos by Al Pereira
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