黑料福利社

Editor鈥檚 note: Take 5 is a meetup with a local business owner or entrepreneur.

YAKIMA, Wash. -- For a decade, Tavis and Amy Guild have been helping people preserve family memories through photography.

Tavis, 32, and Amy, 31, own Memory Montage Photography, specializing in wedding photography and family portraits. Two years ago, they started Guild Canvas Co., turning photographers鈥� work into canvas art prints.

Between the two companies, the Guilds employ 10 people.

Tavis Guild has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in information technology and administrative management from Central Washington University. The Guilds have two children, Lincoln, 3, and Jovie, 1.

How did you get into the photography business and canvas print business?

My wife, Amy, started the photography company 10 years ago and I quickly jumped on board to help her. We saw a need in the portrait industry to tell the stories of weddings and the different seasons that families experience. By creating portraits for them, when they walk by in years to come, they will be reminded of that time in life.

After Ken Whitmire鈥檚 passing, we transitioned into the canvas company he created nearly 50 years ago. Now called Guild Canvas Co., our goal is to continue the original canvassing method and make sure this unmatched method of canvassing is always available for professional photographers around the world.

How do you market yourself in an age when everyone has a digital camera?

As portrait artists, we create timeless pieces of furniture (canvases) for generations to enjoy and be reminded of the rich heritage they have come from. There will always be a difference between an artist creating portraits and a photographer taking pictures. As artists we create portraits.

If you had to do it over again, would you do anything differently in setting up your business?

Absolutely not. We are blessed to be where we are today, and all the decisions we made in the past contribute to where we are currently.

What is the strangest request you have ever had?

Once upon a time, we had a client who was obsessed with teddy bears. At first, we were unsure how far this obsession had gone. They were a very sweet and kind couple, and we were requested to photograph their wedding. At this wedding we experienced custom-made teddy bear decorations, as well as a one-of-a-kind handmade teddy bear wedding dress, in addition to photographing teddy bear tattoos. This is one of those weddings I will always remember.

Do you get asked to take pictures at family events and gatherings?

Yes, but not every time. When they do ask, we鈥檙e happy to do it.

• If you are a business owner who would like to be featured in Take 5, contact Donald W. Meyers at 509-577-7748 or dmeyers@yakimaherald.com. Follow him on Twitter at .