Around the Chamber-January, 2023

New Member Closeup

Photography

In a nutshell, what is ECP?

ECP is my photography company, consisting of me, the primary photographer, my main assistant, Cathy (who is also my sister), and a small team of second assistants. I am an architectural, interior, food and lifestyle photographer, specializing in the hospitality industry. I have photographed over 250 properties in the past fifteen years. I provide service nationwide, but a nice number of my clients are here in New England, and specifically Vermont! Basin Harbor Club, The Woodstock Inn and Resort, The Equinox, The Omni Mt. Washington, and the Bar Harbor Inn are some examples of the larger resort type properties I work with, and The Deer Brook Inn, The West Hill House, and The Chadwick Inn are examples of smaller properties. Locally, I’ve worked with the Swift House, The Middlebury Inn, the (former) Inn on the Green, Robert Frost Mountain Cabins, Lake Bomoseen Lodge and Taproom, and the Middlebury Snowbowl.

My grandfather and father were serious shutterbugs and I learned a lot from them growing up.After studying art and architectural history in college (College of Wooster) and grad school (UMass Amherst), I attended a year-long photography program at the Hallmark School of Photography, then worked in the photo studios of the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After pursuing a fine art/gallery direction for a while (my work was in the original Frog Hollow Galleries in the early 2000’s!), I decided to change course and explore architectural and interior photography, targeting the hospitality industry. I started attending lodging association conferences and began to build my client base. Hospitality is a relatively small industry, and I offer a very specialized service, so my business has grown mainly through client referrals, networking and speaking engagements at many of the conferences.

Elizabeth Campbell

is owned by Beth Campbell, who moved to Middlebury with her family in October, 2020.

How did ECP come about and get to where it is now?

BETH CAMPBELL

The Bar Harbor Inn, Bar Harbor Maine. Photo by Beth Campbell

New Member Closeup

What’s your favorite thing to photograph?

My favorite thing to shoot is probably food. I love working with a chef who has created a beautiful plate, finding the right angle, deciding how to light it, and what accessories will work (napkins, side dishes, silverware, etc.). It’s fun to collaborate with someone who cares about the details and perfection of the dish and the shot as much as I do! I also really like creating a still life scene with multiple elements, such as a charcuterie board with all of the fixings, a bottle of wine, poured glasses, candles, flowers, a stack of plates, etc Photographing a big, beautiful dining room or lobby is always fun and challenging I also really enjoy taking lifestyle and activity shots!

Tell us about your family and life in Middlebury.

My husband Steve, our 8th grade son and I relocated to Middlebury from upstate New York in the fall of 2020, built a house and moved into our new home May 2022. We are thoroughly enjoying the quality of life here, being near family, and the inclusive, welcoming nature of this community. We have jumped right in and I am a member of the Congregational church and the

we all ski, hike, bike, and play tennis.

What are your hopes for your business in this community?

Most of my work involves traveling to lodging properties, however I would love to start building relationships and working with local businesses such as restaurants, retail, and commercial spaces. I hope to start working with architects, designers, builders and realtors as well. Food and product photography are a specialty of mine that I feel will appeal to local businesses.

Porter Hospital Auxiliary Board, Steve plays hockey, and

Beth Campbell at a photo shoot for the Woodstock Inn & Resort (Woodstock VT),

New Member Closeup

What is the best part of your job?

So many things! The opportunity to travel to so many wonderful places is probably the best part. It never gets old and my sister and I always love a road trip. We try to make time on either end of the shoot to explore and enjoy the area. I often return to properties many times as they refresh, renovate, and rebrand. I get to know my clients well and develop long term professional and personal relationships with them, which is great. One of my favorite parts of the job is the client’s reaction when they first see the image I’m working on. I use a system called Cam-Ranger and it allows me to work “live” on my iPad and showing that first shot to the client that way is always fun.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Probably helping people understand the benefits of and returns on investing in professional photography. That, and being away from home week after week during my busy season. I usually miss my son’s birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and our anniversary!

What are the plans for the future of ECP?

While I love almost everything about my work now, I would like to bring in more product and food photography work that I could create in my own studio. I hope to work on a cookbook soon! I think it would also be good for me to get back to creating fine art again which would provide a nice balance between my commercial and creative work.

Captain Nickels Inn in Searsport, ME Photo by Beth Campbell Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, VT Photo by Beth Campbell

Meet the Board

Every

month "Around the Chamber" will introduce our readers to a member of the Addison County

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

In this issue, we introduce you to ACCOC Board Member Nancy Foster

How long have you lived and/or worked in Addison County?

I was very fortunate that my parents were the ones who made the decision to move to Middlebury from a small town in northern Vermont. I was in school when our family moved here in 1960. I am a graduate of Middlebury Union high School. I met my husband while in high school. His family has been in Middlebury for many generations. We both went to UVM and stayed in Burlington long enough to get a Master's Degree from UVM. After a short stint in the Army, we needed to make a decision where we were going to live. With both our families in Middlebury, and Robert wanting to join his family farm, it was easy to decide that this is where we wanted to live. It has been a good decision!

Tell us about your career?

I have been a Real Estate Broker for over 40 years. A friend of mine, Bill Beck, was starting a Real Estate company in Middlebury, and he talked me into working with him. I enjoyed it !.

I was part time when our children were young, but gradually increased to full time. I have owned my own business for over 25 years (the first 20 with a business partner). I really like being a small business owner.

How

long have you volunteered with the Chamber’s Board?

I have been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. I believe in supporting organizations that support our community, and that is something that the Addison County Chamber has always done. I like that they support events that help local business owners. This area is a wonderful place to live and to work, to raise a family, and to grow old in.

In 2023, what do you see as the most challenging issue(s) facing business in Addison County?

I am pleased that the Chamber has moved its office to a place where we can have a very nice Welcome Center. I think Addison County has needed a Welcome Center and this will be a great addition to the benefits the Chamber provides. I am also pleased that it is located at a train stop. I love riding on trains and wish our country had more opportunities for commuting and for vacationing on trains. The Chamber has greatly expanded its on-line presence and that is also something that is very important.

Nancy Foster

Behind the Scenes with

Helena Van

Voorst

Each month, "Behind the Scenes" features an interview with a leader in our community designed to provide readers a glimpse into his/her interests and passions inside and outside of the workplace

This month, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Helena Van Voorst, Executive Director of United Way of Addison County.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Ferrisburgh, but moved to the big city (Vergennes) with my husband in 2005 after living in Iowa for 6 years.

Where did you go to college?

I received my BA in Communication with emphasis in Public Relations & Human Resources from Dordt University. I received my MA in Communication & Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.

First ever job?

My first job was working for my parents who owned Skyview Motel in Ferrisburgh. I cleaned rooms, folded laundry, took reservations over the phone, and checked customers in. I was trained from a very young age to make sure lampshade seams always face the wall.

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

Undoubtedly, my parents My dad immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island from the Netherlands with his family in 1958. My mom moved here from Sweden in 1966, planning to stay with relatives in Bristol for 1 year (that plan changed when she met my dad at Kennedy Brothers in Vergennes!) They both started new lives in a new country in their teenage years which I always found to be both brave and inspirational.

Favorite vacation spot?

My family’s camp on Shadow Lake in Glover. Cell phone service is spotty, there’s no WiFi, and the only agenda every day = lakeside time with my family.

Helena Van Voorst

Behind the Scenes with

Helena Van Voorst

Who do you most admire?

My children, Isabelle (13) and Hendrik (10). They teach me something new every day. Sometimes that thing is what’s not cool anymore (the word “sus” was out before I knew it was in!), but more often than not it’s something more profound (like how to extend forgiveness or set healthy boundaries)

Favorite TV Show/Movie?

My friends and colleagues know that I seldom watch movies (this is something I am frequently chastised for because

I don’t catch/understand movie quotes when used in conversation) However, I just watched “A Man Called Otto” and really enjoyed it. (And by “enjoyed it,” I mean I cried 5 times I read the book first and knew what was coming, but the storyline still got me!)

Typical work week?

My typical work week is filled with meetings with community partners, UWAC ‘s funded partners, donors, grant officers, etc. Prepandemic, I was in and out of the office for in-person meetings every day These days, however, most of my meetings are on Zoom/Teams so I spend a lot more time physically in the office and/or in my home

Favorite type of music?

I’m all over the place when it comes to my preferred musical genres I’m going to cheat and answer with my favorite album which is “So Far” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young.

Greatest risk taken in your career?

While it shouldn’t have felt like a risk, going from full time to part time when I had my first born felt like a big one I was completing my Master’s Degree and wasn’t sure how that change would impact my career or my studies. (Issues mothers face in the workforce is a soapbox for another day, but I’d be remiss not to add that I’ve been fortunate to work for very supportive organizations my entire career.)

I would change the perception that, for nonprofits, low overhead = a sole indicator of fiscal responsibility and/or organizational effectiveness Nonprofits need to invest in overhead to a) recruit & retain qualified staff, b) “keep the lights on,” c) advance their impact through improved technology/online platforms/etc and d) respond to increased demand for their services. Nonprofits do life changing (and often life saving) work. As a community, we need our local nonprofits to have qualified staff and the proper resources and, in today’s world, that will likely mean increased overhead costs. I’d like for us all to reframe that as an investment in their mission

What's the one thing you would change about your industry/mission?

CHAMBER Addison County of Commerce

After Hours

NETWORKING MIXERS

December Mixer Sponsored by The Waybury Inn THANK YOU!!