In the heart of our community, my family's studio, Phil Hyman Portraits, has been capturing life's most precious moments for over half a century. This business, started by my dad 52 years ago, has evolved into more than just a place to take photos—it's become a symbol of passion, dedication, and the enduring bonds of family. At the forefront of this legacy are my partner, Becky, and I, navigating both our marriage and the business in a seamless blend of personal and professional life.

The Beginning and First Challenges

Bringing Becky into the family business marked the beginning of a new chapter. It was a blend of the old and the new, where her fresh ideas met the traditions that my father had instilled in the studio. We faced our fair share of challenges, from integrating Becky’s innovative approaches without losing the studio's core essence, to finding the right balance between respecting the past and embracing the future.

Work-Life Balance

One of the greatest challenges we've encountered is maintaining a healthy balance between work and our personal life. In a family business like ours, the boundaries between the two can blur. For Becky and me, it has been crucial to find harmony in our roles, both at the studio and at home. We've managed this by setting clear boundaries, making time to focus on our relationship outside of work, and aligning on our shared vision—not just for the business, but for our life together.

Conversations Matter

At the heart of our partnership, both in marriage and in business, lies a commitment to open, honest communication. Conversations are the bedrock on which we've built our strategies, resolved conflicts, and made pivotal decisions. Discussing everything from daily operations to long-term planning, and how to handle the intricacies of working with family, our ability to communicate has been key to our success. These conversations have allowed us to not only continue my father’s legacy but also breathe new life into it, ensuring the studio remains a beloved part of our community.

Our journey with Phil Hyman Portraits is a personal testament to how couples can collaborate to create something truly remarkable. It underscores the importance of embracing change while honoring tradition, finding balance between professional and personal life, and the critical role that communication plays in any partnership. As we move forward, Becky and I are not just preserving the legacy my father started but are also building our own, ensuring that this family business remains a treasured institution for generations to come.