A picture is worth a thousand words and local photographer, Marguerite Laabs seems to have a story for every photo she has taken. For the last 10 years, Laabs has photographed area seniors, families and weddings. This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of “Images by Marguerite.” Laabs first opened in July, 1993. Before opening the business, Laabs had no intention of owning her own studio. “My brother, Don, was on the city council [at the time]. He called me and said, ‘I just looked at your new studio,’” Laabs said. Laabs went to the building on Main Street and thought it was perfect for a photography business. She began to rethink her future and decided the opportunity was too good to pass up. While Laabs is the only photographer, she credits much of the business’ success to her two employees and her family. “My dad helped me remodel the studio and made most of my props,” Laabs said. She said that she has employed four of her nieces and her husband has helped at different events, mostly weddings. “My first customer was senior Tina Kunkel,” Laabs said. Since then, she has come a long way. After seniors have their portraits taken, they are asked to sign the back wall in the studio. The signatures start above a door opening and curve around to two other sections of wall. The spread contains hundreds of signatures. Laabs said it is really fun when other people come in and read the wall. They often provide Laabs with updates on the former students. The perfect pose Laabs said her favorite subjects are children, her own and others. Four black and white photos are displayed as you walk into her studio. One of the most eye-catching is a boy in a black turtleneck seated with his father’s hands on his shoulder. The boy is reaching up and grabbing his father’s finger. “My favorite [pictures] are of children. I think the best is when parents think that the session was a disaster and you caught that image of what the mother wants to see in her child – the sweet angel-like images,” Laabs said. One of Laabs’ favorite pictures was taken while she was shooting a wedding. Laabs was outside taking pictures of the bride. The bride’s young son ran up to his mom and was trying to get her attention. The mother explained to her son that she was busy with photographs. The son replied, “All I wanted was a kiss, mommy.” This comment made the bride, Laabs and the bride’s mother teary-eyed. It was also the perfect moment for a photograph. Bending down with her veil flowing behind her, the sentimental mother leaned over and gave her young son a kiss. The son, dressed in his tux, closed his eyes and reached up for his kiss. Laabs exhibits this image in her studio. “I see photographing a wedding as an honor. I am capturing a moment in this family’s history. When great-great grandchildren look at these pictures, they are looking back on my work.” Laabs said she has really enjoyed working in the small town of Kimball. She said that her work is different everyday, mostly since she is dealing with different people and everyone has a unique personality. Laabs tries to capture these personalities in her work. “If a high school senior comes in with pretty blouses and sweaters, they want something nicer. If a senior comes in in combat boots and fishnet, they want something more unusual.” Laabs accommodates diverse personalities in her studios by providing different backgrounds. From stars and stripes, to a mock porch and flowers in front of her building, there is something for everyone. Reactions make Laabs’ work worth the effort. “Sometimes moms cry [when looking at the photos]. They see something in the image that melts their hearts.” A look behind the camera “My interest in photography began when I was in fourth-grade,” Laabs recalled. She was a student at Holy Cross School in Pearl Lake. She won a camera for selling seeds. “I have been hooked since,” she said. To develop her passion, Laabs enrolled in a photography class at Kimball Area High School. She spent a good deal of time in the dark room. She knew photography was right for her since she could do it all day without getting bored. After high school, Laabs went to Willmar Technical College where she took photography courses. At school, Laabs realized she enjoyed creating the pictures more than developing the work. Laabs applied her photography skills when she interned with Ludwig Photography in Albany. She photographed the ’87 World Series Twins on the first day of her internship. “At the time, we didn’t know that they were going to win the series,” Laabs said. After her internship, Laabs worked with Dropp’s Photography in St. Cloud, before opening her own studio. Laabs invites the community to celebrate the business’ 10-year anniversary Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free hotdogs will be served from 12-1 p.m., there will be popcorn and cake for everyone and balloons for kids. There will also be a drawing for door prizes including the grand prize of a family session and 16 x 20 portrait. Images by Marguerite is located in downtown Kimball, next to Bill and Tony’s Cafe. For more information, call (320) 398-5220.
