It seemed like an easy problem to solve, but Chao Zhang couldn’t seem to find the right person to take family portraits. Turns out her business school classmate Kinny Mu was having the exact same trouble.
A light bulb went off, and a little over a year ago the two women joined forces to launch Photofaire, a website designed to make professional photography more accessible.
What makes their idea different? Photofaire lets you shop for photographers based on price and availability, saving you money and time. Choose the right photographer and you can make a booking on the spot.
Zhang recalls how she started Photofaire as a side project while working full-time in the credit card marketing department of Citigroup. But she soon realized her heart wasn’t in financial services.
“I wanted to fully commit, make the jump,” she says of transitioning to focusing on Photofaire.
Launching a startup is far from picture perfect. So what was the hardest part for Zhang?
“Getting out of your comfort zone and reaching out to people,” she admits. “I was standing in the mall and cold-calling. But that’s how you start.”
Zhang says that having a business partner who also has a young family contributes to the company’s success. “We don’t work in the same place,” she says, which helps her and Mu maintain their personal relationship.
Though Photofaire is currently based in Princeton, New Jersey, Zhang commutes to WeWork Fulton Center two to three days a week. It helps her stay plugged into the startup community.
“Even just sitting with other entrepreneurs, you feel more motivated,” Zhang says.
It’s the value of professional photography that keeps Zhang and Mu motivated.
“The more I get to know these photographers, the more I want to advocate for them,” she explains. “They have artist eyes that average consumers don’t have.”
The greatest part? Helping a variety of people—from customers wanting to capture important memories and events to photographers making a living on their art.
Photos: Katelyn Perry