Business: Orleans Camera Announces New Ownership

ORLEANS – You might not have even known that the ownership of Orleans Camera changed hands recently. In a seamless transition, Joe and Angela Mault, owners of the shop since 1987, have turned over the reins to Jonathan and Katelyn Watkins, owners of JFW Photography, Inc. 

The sale of the business, finalized in March, builds on the legacy of Joe Mault, according to Jonathan Watkins. "We are so grateful for everything Joe has poured into this place and the photographers he's inspired along the way," he said in an email.

 Watkins, a 2013 graduate of Chatham High School, has been a customer of Orleans Camera since 2009, when he got a gift card to the shop from an aunt. 

"I was 14 and I bought a Rebel XTi, the basic beginner camera with an interchangeable lens. I started taking pictures of anything and everything, just learning, and soon realized I needed more," he said in an interview. At the time he was working for the family auto body shop in Brewster, so he soon went back and got a Canon 5D Mark II. In addition to serving as the photographic editor of the school paper, Watkins started taking portraits and family beach pictures.

 When he went off to Bryant University, he set up a mobile photographic studio, providing head shots for college students and businesses. As companies began to increasingly demand high level photographic support, Watkins rebranded his business JFW Photography, Inc. to focus on specializing in architectural photography, real estate media marketing and professional corporate headshots. 

 In 2017, Katelyn came on board as the company's director of operations. They now boast a talented team of five who together work on five to 10 projects a day. 

 Ever since his first camera, Watkins has been a dedicated Canon user and a devoted customer of Orleans Camera. 

"I always bought all my equipment there," he said. Two months ago, Watkins came into the shop with his assistant manager Monique. "Joe mentioned he would be retiring and asked if I knew anyone who might be interested in taking it over. I remember nodding politely," Watkins said, thinking it would be bad if the shop closed down.

 As they left the shop, he recalled Monique saying forcefully to him, "You should buy the shop!" It started him thinking. "We were already a high performing company...could we add this on...could we do it?" 

 One of the key factors in their decision was that longtime staffer Nicole Maclean, who had run the print lab and the store alongside Joe for 27 years, was staying on. After an extensive discussion with Katelyn, who was now also his wife, they decided "we should do it. I called Orleans to let Joe know."

 What was the reaction? 

"Joe was pleasantly surprised, I think," Watkins said. "They had hoped a younger person, perhaps a couple with business experience, might be found." As it turned out, Kate said, "we were a perfect match, with identical values in how we treat our customers, in pricing and in the importance of communication." 

 As to what happens next, Watkins wrote, "Joe and Angela created a legacy and have inspired thousands of photographers and artists. Kate and I are honored to continue the legacy and put our own spin on it." 

 Watkins plans to remain the Cape's only authorized Canon dealer offering a complete photo lab specializing in best-in-class printing and Canon photo products. The Gallery of Photography shows will continue every 45 days or so, and Watkins expects to restart classes with local artists designed to help all skill levels. 

 "Coming to Orleans Camera always felt like home to me," Watkins said. As time goes on, "I hope to be able to inspire like I was inspired."

For more information, visit orleanscamera.com.