Madison Small Business Spotlight: CJP Photos

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: CJP Photos
Owners: Christopher Jennings Penders
Website: CJP Photos
Address: Home-based in Madison, Online only

How did you come up with the name?

I used the first letter my first name and last name.

Why start a business in this town?

Madison has always been important to me and from the moment I moved here in 1978 I knew I wasn’t going anywhere else. I support all the local businesses and everyone in turn has supported me. I feel right at home here.

What business are you in?

Landscape/Nature Photography

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Knowing how to price my photography so as not to price myself out of the market, but also to stay reasonable so I can continue to attract customers.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

I show my photography locally all the time and for the past two years I’ve sold out of my inventory during my one day event in May on the Madison Green. It’s so overwhelming for me when I did so the first time two years ago, and these are people who travel from all over the state, not people who know me.

How does your business give back to the community?

I give photos as often as I can to area charities for auction. I sometimes leave a photo somewhere downtown for someone to stumble across as a free gift.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.