Business partnership
Some say passion is contagious. Others say that talent is passed down from generation to generation. For the Forest family, these two adages undoubtedly apply!
Having started his career in Saint-Jacques, after attending the École des Beaux-Arts, Yvon Forest first earned his living as a graphic designer, while completing freelance photography contracts at the same time. Gradually, the profession of photographer took up more and more space and the studio moved to the house in Sainte-Julienne to see their daughter Ysabelle grow up. Lise left her job as a childcare worker to support her husband full-time in the family business.
It was in 1978 that Yvon, Lise and Ysabelle moved to Joliette, on rue Magnan, and gradually developed their clientele in this new environment.
Learn by example
Throughout her youth, Ysabelle observed her parents in the studio. As soon as she came home from school, she would sit in the big brown leather armchair and watch them interact with customers or even get busy processing or editing photos. It was her way of spending time with her family. She began pursuing photography more seriously around 1989, then decided to officially take over the family business in 1996.
Well anchored in the city center
It was in 1999 that Ysabelle fell in love with the city center when she became the owner of the building currently occupied by the photography studio, on Saint-Viateur Street. Much loved by loyal customers and still driven by passion for their profession, Yvon and Lise continued to be involved in the family business until around 2005-2006. He helped with the frames, while she organized the photos.
Even today, Ysabelle has downtown Joliette tattooed on her heart. “I intend to continue my profession for the next 15 to 20 years “, says the 57-year-old businesswoman without hesitation. “ All our lives, we have had the privilege of having our customers welcome us into their private lives. We have many emotions and memories shared with our customers. This is why we have developed and maintained such a close and valuable bond with them. Among these, some have been loyal to us for 3 generations. This helps maintain passion », she concludes.
Highlights
- 1978: Arrival in Joliette and operation of the studio on rue Magnan
- 1989: Ysabelle’s debut in photography
- 1996: Takeover of the family business by Ysabelle
- 1999: Installation of the studio in downtown Joliette
Anecdotes
Post-wedding routine
After working on photographing a wedding, often on Saturday evenings, the Forest family used to sit in the swing, behind Lise and Yvon’s house, to tell each other about their day. Both happy moments and family squabbles enlivened their discussions.
Busy summers
As the summer period was always particularly busy, Yvon and Lise made it an honor to set aside a day each summer to spend the day with Ysabelle at La Ronde. Sundays were also dedicated to visiting art galleries with the family.
An early start
Ysabelle took the first photo of her parents when she was just 2 years old!
The best mentor
At the age of 5, Ysabelle was already learning the basic concepts of composing an image. Her father Yvon showed her a photo and asked her what she liked best in the image and why.
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