By Stefanie Van Wyk
Photographer Michelle (Jansen) Gritters is filling an important niche in the Pella area with her business, Digital Galleria Designs, which offers professional photography that’s affordable, fast, and fun.
“Being a mom myself, I realized there was a need in the area for family-affordable, professional chil-dren’s photography,” said Gritters. “Digital Galleria is a step up from your standard department store studio, but still in the same price point.”
One of Michelle’s favorite pictures is of Emma Van Dyke, granddaughter of Lenis De Cook of Sully.
Gritters, whose studio is in Pella, was actually born and raised in Sully before moving to Pella in fourth grade. She is the daughter of Bryce and Linda Jansen of Leighton, and Karen and Jim Umble of Harvey. Her grandparents, Herman and Bessie Jansen (now deceased), lived north of Sully for many years on a Century Farm, where her cousins, Lauren and Julie Van Wyk, reside today. Gritters has vivid memories of her early years in Sully.
“I remember loving the Lynnville-Sully School and the small town atmosphere … going to the S.O.S for a snack and renting videos, the Coffee Cup Café for Friday night pizza, and the little grocery store on the corner,” Gritters shared. “I also have fond memories of watching fireworks at the ‘tornado-slide’ park and participating in the Fourth of July parades. Much of my family still lives in or around the Sully area.”
After graduating from Pella High School, Gritters (then Jansen), started Jansen Photography, but was admittedly too nervous and didn’t have the funds necessary at the time to switch over to the digital photography format. The business owner, who has always loved photography, then went to work for Pella Corporation.
Pella-based photographer and owner of Digital Galleria, Michelle Gritters.
“I worked at Pella Corp in the factory for six years, held many management jobs, and eventually worked as a studio manager at a large photography studio in Des Moines,” Gritters explained. “After marrying my husband, Joel from Pella, I moved back, and he talked me into starting my own business again. I was nervous about the financial investment, but he convinced me that it would work out.”
Gritters opened her photography studio, Digital Galleria, in July 2007. Originally housed in a suite on the Molengracht in Pella, the business outgrew its space and is now located on the west end of Old Highway 163, near DeVries Electric and Pella Glass. This larger space is over 3,000 square feet and includes a lighted studio, window light studio, lobby waiting area, office area, and digital mini print lab.
Gritters considers herself a “self-taught” photographer.
“I have taken some business classes, but am mostly self-taught,” Gritters said. “After high school, I immersed myself in training videos and books. That being said, my theory is, if you have an eye for photography, the technical concepts will follow.”
Today, Digital Galleria employs five photographers, in addition to Gritters.
One of Michelle’s favorite pictures is of Rowan Van Maanen, son of Matt and Rachel Van Maanen of Sully.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my incredible staff!” said Gritters. “Christy, Ryan, Allison, Jeanann, and Tiffany are the most amazing staff and friends I could ask for. We have a ton of fun together and sometimes fight like family. In no way would Digital Galleria be the success it is without them.”
The studio is primarily known for its timely and affordable photography for growing families.
“Seventy-five percent of our business (or more) is children and families,” Gritters said. “Children need photos taken more than anyone, especially in their first year. We offer superb customer service, professional and window lighting, and tons of backgrounds and props! We also offer same-day printing Monday-Friday. We have our own on-site digital mini lab (same as the pro-photo labs use), which enables us to control our own quality and print quickly. Once you place your order, your order should be ready in 10-20 minutes.”
In addition to family photography, the business also offers senior, business, and wedding photography and will travel for weddings and large groups.
While Gritters truly loves what she does, running a business definitely hasn’t been easy.
“Everyone always said starting a business was hard, and I didn’t really believe them,” Gritters shared. “Now I do! Not only did I have the regular business responsibilities of advertising and bookwork, I’ve had to learn several new software programs and order a not-so-cheap digital mini lab from California. It was nerve-wracking making the initial investment, but I know in this day and age, people want the finished product in hand fast, so taking the plunge has proven worth it.”
While a majority of Digital Galleria’s business comes from Pella and its surrounding small towns, the studio does see several customers from Des Moines and even Iowa City. Gritters is thankful for her ever-growing, loyal customer base.
“Customers that move away usually come back to visit family and plan a photo session at the same time,” Gritters said. “It’s wonderful to have such loyalty!”
Gritters especially enjoys the relationships she and her staff are able to build with customers and the community through this business.
“It is so much fun to get to personally know our customers and watch the little ones grow up,” Gritters said. “We often take senior portraits for someone, then wedding, and then family a few years later. We are just like parents and ‘can’t believe’ when babies already turn one! We also feel it’s necessary to shop with the same customers who shop with us, as well as give back to the communities. We enjoy donating gift certificates to local events whenever possible, especially if we already have a relationship with the chairperson or organization. It’s definitely a win-win!”
Gritters isn’t one to become complacent and is always forward-thinking in her business approach.
“We are always changing, always investing, and educating ourselves to stay relevant to the business market,” Gritters said. “Something I learned in the six years of factory life was continuous improvement. We are always updating our props and backgrounds, equipment, computers, and software. Eventually, we would like to add on a newborn room, just for newborns. Newborns are so fun to take portraits of, but they take a lot of time and patience, so a separate area just for them and their family would be superb.”
Outside the studio, life is equally busy for Gritters. Her husband farms and also does farm tiling and trenching. She is also mom to two boys: Alex, a junior at Iowa State studying biochemistry, and Briar, a first grader at Lincoln Elementary in Pella.
Needing pictures taken? Digital Galleria is currently running a spring special. For only $14.99, customers will receive two 8x10s, four 5x7s, four 4x6s, and 24 wallets of their favorite pose. This offer is good through the end of May, for up to 14 people, and doesn’t have a sitting fee. Studio hours are posted above, but sessions are by appointment only. Gritters stresses the importance of calling ahead, as the staff may be out on location. Gritters and company look forward to creatively capturing your next milestone!
Digital Galleria Designs
Owner: Michelle Gritters
Location: 2525 Old Hwy 163, Pella (near DeVries Electric and Pella Glass)
Phone: (641) 628-2408
Email: photos@digitalgalleriadesigns.com
Website: digitalgalleriadesigns.com
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 9 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Wednesday - 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday - 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
