One thing we love about community is the way small businesses work together. It’s a necessity for most but it’s also a great experience when they share the same philosophies. That’s why Stephen Akers, Owner of Coastal Imagery, LLC, partners with Chesapeake Bank for his business in Real Estate Photography.
Stephen says that in his business, he and his wife, Stacey, strive to make themselves easily accessible to their customers and provide prompt turnaround on products.
Similarly, when he started his own business, he began as a Sole Proprietor but within a few months, needed to change his business type to a Limited Liability Company and the Chesapeake team made it seamless for him.
Utilizing technology and keeping schedules in mind, our staff was able to make the change quickly through email. “Chesapeake Bank has met our same standard of responsiveness that we uphold in our business model,” says Stephen. “They use a multitude of avenues to reach out. Knowing that we’re getting someone that is genuinely vested in what we need, speaks volumes.”
As for Coastal Imagery, LLC
Stephen says he was just looking for a new challenge when he purchased his drone in 2015. “I was always interested in unmanned aircraft and dove right in.” What started as a hobby taking pictures on vacations and close to home, led to a full-service Real Estate Photography company in 2019. He now delivers interior, exterior, and aerial photos to his customers in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
Since that time, they have photographed over 430 listings. 225 of those were in 2021 alone.
Meaningful Moves in the Northern Neck
Stephen and his wife were both born and raised in the Northern Neck, so they know the local waterways, landmarks, and other information that helps to portray the properties they photograph. “This is our home,” he says. “We’re proud of where we came from and it means so much to us to get to showcase the hidden gems of the areas we serve.”
Knowing that their photos have helped sellers and potential buyers move from one transition of life to another has been meaningful. The same is true about receiving recognition from their clients. “I’m self-taught in photography and editing,” says Stephen. “Building something from the ground up, on our own, and receiving recognition and exposure for that is very humbling.”
On the Job
By day, Stephen is a Law Enforcement Officer and Stacey is a Business Development Officer for a certain community bank, which limits most of their work to weekends, and evenings when they can make it before sunset. But they guarantee a prompt response, show up when they say they will, and turn photo galleries around within 48 hours. Non-profits and businesses use their services for marketing material, digital platforms, and other promotions, as well.
Why Community Banks Make the Best Bank for Small Business
If you’re looking for a bank that’s dedicated to small businesses, here we are. We know that without small businesses, like Coastal Imagery, LLC, our communities wouldn’t be all that they are. They are the foundation of our local economy. And it doesn’t get any better on your end than to work with a banker that truly understands what it’s like on your side of the business, too.