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Radio Pro Now Has New Outlook On Life

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By TODD LESKANIC

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Booray Perry accomplished a lot in his 18 years as a radio personality.

At his peak, Perry hosted a syndicated morning show that aired on 62 stations in 46 states. He worked in the same Dallas building as renowned radio host Tom Joyner and other giants of the medium.

Despite his success, Perry never got his picture on a billboard.

Although he left radio in 2001, his new business venture may afford him that chance, albeit in a different form. Six months ago, he opened Booray Perry Photography out of his two-story house in the Heritage Harbor subdivision.

The venture serves a few purposes. It allows Perry to continue being a stay-at-home dad to his two young daughters, Samantha and Mackenzie. It also capitalizes on Perry's passion for photography, a love he has nurtured since high school.

"I had no idea if I'd be able to make money doing it," Perry said. "I knew there were good, good, good photographers who were making money, but my original aspiration was just to be as good as some of the work that I'd seen."

After leaving radio, the gregarious 44-year-old moved from Dallas to Tampa and got married. He and his wife, Bobbi, agreed he would be "Mr. Mom" while she worked.

Being at home with the kids allowed Perry to continue working at photography in between feedings and diaper changes. While the girls napped, Perry was upstairs in his photo studio, experimenting with lighting techniques or tightening up his Photoshop skills.

The girls and his wife also served as photographic guinea pigs.

With his passion continuing to grow, Perry had to choose whether photography would continue to be a hobby or would become a second career. He built a full-service studio in an upstairs room and outfitted himself with an additional camera and gear.

Perry bills himself as someone who can take photographs that look like they came out of a magazine. He said he charges a little more than department store studios but devotes more time and energy to individual clients and will shoot and tone until his customers are satisfied.

"I want to be a family photographer," he said. "I want to shoot engagements, weddings, newborn baby pictures, anniversary pictures - I want to be the guy you trust, the guy you have a relationship with for years and years to come."

As for marketing, Perry's radio background makes him a natural. He describes himself as the guy who strikes up conversations with random people in the grocery store. His experience as a stay-at-home dad also helps him put children at ease when they're in front of his camera, and that makes for more compelling pictures.

So, which job is the most difficult?

"Being a stay-at-home dad is the toughest job, without a doubt, that I ever had," Perry said. "But I'm so glad I've done it. In fact, I feel sorry for dads who didn't get to do it. Or moms."

Check out Perry's work at www.boorayperry.com.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (727) 815-1084 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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