Our History

World War II has just ended, A young sailor returns home from over sea's with his whole life in front of him.

Photography is his interest and his chosen destiny. His name is Edwin Heckbert, born in Summerside in 1924, son of Earl and Violet Heckbert.

Not long after returning home, Edwin makes a temporary move to Ontario to attend Ryerson Technical Institute School of Photography. Armed with this new knowledge and confidence he returns to Summerside to start his own portrait studio. So begins the History of Edwin Heckbert's Studio.

In time Edwin meets a beautiful young woman and marries Bernadette Farmer in 1949. In the proceeding years they have four children, Danny, Edwin (Gary), Greg, and Brian. In 1954 the unimaginable happens, Edwin Heckbert dies suddenly at the young age of 29.

Bernie, left with not only the enormous responsibility of raising four boys but also that of a growing business realizes that Heckbert's Studio is their lifeline. With incredible inner strength and determination she teaches herself photography and continues on the tradition of the Studio. Bernie eventually remarries to Summerside native Ron MacArthur who also joins her in the business. Together as a photographic team they continued to build on the foundation of Edwin Heckbert's vision. Both become very active in the Summerside business community and in the "Maritime Professional Photographers Association". Through hard work and devotion Heckbert Studio quickly becomes synonymous with high quality photography and personalized customer service.

As the years past and the business grew so too did the boy's. Danny was the first to enter the business on a full time basis at the age of 20. A short number of years later Edwin (jr) after leaving the military, returns to the Island and also starts his career in photography. Both men take a very active roll both in the photography and the running of the business.

In 1976 Danny and Edwin purchased Heckbert Studio from their parents and continued the tradition into another generation. With their increasing markets they knew they needed help to manage the business while they concentrated on their photography.

Greg MacArthur joined them as the General Manager and third partner in 1979. Together the trio developed, improved, and expanded the studio into something great. The business grew to one of the largest single volume studios in Atlantic Canada with as many as five locations in two cities and a staff approaching 20 strong.

Danny eventually made his way to Charlottetown to expand their horizons into a new market, while Edwin continued with business in Summerside. Greg also expanded the business further with the addition of two new stores called "Frameworld". This custom framing operation complimented the Studio's by providing a new service for existing and new clients.

In 1989 Marc, Danny's son, entered the family operation. Starting from the ground up, Marc learns every aspect from cutting frames to the intricacies of Portrait Photography.

Today Marc manages the Charlottetown Studio and is hanging his growing number of awards next to his fathers. With a keen knowledge in technology, Marc is working hard to keep the Studio's one step ahead in this ever changing digital world.

The most recent and exciting development in the ongoing history of Heckbert Studio is the addition of Edwin (jr's) son "Kent". This will bring together two active father and son teams. Kent's initial focus in the business is in "Digital Imaging" and studio operations which incidentally is the direction of the entire photographic industry.

The future of Heckbert Studio seems to be as an exciting story as the history is. Be sure to check back as there is bound to be further "additions" to this ongoing saga.

Visit our Portrait Studio at www.heckbertstudio.com