Other photographers began asking Wayne to print their work; business increased, and so did the need for additional employees. What began with one person (Wayne) doing all the processing, printing, invoicing, telephone, purchasing, maintenance, etc., now took five people. The small-home business no longer was contained to the basement level, but now engulfed the garage, extra bedroom, and kitchen areas. And with a growing family, it was time to move.

So, in 1974, we purchased and renovated a small, 1,200-square-foot home at 8906 East 67th Street, our present location. In 2020, this complex now encompasses over five acres, including 60,000 square feet under one roof, and an additional seven free-standing homes that were purchased for parking and needed property expansion projects over the years.

Over time, the process of making photographs began to change dramatically. To keep up with business, the lab had to stay current with equipment and trends in the photographic world. Digital cameras were sending images directly to computers. Darkrooms and film were becoming a thing of the past. Our customers were trying to sort out what kind of equipment to invest in. They were trying to understand how this digital space would change how they did business. This was a tough thing to do while still balancing the daily tasks of running a business. H&H knew that education in this new space was very important. From the very beginning, H&H realized that teaching customers better ways to do business, or even simply sharing newer digital technologies, would only help the industry thrive as a whole.

In 2002, H&H University was established with the simple motto, “Keeping you in touch with changing technology.” Digital technology had all of us scrambling for the right answers to our countless questions. H&H University became a respected source of truth and a place where photographers knew that the only agenda was helping them succeed. Today, we continue this tradition with world-class training, where the focus goes way beyond just digital printing. Our continuing education focuses on helping independent photographers build successful businesses, competing with large national companies in volume school, sports, and events. For the portrait/wedding photographer, we conduct classes for photographic and sales techniques and the technology of online sales tools for galleries, IPS (both remote and in studio), mobile apps, and much more.

The digital revolution was just the beginning of change for the independent professional photographer, and H&H has never paused in our mission of support. In 2002, we had a building full of film processors and optical printing equipment that soon had to be retired. We had to refurbish our building with the latest computers and digital printers and all the extra equipment that followed. We continued to embrace technology as it changed and moved our industry, investing millions of dollars in technology, our own IT department, and turnkey-integrated programs to help the independent professional photographer diversify, grow, and prosper in their business. With our expert understanding of the photographic demands of data, images and automation, H&H has built software and manufacturing systems for both the volume and portrait/wedding photographer that deliver astounding product personalization, as well as add-on sale delivery, packing, and multiple-sale delivery that’s easy on the studio workload.