Today we’d like to introduce you to JW Abney.
Hi JW, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve spent over 25 years in technology, cybersecurity, and business, but the story behind Deluxe Lens actually starts with my son.
Jason Jr., then serving as Commissioner of Outreach for his high school’s Student Government Association, was responsible for securing a photo booth for the school’s Homecoming event. His efforts were met with multiple challenges vendors who never responded, and those who did often lacked professionalism.
He brought it up at a family dinner, and honestly, it lit a fire. It reignited a long-standing passion I had for photography and made it clear there was a real gap in the market right here in Southern Maryland. So we built the solution ourselves.
Deluxe Lens is a true family endeavor. My wife Monique brings her eye for design and sense of style, ensuring every experience is as elegant as it is memorable. Jason Jr. plays an essential role in day-to-day operations – equipment setup, client outreach, and social media.
We launched in March 2025 and have already served school events, dances, and festivals across St. Mary’s County. The goal from day one has been simple: deliver the level of service and professionalism we once found lacking, and make sure every guest walks away with memories worth keeping.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly? No. And anyone who tells you launching a business is smooth probably isn’t being real with you.
We launched in March 2025 and the first challenge was simply being unknown. Southern Maryland is a close-knit community. People book vendors they’ve heard of, vendors their friends used, vendors with a track record. We had none of that on day one. You have to earn your way in and that takes time.
Getting those first bookings without a portfolio was a grind. We had the equipment, the skills, the professionalism, but convincing someone to take a chance on a brand-new company isn’t easy. We leaned hard on community relationships, word of mouth, and showing up to every event like it was the most important one we’d ever done. Because at that point, it was.
There were also the behind-the-scenes challenges nobody talks about. Building a website, setting up booking systems, managing equipment logistics, training staff, handling marketing, and still delivering flawlessly at every event. As a family-owned business, all of that falls on us.
But every obstacle has reinforced why we started. We didn’t launch Deluxe Lens because it was easy. We launched it because the gap was real, the need was there, and we knew we could do it better. That belief has carried us through every rough patch.
As you know, we’re big fans of Deluxe Lens Photo Booth. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Deluxe Lens Photo Booth is a family-owned photo booth company based in Southern Maryland, serving St. Mary’s County, Calvert County, and the surrounding region including Washington D.C. and Virginia.
What we do is simple to describe but hard to replicate: we deliver premium photo booth experiences that are fun, elegant, and stress-free. We specialize in weddings, corporate events, school functions, private parties, and milestone celebrations. Every setup is clean and modern, the image quality is studio-level, and our attendants are trained to make sure every guest feels taken care of from the first flash to the final photo.
What sets us apart is the combination of technology, service, and heart. I have over 25 years of experience in photography, technology, and business operations. My wife Monique has an eye for design that ensures every setup looks as good as it photographs. Our son Jason Jr. is hands-on at events and handles logistics with the kind of professionalism that surprises people when they find out this is a family business.
We are most proud of the reputation we have built in a short amount of time. Every five-star review we have received came from genuine client satisfaction and word of mouth. No shortcuts.
What we want readers to know is this: when you book Deluxe Lens, you are not just renting a photo booth. You are getting a team that treats your event like it matters, because to us, it does.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Accountability. No excuses, no finger-pointing, no hiding behind “we’re a small business.” When you book Deluxe Lens, we made a commitment to you and we take that seriously.
That mindset comes from over 25 years of working in environments where failure wasn’t an option. In cybersecurity and defense contracting, if something goes wrong, it goes wrong at a level that matters. That same standard of ownership transferred directly into how we run Deluxe Lens.
If something isn’t right, we fix it. If we say we’re going to be there at a certain time with certain equipment delivering a certain experience, that is exactly what happens. Every time.
I think a lot of vendors in the event space get comfortable. They show up, they do the job, they leave. We refuse to operate that way. We show up prepared, we engage with guests, we pay attention to details the client never even thought to ask about, and we leave every event having raised the bar for what people expect from a photo booth company.
That level of accountability is what builds trust. And trust is what turns a first booking into a referral, and a referral into a reputation. That’s what we’re building with Deluxe Lens, one event at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deluxelensphotobooth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deluxelensphotobooth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574003506414
