By Rick Winterson

     Keri Romiglio has had a multi-faceted career - operations management, BU night school, and now, professional photography.  Her studio at 30 Preble near Andrew Square opened two months back.  Weddings, corporate events, family occasions, and studio portraits are among her specialties.

     South Boston Online has commented in the past about how many residents of the old hometown are entrepreneurs – people who are motivated to go into business for themselves.  Perhaps it’s the salt-air breezes blowing off of Old Harbor, where the advance party of Puritan entrepreneurs first dropped anchor in 1629, before they settled in Charlestown and Shawmut (Boston). 

     Keri Romiglio has lived in South Boston for three years.  She owns a condo on Sixth Street between L and K.  Two years ago, after ten years of increasing responsibility in operations management, she decided to open her own photography business.  She called it by the imaginative name of “Dragonfly Photography”, because they fly so gracefully and she wanted a name her clients would remember.  Initially, she worked from her home on Sixth Street.

     Dragonfly Photography grew rapidly.  Keri does what’s called “event photography”; her particular specialty is weddings and receptions.  She’s also experienced in corporate events.  For example, she photographically recorded an awards banquet at the Museum of Science for ARMA (the American Research Management Association) and a Holiday party for VM Ware (Cambridge), when they moved into larger quarters.  And she has a soft spot for on-location shoots at family occasions, like birthdays, christenings, anniversaries, and retirement parties.  That includes photographing Southie “times”.

     With the growth of her business, Keri has been busier than ever during the second half of 2007.  Two months ago, she moved Dragonfly Photography into its own quarters at 30 Preble Street, a block from Andrew Square.  The location is an attractive white frame building that looks like a small cottage.  Inside there’s a nicely appointed office area and a professional studio.

     To the best of our knowledge, Keri’s facility is unique in South Boston.  It has been welcomed by the residents in and around Andrew Square.  And with a complete, self-contained studio at 30 Preble, Dragonfly is now able to do portraits, so Keri has added a studio photographer to her staff.

     Keri Romiglio is originally from Rockland, the daughter of John and Claudette (Racine) Romiglio.  John is an electrician for American National Power; Claudette is a Hub Group Account Manager.  Keri has a sister Karla, the mother of young twin boys, and a brother John Ryan, who owns his own skateboard shop in Milford.

     She graduated from the Milford schools, and then came to Boston.  Her first job was as an administrative assistant in operations; over the next ten years, she worked her way up to Operations Manager.  Meanwhile, she got a business degree from BU at night, but Keri always wanted to have her own business.

     From her earliest years, she had been interested in camera work, so she took the plunge and opened Dragonfly Photography.  Her work is fully digital.  She prides herself on being on top of trends in wedding photography, including the critical post-production aspects - custom-designed albums, CD sets, and the like.  Keri wants to grow, so she invites inquiries, and is happy to travel.  She took assignments on the Cape and in Rhode Island recently.      

     Keri’s decision to live in South Boston was actually made easy by the residents of the old hometown.  When she was house hunting, she says, “Ten people walked by and said hello to me.  I knew this was the place for me - it was like I lived here already.” 

     Keri’s boy friend is John Bigness - aptly named, since he’s 6’ 2” and 16 stone.  John has one of the most interesting professions in the world.  He’s a Production Brewer at Boston Beer Works.  Keri and he met at Boston Ski & Sports Club, where they play softball and flag football.  She also has a puggle named Emma and visits the Romiglio family in Milford frequently.

     Keri’s public service includes taking pet pictures for the MSPCA to help with getting abandoned animals adopted.  She can also photograph your pet.  And she’d be happy to consider requests for photographic gift packages for silent auctions at Southie “times” and fundraisers.