Wendy Hickok Photography has been hired to photograph St John Properties annual Christmas party for the the past eleven years. The gatherings are always gorgeous, everyone dances to a live band, and they have awesome raffles for staff to win. People knew there was a surprise this year, but St. Johns had kept the secret really tight lipped. Nothing could have prepared us for the what Ed St. John had coming for his employees. We had asked in advance what the surprise was because we didn’t want to be in shock as well, but they wouldn’t tell us. As everyone collected their red envelopes the excitement in the room was palpable. People stared at them wondering what could be inside. Ed St John started chatting about how the company has grown, how every person that works with them is equally important, and how the incredible goal of managing 20 million square feet goal had been met in 2019. He then started explaining how they wanted to give them a bonus and had started with a million, but that just wasn’t enough to show their gratitude. So he decided on 5 million, but again that just wasn’t enough. So he took out 10 million dollars from the companies reserves as a bonus of their 197 employees. Liz and I were in shock. Trying to do quick math in the moment didn’t actually work so we just ran around the room searching for the longest working employees. People were bursting into tears, hugging, and had complete looks of disbelief. I personally witnessed someone open an envelope with a $150,000 bonus inside.
It was the first true holiday miracle I have ever witnessed. Liz and I were both in tears as we photographed lives changing. We heard people exclaiming “we can pay off our house” “I can send my kid to college now” “I can finally leave my husband” and so on. Needless to say, we were so honored to be there to witness so many lives changed.
Here’s hoping for 40 million square feet St. John Properties!
Check out our photos that landed in the Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, CNN, CBS, The Today Show
If you are looking for a great place to work St. John Properties is always hiring so check out their website!
