Busy, busy, busy!

So it's been three weeks since my last post.  I haven't been away from the blog because there is nothing to write about.  It's that there is SO MUCH going on, I haven't had time to blog about it.  I technically don't really have time to blog right at this very moment, but I keep getting emails from people who are wondering how the new studio is doing, so I thought it was time for an update. 

Ready?  Here goes... (deep breath)

Since I last posted, they finished painting the walls and installing the new floors.  I love love LOVE how it turned out.  The floor looks like wood, but it's actually vinyl.  It's very rugged, not too loud when you walk on them (which is good since we're on the 2nd floor), and easy to take care of.  They put in the new carpet on the stairs and repaired and stained the banister so it will match the floors.  They also restored the bathroom to new, so it no longer looks like a public restroom with the metal paper towel and toilet seat cover dispensers on the wall. 

Here are some pictures of it.  It's not a huge space (about 975 square feet), so I took several shots from one vantage and merged them together.  It's not really as cubist as it looks here!

Here is the front room, which will be used to show clients slideshows of their sessions.  I'll also have a changing table for the babies, and a kid's play area so they can be entertained while their parents meet with me to place their orders.

Here's looking down the stairs to the entrance outside.  The banisters are much prettier.  I doubt the pretty banisters are going to make my maternity clients feel any better about the long haul up the stairs though! 

Here is the second room, which will be my shooting room.  I love the big bank of windows, and they are mirrored on the outside, so they let in plenty of light, but give complete privacy.  I'll also have a workspace in this room, where I will prepare prints to go out to clients. 

This room will also be where I have my workshops.  When I have the Ten For The Weekend workshops, I'll move the equipment off to the side and bring out my folding conference table and chairs.  I'll store them behind the backdrop when I'm not using them.  It's a nice big room, bigger than the main room.

They gave me the keys a few days earlier than expected, so I found myself not quite mentally prepared to get started, but very excited.  I started moving some things in and sorting out my studio into what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to get rid of or replace.   (It looks like I'll be having a "new studio" equipment sale pretty soon !)

Here's how it looked with the studio set up:

It was a little odd at first to shoot in such a nice big space, I have to say. I've been in the garage so long, that is was weird to not have to climb over strollers and bikes to get ready.

Yesterday, I had the first of my furniture delivered, and I worked a little on the kids' play area.  I love the couch and chair I found.  I really like the shapes, they are very comfortable, and they are covered in a microfleece fabric which made them (a)less expensive (b)very easy to clean, and (c)soft and comfortable.  I bought the chair with nursing mommies in mind. You just sink into it and you can arrange the pillows around you as needed.  Comfy.

The play area still looks pretty bare.  All I have is the table & chairs and the cutest little brown velvety sofa I found at Home Goods the other day.  I am still waiting for my play kitchen and bookcase to arrive.  The baskets in the corner are for the changing table that will go over by the restroom.  I'm still not sure what I'm doing to the walls here.  I might get a mural painted, or put up some wainscoting, or maybe just leave it.  I haven't decided.

So the actual studio space itself is at least underway and making some progress.  I have an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 19th, and the Grand Opening Open House on Saturday, June 21st.  I still have a lot to do to get the space ready, like finish furnishing it and hang pictures on the walls, but I think it will be done in plenty of time.

Comments

[Julie L.]

YEAH!! Lookin' great! I'm so excited for you. Thanks for taking the time to updated us....I've been anxious to know what's goin' on! =)

[Jen Wilson]

Hey Autumn!

This looks amazing! Congrats on your new venture!

jen :)