The highlight of 2019 for me was, without a doubt, the opening of my new studio on December 1.
All of my photography career I have been telling myself that I didn’t want a studio. I love to get the natural photos of families enjoying the outdoors, playing in the leaves in the fall, smelling the flowers in the spring. The studio wasn’t exactly a long time in the works, it really came out of nowhere.
My husband, Cody, and I were at the hospital waiting for my stepson to get out of his most recent eye surgery. Cody was scrolling through Facebook when he came across a commercial space for rent. The space was small, but recently painted, with gorgeous flooring, less than 1/4 mile from our home. After talking it over and looking at the space the following day, we decided that if I didn’t give it a shot now, I may never do it.
So I signed the lease. 24B Park Drive is mine for the foreseeable future.
It was such a terrifying, but exciting step for my business.
Over the next couple weeks we got everything moved in and set up. I have done a couple test shoots and worked out a few kinks with backdrops and lighting.
Those who know me and have worked with me in the past know that, because I didn’t have an adequate space, and wasn’t properly educated, I rarely took on newborn sessions. That is about to change. I have invested quite a bit of money in newborn props and accessories, backdrops, and most importantly, classes. Since I signed the lease at the end of November, I have participated in about 40 hours of training in how to properly and safely photograph newborns.
I will still be offering natural photos of your families in the outdoors, but will now be able to offer studio sessions in a controlled environment. I look forward to little sitter sessions, babies, cake smashes, boudoir and more. I have a space to meet with engaged couples to discuss wedding plans. I can’t put my excitement into words.
Driving home from the airport after visiting my family in North Carolina for Christmas, my husband insisted we stop at the studio on the way home. Weird request, but OK.
He opened the door for me and there was a huge surprise inside. While I was gone, my husband arranged for the studio to be decorated, new furniture moved in, and rearranged. I was speechless. His partner in crime, Andrea Zanghi of Rustic Luxe Furniture in Hornell, did all the legwork and made the beautiful pieces she moved in.
I can’t thank my clients who have supported me over the years enough. This wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you to those of you who have trusted me to capture your wedding photos, who have allowed me in the delivery room when you first meet your baby, thank you for hiring me for family photos, senior portraits, engagements and everything else in between. You have helped me realize a dream I didn’t even know that I have.
2020 will be a make or break year for me and this studio. Keep an eye on my website and Facebook page in the coming weeks for more information about studio sessions. Outdoor portrait sessions will remain, for the most part, the same. I will also be offering a very limited number of monthly mini sessions. For more information on those, click here.
A huge thank you to my husband, Cody, for believing in me and pushing me out of my comfort zone. Without you, I never would have taken this leap. And also to my parents for their never-ending support.
I look forward to working with you all in the future!