The Birth of a Photography Studio

After 3 weeks of blood, sweat and a few tears, the new Luke Photography studio is nearing a point where it will be ready for occupation.  And unlike the Occupy “Insert City Here” movement that has fizzled out in various cities across the country, this one is here for the long haul.

The changing room has been built and is awaiting the finishing touches.  The wall along the north-facing windows has been extended, so that standard-width backgrounds can be hung from it, to take advantage of the natural light from the windows.  The floor has been installed in the shooting areas.  And most of the painting has been done.  The waiting area was finished off with a new couch and coffee table, and will be receiving new prints for the walls and some comfortable décor touches.

Next week, the changing room will be finished in a vintage Hollywood theme.  The work island in my office will be completed and stocked.  And finally, the sales room will be readied for the final touches.  Next weekend, furniture from the current studio and office will be moved in, and all the photography equipment will be following shortly after.

A new friend that I met in New Orleans sent me a congratulatory greeting card that contained a Home Depot gift card and several band aids.  The band aids have been used up, as has the gift card, which was used to help pay for the wood for the cabinets in the work isalnd.  There will a storage cubbie in my work island that will be forever known as the “Slye Spot” as a thank you to Kiera for her thoughtful gift.

As I told one of my new building neighbors: the good thing is that I can do all this renovation work.  The bad thing is….I can do all this renovation work.  Most of the heavy work has been done.  Now onto the finish carpentry, which will require fewer band aids, and a lot less sweat.  Then I can sit back and start the work that I was meant to do: create great photographs.