Our Studio!

As many of you know, we recently signed a lease on a studio space in downtown Paris.  We are not completely finished with our renovation work, but since we had several people waiting on shoots, we decided to do a soft opening so that we could go ahead and use it and squeeze in the rest of the work as we can between shoots.

Now, before I go on, there is something very important that has to be pointed out.  My husband is amazing.  Every major change you see in the following photos was done by his two hands and now aching back.  I assisted where I could and have painted my share of the walls, but the real magic has happened because well, frankly, I married a man who can do anything!  I am not stretching the truth in that statement.  He really can do anything.   Just wait...I'll prove it.

As I said, there is still a great deal of work to be done...the floors need to be sanded and sealed again, there are photos to be ordered for the walls, more props to display, our sign isn't up yet and we still have to remedy the awful drop ceiling and florescent lighting.  But I have faith that you all will be able to look past those things and see the potential this little space of ours has!

I'll begin with the "before" photos taken the day we got our keys.

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Studio II

Here are some shots from the tearing out process...

The Lounge Area

Ok...here is exhibit A of my case to prove that Bala really can do anything.  We knew that we would have to replace the flooring and originally planned on painting the concrete, but we decided to go "green" and recycle some of the material already in our building.  In it's former life, our studio was a retail store.  On the second floor of the store was where they kept their inventory.  There were two rooms of shelving...

which allowed us to go from this...

to this, by using some of the material for strips to nail the other material to!  

A little distressing

 and staining, 

                       

and voilà!

Studio I

Bala sanded the existing floors so that we could stain them the same as the Lounge and then added some molding for visual interest.

Studio II

Tore down a wall and removed the carpet...

And now, for what it looks like today with vignettes set up for our shoots.  Remember, there is still much to do, but we're well on our way!

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Exhibit B...faux finishing done by you know who.

Studio II

Aaaand Exhibit C...floors painted and vignettes set up by the man who. can. do. anything.  I rest my case.

And here's what you see when you walk through the front door.  Quite a transformation!  Oh, and the next time you see my husband make sure you shake his hand, 'cause you're kinda in the presence of greatness ;)

Kasey & Ryan

I cannot tell you how excited we are to be a part of Kasey & Ryan's wedding!  They will be getting married in a green pasture and having the reception in a gorgeous barn.  I won't give any more away, but each time we talk with them about it, Bala and I get even more anxious to see all of the wonderful details they are telling us about come together.

These two are about as laid back and easy going as they come.  We took them out to a farm and utilized the rustic setting for their engagement photos.  I am pretty sure that Ryan isn't the kind of guy who loves being in front of a camera, but he was a super great sport and didn't even mind smooching his beautiful fiancée whenever we asked him!  He even carries the kissing photos around in his wallet to show to all of his football buddies.  Ok, maybe not.

We love these guys and are looking forward to May, warmer weather and a good old fashioned hitchin'!

laid-back

These two cuties were such a joy to work with. We first met Hannah when she was singing with Jonah, one of our talented musician friends who we also just had the pleasure of photographing with his fiancee recently.

(Here's a photo of one of the many times we got to enjoy listening to Hannah and Jonah.  I love this picture of them, by the way...and know exactly what song they are singing.)

Hannah introduced us to her fiancee, Geoff, on one of the last weekends we were in Florida and we took them to a crazy little miniature golf course and then moved downtown.  These two were so laid-back and willing to do whatever we asked them to do.  Bala and I thoroughly enjoyed the shoot and the freedom they gave us to be creative as well as the chance to get to hang out with Hannah one more time before we left the area.  It was a rare cool morning on the coast, and we made the most of it.  Congratulations, Hannah & Geoff!

the one.

I am a firm believer that some things are just meant to be.  Jonah and Allison are one of those couples who certainly prove that theory of mine.  Bala and I met Jonah just over 5 years ago after he had recently moved to the coast.  We instantly bonded with him and have loved this guy ever since.  I cannot say enough wonderful things about him and am so excited to see him get his girl who he has been in love with for the entire time we have known him and even before we met.  The day of the engagement session was the first time we had actually met Allison in person and she is every bit as beautiful as her photographs show.  I could not be happier for these guys!  We are so excited to be a part of their special day which is coming up  very soon.   Bala and I will both be documenting it all in photographs and video.  So stay tuned, this isn't the last you will see of these two.