August 15, 2013

my studio


I've wanted to post pictures of my photography studio for over a year.

Funny enough, the reason I now have time to take and post pictures of my photography studio is because I put my photography business on hold for this year.

Actually, not totally on hold. I have one client and we are spreading her senior session out over the summer. One outfit per shoot. One shoot per month.

It's perfect for me to have a little something to creatively dream about, while not overwhelming or stressing me out. She is very sweet to work with my schedule, and we've already got some awesome shots.

Side note. It was easy to put my business on hold while I'm going through chemo. Any woman who has gone through chemo whilst still working, or any woman who has gone through chemo and has small or medium sized kids, or even large kids at home has my utmost respect and never ending admiration. Women who both work AND have little kids and go through chemo? (Yes, I'm talking to you, Michelle.) Truly amazing.

Side note officially over.


For several years, our front room was virtually unused. We have a family room where we watch tv, and my hubby has a man cave, so the front room was just sort of sitting there without a purpose in life.


Once I decided to make a real go of my senior photography business, I had a blast turning that room into my studio space.


While I have never been one to make any part of our house particularly manly (except the man cave), it's been so fun to go extra girly with my studio. (My business is senior girls only.)


We use the studio for our pre-shoot consultation, and again after the photo shoot for our ordering session.


It took quite a while for it all to come together. The aqua chaise was first (Target online), then the cupboard, and finally the pillars. My hubby built the shelf on top, and that's when I was able to start filling in pretty much every square inch of free space with vintage finds and girly frills.


The chandy is my most recent addition, and I love it to pieces.

It's has an alarming burning smell when we turn it on.

We should probably look into that.


I am constantly on the prowl for vintage prom dresses and beautiful old umbrellas. I will never have enough of either.


Vintage suitcases and fun jewelry are also high on my list. Are any of you familiar with Charming Charlie? My niece introduced me and I'm hooked. Fortunately for my wallet the closest location is in Washington.


I still have many vintage picture frames I need to find a place for. Sadly, I'm out of walls.


I also seem to have a dress form addiction. My son calls them my pretend friends.


I still have odds and ends to button up.....and part two of this post will be the other half of the room once said odds and ends are done.

So.....maybe part two will never happen? Pinterest has given me plenty of inspiration, but follow through seems to be the issue at the moment!


I'm already looking forward to next year and picking up where I left off with my business!


Until then, I will just hang with my pretend friends in the studio when I need some girl time.

p.s. Apologies for the watermarks. I hate them, but unfortunately, they are necessary.

Happy Thursday afternoon!



43 comments:

  1. Are you for real? What a little slice of heaven you've created. I would be in there talking with those girls every. single. day. Absolute girl paradise. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your studio is heavenly! No wonder your pictures are so beautiful...it's partly because you have such wonderful props.

    I didn't know you were going through chemo. I wish you the very best.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a gorgeous place to consult and have girl time! Gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I adore your studio. I have admired you photography as well! I have heard of Charming Charlie's, but I have never been there.
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an amazing space. Love it. You should do well with all that for props. Glad the chemo is over. Sorry you had to go through it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, too lovely. I'm a vintage collector myself. This is a slice of heaven.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My senior girl would be in heaven to come to your studio! She is such a girly girl and this is over the top for senior photos! Even I'm in love. I hope your one client realizes she has the best photographer a girl could have. Divine!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Teresa! What an amazing space and a pretty place to putter while you recuperate. Lots of hugs and all my best thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have to confess... Michelle and I have secret pics of your girly girl room! But then you and her had secret pics of a snake, which I understand is wandering around reminding you of me!!!
    I am so happy to see you blogging again... I haven't since I let pinterest into my life!
    Hope last week's chemo fog has faded.
    Miss ya! +: )

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lady...I'll be over in roughly nine years. That's when the oldest of the THREE girls will be a senior...I CANNOT wait for you to take their picture...seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heavenly...just heavenly. So pretty and perfect. I wish I was a Senior. Good luck. Can't wait to see the other side of the room.

    Thank you....
    Susannah

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your vintage suitcases. Darling pictures. I read somewhere that claritin or zyrtec helps with the bone pain from chemo which I had so much of it so I took it last week during chemo and after chemo and had absolutely no bone pain. I couldn't believe how it worked. If you have the bone pain try it and hopefully it works. I agree with the working, there is no way I could work during chemo, so I'm just enjoying every day to the fullest! I feel a bond with you as we go through chemo together. I miss my hair...

    ReplyDelete
  13. You made me cry (PS I never cry LOL)
    Your so sweet.
    I really believe it was by the Grace of God that he would really hear me crying and pleading for him to help me to get out of bed each day and push me more than I knew I was capable of.
    I think every room in your house is AMAZING but your "work room" is a Fav! And I love your pretend friend in the green dress ;)
    Someday when you use that raincheck we will check out the local charming charlie. I noticed that store has turned me into a girly girl and Megan too LOL
    Hugs and prayers this coming week...
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  14. ps... your pretend friend in the pink dress with the rainboots.. LOVELY!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great space, and wow those dresses are great!!, loving those suitcases

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wish I was a senior, (well I am that) but I mean a "young senior" having you as my photographer! What a fun, frilly, vintage like studio . . . and fun, fun, business for you . . . Love that blue boat for pics too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's been many years since I have played dress up, yet that is exactly what I want to do right now. That space is amazing. I remember when you got the settee way back when. It's just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your space is sooooo lovely!!! I love everything in there! It's almost magical :) xox Holly

    ReplyDelete
  19. You have created the most charming, girlie, relaxing room I have ever seen. That should be in a magazine. Such beautiful dresses and bling! I like your pretend friends, and I am betting they are real good listeners!!
    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
    Annette

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my, what a fun room!! :) It even makes me want to play dress up!! Just wait till you have grand daughters one day. ;) I agree with you about taking time off. My sister had gone back to college to get her teaching degree and reluctantly took a year off during her treatments, but in the end she was glad she did. :) Looking forward to seeing the other side of the room and future photos of your subjects. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love how "your colors" continue right on into your studio, and the garments & accessories you've collected there! Beautiful. Thinking of you & hope you're having a beautiful day! Love, Sal

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm not exactly sure where to start, so I'll just jump in. I love how you followed your girly side for this room ... the colors, the columns, mirrors, and all of your pretend friends are so wonderful. The whole space looks just like your portraits that you have shown us! (Those old chandeliers are pretty easy to take apart and check the wiring, so it shouldn't be a big job. In the meantime, I'd leave it turned off.)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Forgot to ask ... I'd love to follow you on Pinterest. Can we have the link? Pretty please.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on chemo being over!!! Yay!!!
    I had both chemo and radiation therapy back in 2005...yuck and thank goodness it is behind me, and you!!!
    Beautiful photos, thanks for posting!
    Still love your carrot cake recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I wouldn't want to go back to my high school years (too long ago), but if I did, just for senior pictures, I'd want them to be in your studio - beautiful and hope you are feeling stronger every day:)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh my gosh! Your studio is fabulous! I just love everything you do, really. Even the watermarks are pretty. Praying for you, Teresa. I hope you are gaining your strength back every day!

    ReplyDelete
  27. My friend sent me back to visit you, she knows me well. Love your space! My last girl of 3 moved out yesterday, her 21st birthday, so I'm left with 3 empty bedrooms! You inspired me today.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love you and your creations. Beautiful all. Hope soon to see pics of YOU posing n smiling in some of these fun frills, feeling rested, recovered and radiant!
    xoxo
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  29. Gorgeous studio, very inspiring! Hmm... LOVE the dress forms; I haven't found any I can afford. Sorry to hear about the chemo :o/ but glad to hear you're still making art!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a beautiful use for your front room. I would be in there all day long. I so hope you are doing well. I think of you often.

    Hugs!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a divine room! You are the best photographer! I also love your blue boat.. if only I had a pond that big. We just got back from camping.. I put up an inordinate amount of photos.. I'd love for you to come see them. I hope the chemo goes fast and works fast so you can put that behind you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh if your studio isn't a girl's dream room, I don't know what is! Absolutely lovely and inviting... Thanks for sharing. Prayers for you as you continue your treatments and for restored health and well being.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Your studio is absolutely stunning! I love every detail and the colorful vintage prom dresses are divine! Every woman/girl needs a girly, girly room filled with lovelies! Your photography is amazing. It's good to take a break and practice "easy does it" I haven't visited in a long time and am sad to hear of your health challenge. Sending prayers. Take it easy and get plenty of rest so your body can heal.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Teresa, I have often wondered about the room that we never saw except in glimpses through a doorway. Just as spectacular as I imagined. Those girls are so lucky to have a photographer who takes the most creative senior pics. I hope all is well with you and your treatments are moving along so you can kick this thing in the butt and move on! I feel like things are mostly behind me now. I did just find out I will be having a complete hysterectomy in November, but that will be my FINAL surgery. ( I insist) I will be glad to have a few less parts to worry about. Plus, first time in 28 years that I will get out of hosting Thanksgiving! Life is good.
    Take care dear girl.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Okay, I haven't been able to keep up with blogs as we have spent the summer traveling and rarely had internet. So this is the first I'm reading about your cancer, and I just want to say: Praying for you! I'm walking through this with my SIL who had the surgery, did the chemo, and is now undergoing radiation. She could have written the first post you wrote, revealing the diagnosis and what it has meant. It really doesn't matter what any of the rest of us think, I agree that the decisions regarding treatment are personal and are NONE OF OUR BUSINESS :) Our job is simply to support, encourage and help in any way we can. Glad that you have plenty of those in your life willing to do just that.

    And absolutely LOVE your studio!!! Absolute perfection and TOO MUCH FUN.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Stopped in to show my daughter your magical studio. We're both drooling on the keyboard but will clean ourselves up and say a prayer that you're feeling strong and having a good Labor Day weekend!
    (((hugs))))
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh my gosh this room of yours is so beautiful and magical. I love aqua and you certrainly are skilled at decorating and using color. Can't wait to see the otherside of the room!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Teresa
    I wasn't aware of what you've been going through.
    I'm sorry to hear, but so glad your chemo over.
    Your room is gorgeous. You've taken Senior pictures
    to a whole new level!!

    ReplyDelete