Almost there (zoning and licensing)

The process of moving my studio from St. Louis County into St. Louis City is still not completely over yet. After passing all my inspections for my occupancy permit, I still needed to be granted conditional use approval for having my studio outside the intended zone. It seems that a photography studio falls under Zone "F" (Neighborhood Commercial District) whereas I am located in Zone "G" (Local Commercial and Office District). While I don't quite understand why a photo studio can't fall under both categories, it actually works in my favor that my business does "fit in" with the neighborhood.

This zoning issue has held up my occupancy permit, which in turn has held up my business license. However, my hearing was this morning, and as far as I can tell, it went well. Hopefully I should get my approval in the next few days, followed by my occupancy permit, and finally my City businbess license.

A long tedious process to go through, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Meanwhile, our free senior portrait session contest came to a close. While we didn't quite get the minimum number of entries to award the free senior session, we would like to congratulate the senior who received the most votes and will be awarding her a 75% discount off a senior portrait session.

Open House

Yesterday I held an open house for my new studio. We had a variety of people come through, and everyone loved the new studio, especially those who had been in my previous one. Between the exposed brick walls, windows, amount of space and backyard area, everyone is very excited to see what I can do with this new studio space.

I am still waiting for the Soulard Cultural Resources to approve my signage, and once that is up, I should have the visibility I am hoping for. My conditional use hearing is set for next week, and once  that has gone through, I should have all my paperwork, permits and licensing that I need.

I am very excited to be in this part of St. Louis, Soulard is a wonderful neighborhood. This morning I found out that my residential neighbor has a girlfriend who s a makeup artist who loves very colorful editorial projects - exactly the type that I love to shoot, so we are very excited to work together and create some amazing fashion/beauty editorial images.

For those who did not make it to the open house, but would still like to come by and tour the studio and see what we are all about, feel free to call and come by.

First shoot in New Studio

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of shooting for the first time in my new  studio with a wonderful model - Linzy Anna.

I always like getting beauty shots shot against a white background. Since I don't have any backgrounds up yet, I thought it would be interesting to try shooting against the white brick. I think it worked pretty well, and that was without throwing extra light on the brick to wash it out.

Beauty shot against white brink.

We had about 3 hours to work together, so I tried to shoot in as many spots as we could. Here are some more samples from what we shot together yesterday.

Downstairs in front of white brick

Downstairs by metal door

Upstairs standing in window

Upstairs leaning on cross-beams

Upstairs in front of rolling door

Upstair on couch in front of dark brick

Outside in front of metal siding

There are still several spots that we didn't yet have chance to try out, especially outdoor spots in front and around the corner. Check back soon for additional new studio shots!

Post-move studio status

After moving into or new studio we began the work of getting it ready to start working out of. By now, we've finished most of the unpacking. We've applied for our occupancy permit, and are waiting for one final minor violation to be addressed. We've setup our makeup station as well as our front office. With luck, we should be all set to go within a week! Meanwhile, we have our next underwater pool fashion shoot set for tomorrow.

Front Office

Makeup Station

Moving Day

Today was moving day into our new studio. We will be spending the next week unpacking and setting up. With luck, by the time we are all set up, our occupancy permit will issued and we will be ready to start shooting there.

Studio move update & photos from downtown shoot

Tuesday, I met my new landlord, did a walkthrough of the studio space and got my set of keys. Next week is moving week, with my electricity getting turned on Sunday, Gas on Monday, Cable on Tuesday, and then the movers move everything over on Wednesday. Will post some pictures once I've moved in and setup the place.

Yesterday, despite the 100+ degree heat, I got to work with one of my favorite people, Stacey Hill. Stacey is bot a photographer and model. We went downtown to the abandoned Freight Depot downtown.  Here are some shots we got together:

Underwater shooting

Yesterday, I conducted my 2nd underwater fashion shoot. Underwater shooting is definitely unlike studio or outdoor shooting. It is loads of fun, but also lots of work to pull off. I worked out the kinks I'd had with my flash at my first, as well as figured out how to keep my camera from overheating and freezing up and so yesterday's shoot was leaps ahead of Monday's first attempt. Controlling my own buoyancy is still something I am working out. Since we used a saltwater pool yesterday, the weights which worked so well at my first shoot were insufficient to keep me quite as stationary in the salt water, and I sometime found myself floating up or back while trying to get a shot, which would, in turn affect my camera's focus.

I may have found access to a pool to use anytime I want to schedule an underwater shoot. I need to get the details, and test out shooting in there  since different pools photograph differently and reflect light on the models differently.

I have added a new gallery to my site called "Underwater" and hope to add many new photos in the coming weeks. Once I have gotten my technique down and consistent, I will be offering an underwater shoot package to both high school seniors and models who want these types of photos to their portfolio.

A huge thank you to designer Caroline Williard of CWCouture for providing us with her amazing wardrobe designs to be shot underwater.

Below are several examples from yesterday's shoot.