Whistle while you work
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010Taking projects into my own hands is something I was born to do. That’s the entrepreneurial spirit and the seed that gave root to my opening this business, allowing me to be creative every.single.day. After a recent move from Kyle back into Austin, I was forced to leave my dining-room-turned-office space behind and put the majority of office furniture in storage. I spent the last year making this new place feel like home, but the one thing that I still lacked was a real office space. After wrapping up my time away from photography with “mommy leave” this summer, I began tackling the project of organization for 2011. My advertisement on The Knot was one of the BEST business choices I made as it’s put me in contact with so many AMAZING new wedding clients and if the flow of inquiries and contracts keep at its current pace, 2011 is going to be a busy year for me. I could not ask for anything more!
Except for a cozy, pretty office space 
I do not have a studio. I prefer to shoot on location and forced to be creative on the spot. For me, this allows my portfolio to constantly evolve and gives my clients something unique to their photo experience with me. However, this doesn’t mean that I have to settle for a lack of office. Au contraire mon frere – this means I get to be creative in home design which is my OTHER love. One of my closest friends and I are avid garage sale hunters. We know that behind someone’s trash really is a treasure. We enjoy trunk shows, auctions, and yes, even Goodwill hunts. Elbow grease doesn’t scare me. Drills, hammers, saws – bring it on! I take more pride in showing off my space when I know that it didn’t take an interior design professional to achieve it. So, after taking careful measurements I discovered I had a mere 67″ of space to make my office. What a challenge.
Thank God for IKEA! Honestly, that place is just the answer to all storage solutions. Why there aren’t more locations in Texas is beyond me! The closest to me is a good 50 minute drive WITHOUT traffic. And the next one is 2.5 hours away in HOUSTON. But , as luck would have it one of my best friends lives one block away from IKEA in Houston. I bet if they allowed her to live IN Ikea with me, she’d do it Or we’d at least have a fun slumber party with wine! I digress. I knew I needed a place to house my camera equipment since my toddler discovered my hiding space in my closet. I also needed quick access to contracts, pricelists, etc. I already owned my pretty little office desk from Target and I’m a fan of dark woods, white furniture and personal accents. (Yes, I did jump on that white accents bandwagon – ceramic animals a la Z Gallerie and all! When that ends I’m happy to say I’ve learned all about sanding/painting to make things new for the next phase of decor.)
The corner of this nook left me with 17″ of workable corner space. Yes, less than two feet, but I knew IKEA would have what I needed and did they deliver! ( Well no, not literally. I drove 2.5 hours back from Houston with this wedged tightly between the bucket seats & sticking out of my trunk. I’m telling you, when I’m on a mission NOTHING gets in my way).
What started out as nothing but a desk with a computer and printer on it has evolved into this.
Do you see the smile on my face ? I am definitely partial to it, but I think its DIVINE. My mind works a million times better when I’m surrounded by pretty pictures and the little things I love.
For those interested in knowing where to acquire anything seen here :
- black vertical storage bins – IKEA (sold in sets of 2)
- white shelf – ikea ; brackets – ikea
- frames – walmart
- ampersand paper holder – marshalls
- “you’ve got an angel” figure – hallmark
- pentax camera – gift
- silver pen holder – bath & body works candle holder
- corkboard – DIY by me – covered with damask wrapping paper held by tacks, some ribbon and removable mats to allow for easy photo changes
The Ikea 6 shelf storage bookcase WITH door is just perfect in every way! Its 15.5 wide, has adjustable shelves and an option to add interior lighting (which is coming after my next trip to IKEA). It stands 79 inches tall. It was meant to be right there.
And here is where my small office nook lives. I stop and think “imagine what I could do with an entire studio space!” Yes, I’m a dreamer.
I know what you’re thinking. NO COMMUTE? Heh. And yes, I often work in my pajamas. Except during a shoot. I promise not to show up wearing my pjs & house shoes to your event.
Well, there you have it. The “tour” of Keepsake Images mini-studio-space. I cull, edit, design,process, email, facebook ,blog and so on from this little pretty spot. I look forward to work more now when I open my sleepy eyes.
2011, I am so ready for you!
