Simple Question Project • Carmen

I was wrapping up for the day at the studio when Carmen walked in. She asked "Is this for real?" I replied "It sure is!"

So I explained to her the question, if money was no option, what would your dream job be, it could be anything?

Her response was that she would like to work in Social Services and be able to give back to the community. She explained that as a 60 year old she has turned her life around from selling her jewelry for drug money to getting clean, moving to Maine and receiving her Bachelor's degree from USM with the goal to go for her Master's.

Carmen - Social Services

I could have talked with Carmen for a while and learn more about her journey, however another commitment called, I hope that she stops in again and fills me in with her progress. I really enjoy the conversations and stories I hear from this simple question project. With the summer pretty much here (better be by now!) I hope to get many more responses this year.

Simple Question Project • Eugene

I met Eugene when he came by a few weeks ago and asked if he could wash my windows for $4. A ridiculously low price I told him he was more than welcome to, however that I was not going to pay him $4.

He has since stopped by a few more times, once to chat about photography and a possible shoot he would like me to do for him and then again today to clean my windows again.

He asked about the question and if he would qualify -- I said absolutely! It has been a bit slow on the project with the winter and all hindering people from walking by as often.

Eugene's dream job is to be a recording artist, something I should have known as the shoot he would like me to do in the future is for an album cover. We talked more today about possible backdrops for his shoot and he likes the idea of the river, because, like a river, our lives are always moving, always changing. Fluid.

Here is Eugene.

A Year in B&W - January 2nd

This didn't turn out quite as I had hoped, perhaps I will try again soon.

I love the light that comes in through the windows at the studio, a few days ago it was awesome on the shelf I have that houses a few crocheted stuffed animals I made as well some wooden birdhouses I had gotten for a mini-shoot. It was one of those that I should have taken then, because it just wasn't the same when I actually picked up the camera.

A Year in Black & White - My 365 Project - Day 1

January 1
This alley way is a pain in my ass because of the issues it and the neighboring building are causing to my building, but when the light was shining through when I parked today I couldn't help but want to photograph it. Not to mention before a few months ago you never would have gotten sun in the alley way as there were large buildings at the end blocking the light.

Simple Question Project • Mary

Saturday afternoon after Halloween, just before closing, Mary came into the studio inquiring about the sign on the chalkboard.

I explained my project and what the free portrait entailed. I think she was a bit surprised by the fact that it was a "right now" portrait but was a great sport about it.

Where it was later in the day we didn't have as much natural light as I would have preferred. But we did get a nice shot. While I was taking her portrait for the project she noticed the Halloween set I still had up so I took a few of her with that set up as well.

Mary's dream job is to be a mother. After telling me about her children and grandchildren I found she was like me, and had the opportunity to do her dream job. 

Charlie • 3 Year Update

So Mara & Charlie stopped by the studio the other day for Charlie's 3 year update. Seriously, I can't get enough of this kid. Getting a 3 year old to stay still and in a good pose is usually a challenge, but Charlie rocked it!! It doesn't hurt that his giggle and smile are insanely contagious. He brought the charm and we got some great shots.

I suggest having a special theme for each birthday update, something that is consistent in each one. With Charlie I purchased him an adult size dress shirt and tie. We will take at least one picture of him in this same shirt and tie each year until he is 18 or he outgrows it, whichever comes first. Here he is in the shirt & tie for his two year and three year update.

2 Year

3 Year

Here are some other favorites from this shoot.

I have a bunch of ideas on different themes to carry through yearly shoots. Want to hear more? Contact me & we can talk about starting a theme for your little one!

Simple Question Project - Gordon

So I started this project one day after three unexpected people stopped into the studio. Originally I thought I would like to photograph each person who came in, however seeing as many people may be put off by that idea, word would travel "She's the girl that takes your picture upon entry", then I would have no visitors, I soon revised my idea. I also wanted a story behind each of my visitors. So I came up with a (in my mind) simple question, "What is your dream job?".

For the dreamer that I am this is an easy question for me to answer. It is also a question that was asked of me during an interview almost two years ago, and one that I have since asked a handful of people. It is a question that after I honestly answered for myself started to solidify my plans to open the studio. Would you care to guess what my dream job is?

Gordon was one of my unexpected visitors the day this project was born. A sweet, simple older man, Gordon was a regular at the Pharmacy I managed before coming to the studio full-time. He is now a regular to the studio stopping in most every day to say "hello" and get a hug.

When asked "What is your dream job?" His reply was simple, to work at the new inn across the bridge as either a dishwasher or maintenance, doing odd jobs. Everyone has dreams, I am hoping I can help to make Gordon's come true, even if just for a day.

Gordon - Dishwasher, Maintenance Man

Simple Question Project - Abdi & Aden

Yesterday I heard two guys outside the studio talking about the chalkboard I have out front with the question written on it. I peeked around my computer screen to see one of them peeking back at me. I stood and invited them in. At which I introduced myself and asked them, if they could have any job in the world, what would their dream job be. I found it very interesting that these two young guys didn't even have to think about it as they are still at the age of dreamers.

Abdi said he wanted to be a weight lifter and Aden a soccer player. I hope to see them back soon to give them their portraits and encourage them to follow their dreams, and at the very least to dream.

Aden- Soccer Player

Abdi - Weight Lifter

J. Family • Maternity Shoot

It finally happened!! I took my first shoot in the new studio!!!!

It wasn't entirely finished, still had a good part of the floor to finish, but the shooting area was complete and that's all we really needed for right then. We had other dates set as possibilities as baby J. wasn't due until the 24th, however it is really good we did them when we did, as baby Analena made her appearance less than 48 hours later!

The family, Amber, Adam & Evan J. are good friends of ours having been on our bowling league for the last three years, and Adam & my DH going way back to elementary school.

I had a blast with them, Amber had some really great ideas! I could tell with all the pink props she brought she was excited to not be the only girl in the house finally :-)

The rain held off so we took a walk to the top of the Auburn River Walk up by Great Falls for some outdoor pictures before heading back to the studio for some shots indoors.

This one was Adam's idea, too much fun!

I really had a great time with them and am happy to call them the studio's first customers! I can't wait until they come back for Analena's newborn shoot!! I'm also thinking about adding something to my maternity marketing about shoots with me lead to baby's in less than 48 hours. Whaddya think??

Had Our First "OH SH*T!!!!"

We had our first "OH SH*T!!!!!" moment at the building last night....
Two days ago while I was cleaning I found that the downstairs bathtub (the one in the studio) had no water to it. So last night when both Kevin & I were there he recalled shutting something off in the basement so he went down to turn it back on while I stayed upstairs to test it.

He flipped the lever and we heard water running. The initial, "Oh fhew, it works." wore off very quickly when we not only heard water running, but rushing, and worse yet, DRIPPING! Why such a bad thing, well because I hadn't yet turned on the faucet in the tub to test it, so where was this water coming from?????

I rushed from the bathroom to the head of the stairs to tell Kevin that wasn't it, when to my horror I saw water pouring down one of the walls in the back room! "Shut it off!!!!"

Once turned off, Kevin emerged from the basement and saw what I saw. "Oh, Sh*t!" -- my thoughts exactly.

Fortunately we found where the water was coming from, upstairs in the apartment they had done all new plumbing before we moved in. However they didn't quite "finish" the old plumbing, as they had one copper pipe in particular that they just sawed off and left open. This is where the water comes rushing out when that little yellow lever is turned.

Needless to say, I will be putting a "DO NOT TOUCH" tag on that pesky little lever, and when we switch out the water heater in a few years we will be taking that whole pipe out!

As for a status update -- all the carpet is out from the studio. We have purchased the floating (laminate) flooring, underlayment & tile that is to go into the main space down there, waiting on the tile & underlayment to come in before we start getting the floor in. Wednesday I spend about 4 hours scrubbing the sub-flooring with bleach and water then hand drying it with a towel so that the water doesn't soak into it and get it all wobbly. Got my workout that day for sure. It paid off though as the studio doesn't smell musty anymore! Now it just smells slightly like a pool :-p

Until the rest of the flooring supplies come in our next project is the shower in the apartment. Currently there is only a tub, but the faucets has the fixtures to add a shower, so guess what we are doing.... adding in a shower, and in the process making a half wall with shelving on the other side. Will update with photos once we get going!

We Have a Home!

Signed, Sealed & Delivered, the building at 154 Court Street is ours!!!

Now the work begins! We started by tearing up all the carpet in the studio space as well as took some major ice buildup off the meters.

I will be heading in today to shovel the back entrance as the kitchen appliances come on Monday (thanks mom!). Have shown the apartment once already and have a few other inquiries that have come in as well. Hopefully we will have her rented soon! Below are some pictures of the apartment.

Thinking of putting in some top cabinets in the kitchen, time to go look into that project!