I’ve been looking for options for a studio space for some time now.  Most often, I don’t need a studio, but during the colder months, a space is really important.  I have found clients aren’t always comfortable inviting you into their home, maybe because they aren’t pleased with the look of their surroundings.  And quite frankly, it becomes a difficult task trying to locate a place to shoot that has great light and a pleasant atmosphere.

I located this beautiful spot, with just the right amount of light, hardwood floors, beamed ceilings and I love it.  The problem..it won’t be ready until sometime next year.  So I decided it was in my best interests to use what I had available for now….my office.

My office is certainly no large space, but since I remembered Sandy Puc started shooting in her bedroom, I decided I wouldn’t let the lack of space deter me.  I have 14×17 to play with and low ceilings, but the only other thing I need in my office is my desk, so I knew I could swing it for what I needed.

So a couple of weeks ago, we started cleaning out and moving things around.  Good heavens, I have no earthly idea where all this stuff is going to go.  My house is the size of a tea bag.  That being said, I did put a lot in storage and the rest I will contain with inexpensive storage goodies from IKEA.    It’s like my home away from home, where each nifty gadget and container is one step closer to my dream of total organization….NOT!

The first thing I needed to address was hanging my backgrounds.  I found these Manfrotto background hooks at B&H Photo.  They are huge, but since there is little storage space, I got the six hook bracket, that way,  I would have some room for paper storage.  Tripping over them is definitely NOT an option.  I also purchased Expan Drives, which hold the paper on the hooks and allow for easy paper roll up.  The system works great; it was inexpensive and easy to wall mount.

Next was designing what little space I have into something attractive, client friendly and junk free.  Easier said than done, but it’s really taking shape.  First was picking out the flooring.  I decided to put in laminate, because it is going over concrete and there is a small potential for water if my sump pump ever backs up again.  So why laminate then?  Because I can replace pieces of laminate, but if hardwood swells, I am in deep doo doo.  Excuse the stinky phrase.

There was then the decision to put in windows.  I jumped on that one and ordered three double windows, which is a somewhere in the neighborhood of 13ft. of light!  Whoo hoo!  My office, aka cave, has never seen such lighted goodness.  If all else fails, I will have a really nice sun room..

These are a few of my choices and it may change and it may not, but either way, I can’t wait to show you the finished product!

OK…I know, I know…you want to know where these cool findings came from huh?  First is the Umbra Desktop Fotofalls I am using for a card display.  The small Shabby Side Table is from Target, (couldn’t find a link, but it was in my local store) as well as the Gerber Chair.  The desk is local and the floor is from Lowes.

As I sit here trying to muster up the makings of a new post, I can’t  help but wonder where this blog is going.  Much like a photograph, a blog should have a focal point and at some point, this blog’s focus was lost.

There was a time, which seems like an eternity ago, that I posted regularly and with total enthusiasm.  Always finding the humor in the midst of the mundane and a filled glass where most would see (ehem…excuse me,) only backwash.  Of course, that’s when life resembled something that looked more to me like normal…or whatever my perception of normal was.

At that time, I (we) were largely defined by the fact that we were homeschoolers.  I was a struggling single mother who had opened a bookstore to stay home and homeschool my children, while being the caretaker of a mom with an acquired brain injury.   I had spunk and durability, having withstood many an injury to my spirit, I maybe felt a little too good.

But things are different now. So much has happened since then, it would be really hard to nail it down in only one sentence, but since I have resolved to start the new year with transparency and authenticity, there is no time to start like the present.

The overview…I am still a single homeschooling mother, which may or may not be a surprise to those of you who have grown to know me online over the years.  I will not go into detail, but it has been an ugly year to say the least.  I am recovering from a serious burnout of sorts, I now help care for *two* ailing parents, I finally put my youngest in nursery school to give us some time to regroup; even put an end to a chapter in our lives that needed to come to a quick termination after the closing of the bookstore.   This of course is only scratching the surface; however, I will spare you the gory details and hold tight to the fact that we are the mend and only Jesus will bring us through this difficult season.

I have since started a photography business, out of necessity, spent loads of time getting to know my children, and taken more time to nurse my ailing soul, which needed a great deal of nourishment.  I have come to realize, when faith is put to the test, there are really only two possible endings.

My point is, I am no longer the same person I was when I started this blog.  And therefore, it cannot continue as it was.  I have struggled with this fact for sometime; not wanting to stop blogging, but not able to articulate the changes occurring in my life.

But I digress.  As time permits I will still continue posting, but my focus will be more about photography.  I will still enjoy and freely share more personal things, because first, I want to, and second, I feel that a measure of transparency is needed between a writer and a reader for a personal connection to be made.  However, I need to write with a purpose, or writing becomes a task and a burden and I have felt that for long enough.

So there it is…..and it only smarts a little.

Here’s to a joyful New Year.