Ask me three years ago when I was starting to take photos of my little newborn that at this point I would be moving into my very own photography studio, I would have totally laughed at you.  What started as a hobby, turned into a passion and a business all at the same time.  It’s been a slow and steady climb learning as much as I can and reading and studying other photographer’s amazing work.  I know I still have such a long way to go and the learning never ends.  I love what I do and the flexability it gives me to still be a “stay at home mom” to Easton, who is almost 4!

 

June 1st I signed a lease on a new studio space in Old Town Scottsdale directly across from The Clayton on the Park and The Saguaro Hotel.  I shoot at the Civic Center Park quite frequently so it was a natural fit for me and the location was a dream come true.  Three big windows that allow enough natural light in to not have to use artificial light is any newborn photographer’s dream.  Since the space was originally a bit run down and being used for storage I was able to choose everything from paint to flooring. I had to fight tooth and nail, and pay a bit extra, to not have carpet in the space and its a good thing I did since my first two newborns I shot here both did their duty right on the floor during family shots.

 

One of the best parts of it is that I have the opportunity to shoot indoors and outdoors in the same session.  Especially with the summer heat here it is nice to have a place to come in and cool off but be able to go back out into the park for a few minutes for some outdoor shots.  The other part that makes me so excited is that I finally feel that I can separate home and work.  It has been something I’ve really been struggling with for the past year with the studio being at the house.  I would have to kick my boys out of the house for four hours while I did a newborn session.  For us women, blowing four hours at the mall is nothing but men might be a different story.  I have set three days a week to be at the studio for 4-5 hours at a time to work on editing, shooting, blogging, designing, ect.  The other days that I am at home I am in full mom mode and able to give Easton my 100% attention and not be worrying about what sessions I have to edit or who I need to get up on the blog.

 

In the next month or so I hope to have a fun little open house for everyone to come by and check it out, say hello, have a drink or two and see the space.  It really is all possible due to all of you that TALK and tell your friends, family, co-workers and strangers about me and what I do.  This year has already been my best yet and I hope to continue with that and bring more and more new and return clients joy in the images I provide for them.

The Before- where I was standing the walls went up.

 

Starting to get cleaned up and ready for the walls.

Walls are up and electrical getting a facelift.

 

That darn refrigerator was in there forever!  My poor landlord, Tom, couldn’t pawn it off on anyone.

Easton’s been a big helper throughout the process……He loves to nap here!  At least I have a couch for him now.

The view out my doors!  Double french doors leading to the park.

The backdoor which I use as my front door.

The Final Product, still a few details that need to be finished but I’m a proud new mommy!

Makeshift sign for now until I can order a permanant one.

Two of three shooting spaces.  The platform that was in my old home studio. I’m able to move baby right from the platform to the beanbag with hardly any interruption.

Shooting space number three.  I usually raise the crossbars for family shots with baby or can leave it down for another prop set up.  Works great with toddlers too.

My desk and work space.  As you can tell I need a few more photos up.  The plan is to do six square images of Easton in all black and white.

I saw this canvas at TJMaxx the other day and it spoke volumes to where I am in life.

Shelving unit with canvases, standouts, framed images, albums and examples for clients to peek at while in the studio.  I’m hoping within the next few months to go to in person ordering.

The back work/nursing area.  Completely curtained off for moms to have a little privacy while feeding the baby.  Also my work space.

Cortney Talbott Photography: The Studio

7340 E. Main Street Suite 115

Scottsdale, Arizona 85251