The story behind the Attic Room
Over the past two years of running my own business, I have learnt that saying yes to the scary things (which is always so hard) can take you to places you thought you would never get to!
When the Attic Room came along I was definitely NOT ready. Or at least I thought I wasn’t. The thought of moving my business into a studio space had always seemed like an absolute dream to me, but also one that felt like many years away! But I’m so glad I took a chance on the space because it has opened up so many doors for my business, and allowed me to have further creative freedom, bettering the services I can offer for my clients.
Transforming the space into a fully functioning studio has been a real journey. Here’s the full story!
Wind back to August 2020, I was chatting to a pal of mine, about how running a photography business from my tiny living room wasn’t working for me anymore. I wanted to take my business to the next level but I wasn’t sure when or how to do it. I was worried that it was ‘too soon’ or ‘not the right time’ to take this step. The next day (couldn’t have timed it better!) said pal actually found the space on an ad on Facebook Marketplace and sent it to me. I was feeling hesitant, but went to check it out in real life the following day. I instantly saw the potential for a studio space and ended up snapping it up within a matter of days.
The day I picked up the keys and the space before renovating
I signed up for this knowing that there was going to be A LOT of work involved, but was totally up for the challenge if it meant that I was going to have my own little place to home all of my weird and wonderful props, to get creative with my product shoots and even host some clients there too!
Day 1 of studio DIY
Soon to discover how MUCH work actually needed doing and that spending half an hour taking selfies wasn’t going to do me any favours (I continued to do it anyway because selfies are life).
What I thought would be ‘just ripping up an old carpet’ turned into a whole lot more work than that and I spent the following two months basically just covered from top to toe in paint, dust or sweat! The carpet had, in fact, been glued down onto some chipboard, and then stapled into the floorboards (help). Once this was removed, hundreds of nails & staples had to be hammered down into the floorboards. I still sometimes catch my feet on the odd one which makes for a lovely flash back. Alongside this were the added jobs of fixing up the walls, sanding and prepping the floorboards for painting, painting about five coats of white paint everywhere... and the rest!
With the help of amazing friends and family and working every evening and weekend for two months straight, the studio finally started to come together, and the rest didn’t feel so painful any more.
The ultimate goal with the Attic Room was to create a happy space, which is full of energy and colour where I can bring my client’s businesses to life through vibrant and fresh imagery. I also want the space to be inviting, where clients can come and get involved in the shoots themselves and feel at home here! Situated in the centre of Bury St Edmunds, the studio is surrounded by coffee shops and the lovely picturesque town, which can make for a really nice day out!
Since opening the Attic Room I have shot lots of wonderful products where clients have sent their products to the studio for me to get creative with them, I have also hosted clients in the space for shoots, which has been amazing. I can’t wait for what’s to come, I’ve got so many exciting ideas up my sleeve on how I can use the studio - so watch this space.
Fancy coming to the Attic Room for a shoot?
Get in touch and let’s get planning!
