Though our home office/studio was alright, it is nothing flash, and because we are so far out of town, and so hard to find, I was keen to move into a place in town.
I didn't want to get tied up with a long lease though, not knowing what the future holds, and also because until the end of the year, I am still teaching 3 days a week, so I can only be at the studio three days during the week days, I didn't want to spend too much per week.
I am so happy, after scouring the town and seeing what was available, I approached a framing/arts supply shop in the main street. This place has great frontage, great parking, is in the main part of town, very accessible and has the feel I wanted for the studio.
I am so happy! They are clearing out all the art to make way for my studio. I get a large room at the front (with groovy floor boards and nice windows, exposed ceiling etc) and also another adjoinging room for a portrait studio (something I haven't had room for at the home office). This will bring in additional income and enable me to offer studio portraits for engaged couples in my packages!
There are really no other shop front Wedding studios in the Dandenong Ranges, so I really have the market!
I'll post pics soon. We are moving in next week!
Oh, and I am on a month to month basis, don't have to pay outgoings, and it is only $150 per week. I am even sharing the internet. And I get cost price frames and really cheap enlargement and canvas prints that they do inhouse! Perfect!! God is so good!

Yes, indeed, God is Great!

Congratulation in your new studio. Wish you the best.

That's fantastic Karen! I'm in Mt Martha, near Mornington, and at the moment just work out of home, mainly doing babies/kids, but the one best thing about having a studio, is the freedom of having another option when our wonderful Melbourne weather is not so nice.

All the best with it. I'd love to call in and say hello if I get up that way. Congrats.
Katie

Hi Katie! A fellow Melbournite I would love to have you visit! Please pop in (once we are in there of course).

Sounds promising - great things ahead!... Congrats!

Will do Karen. Thanks. Don't get up that way often, but I do have friends who recomend a chocolate place, I think at Olinda? May have to make some plans to get up that way.

Congrats again. I'd love to see some pics as you set up etc. Very excited for you.

So cool!! I dream of the day when I can say the same thing. I'd love to have my own storefront studio. Definitely post pictures

growing bussiness ahead, i would love to see the set up

Popped in to my new Studio yesterday before a Wedding Shoot. It is so cool!!! The owner has cleared out all the paintings ready for me to set up. He even has an electrition coming Tuesday who can help move power points and set up the LCD etc. He said don't worry about making holes in the wall... He has a friend that is a plasterer. And I don't need to purchase a wireless router, he has that and is swapping to a plan that suits both of us and we will share the cost. And he is going to mount my pictures and print them, cost price!! That means materials price only! Wow!
Pictures will be coming next week.

That'll be awesome, post pics when you get all set up!

Emily

Congrats!!

It's amazing what can happen when you leave your business in the hands of God.

Yes, thanks Ross, God has certainly been faithful! You know it's God when he blesses you even beyond what you pictured would be best!
Picked up my 42inch LCD for the Studio today. Can't wait to get it all installed and set up!

Definately true. I have seen it in my own business. 42 inch! thats things not a monitor its a projector, lol.

Hey new pics up here complete with the installed LCD
http://karenalsop.blogspot.com/

That is hot!! awesome studio you got there, im sure itll do you guys well! you should get a photo of you standing right in the centre of that studio with a huge smile!

Congratulations! That is AWESOME!

Wow! Gorgeous