7/2/08

Wow...has it really been almost a month since I last posted? I promise to try to get on here this wkend and post new pics. If I only had internet access at the shop.....well that's another long story that will just make me angry. :)
Quick update on the happenings at 212 N. Main....

If you've driven down Main Street since Friday morning, you may have noticed my AWSOME sign..(and window decals)....If you need ANY signs, decals, etc made for your business or personal....you should call the wonderful guys over at C&M Signs in Sweeny....Excellent service, FAST turn around...Took my idea and made it even better. If you haven't seen it....be sure you glance my way as you drive down Main Street.

ok...bear with me...I'm trying to rem. what I last updated...

We have finished painting the reception area, studio, office, kitchen....that's all the painting for now.

I have hung pictures in the windows and have filled my cabinet with a small selection of my faves. If you didn't know this about me...I have a frame addiction...well you prob. didn't know it because I have just recently discovered it....and ALL the stores that I buy frames at aren't helping with their 50% off sales.

I have a "land line" & "fax line" hooked up now...was supposed to have internet 3 wks ago but still don't. SOOOO, I decided to switch my net to broadband from the cable company. The cable guy is coming tom. (THURSDAY) to hook up cable for the reception area & internet for the office....WOOOHOOOOOOO!!!! I LOVE the cable company now....and I won't discuss the phone company.....now I have to sit on hold listening to their "wonderful" music and recordings to cancel the stupid DSL. So not looking forward to listening to their recordings for another hour of my life. Speaking of the phone....my phone # isn't changing...the # I'm using now is a cell phone and I will continue to have it (979-480-4056) but the "land line" # is 979-647-0040.

hmmmmm what else.......

Oh, I've moved the file cabinet & work table into my office...still need to find a computer desk but I can't find one that I like that fits the space. It's driving me wacko.

The plan is to finish setting up this wkend so that I can get the Fire Marshall out next wk (hopefully) to do the final ok on it so I can open my doors.

If you'd like to be notified by mail or email of when I open my doors, please pop me an email and I'll let you know when I'm open. v7photos@aol.com

Well I need to get to bed as I have another long day tom. Hope to see y'all soon!

6/5/08

Isn't this pretty...it landed on the door frame when my brother & Jerry were making the door where it opened out.



Well...it's been a busy busy week. This past Sunday was my preachers last Sunday at our church so we had a dinner for him. This Sunday we are having another dinner for the new preacher. So add that to the craziness at the studio....I'm exhausted.
We are gonna miss you Alex & Kelly (and the kiddos)!



Let's see...an update on the studio....
We have painted the reception area & 2 of the 3 walls of the studio area.



ohhhh yeah......and the most exciting news.....Jerry bought me a Cow....yes a cow...
Meet the studio mascot "Bessey"


We bought her from our neighbors and Jerry rolled her down the road to our yard. We will be moving her to the Studio after we get everything set up.

5/28/08 -Update on building

Let me just say....I'm tired....I can't wait until the remodel is done and I can relax a little.  We have been going to Sweeny every night after work to work on the building...trying to get it ready to open.

I have a banner hanging in the front window as a temp. sign.

We finally narrowed down the paint color choice from these:

to....well.... you will just have to attend the grand opening to see the final color selection

As of last night:

The city Electrical Permit guy has been and checked the electrical work we had done and said it looked fine to him.  YEAH!!!!

Johnie & Jerry got the door turned so it opens OUT.

The guys took down the "Magic Nails" signs for me.

Jerry & I finished installing the ADA handrails in the restroom.

We installed the smoke detectors in all the rooms & rehung the fire extinguishers & put signs with them.

We cleaned the walls in the front room getting it ready to paint.  Oh and we bought the primer & paint so hopefully if all goes as planned we can start painting this wkend.

Last night we put up all the celing tiles that were not messed up in some way (have to go buy more....have I mentioned that I HATE going to Lowes, Home Depot and any other hardware store???  if not...well I HATE it!  )  Oh and earlier in the wk, the guys adjusted the wires holding the ceiling so that it was level all the way across instead of drooping in the center (while I ran around the room for them holding the laser level reader for them).

This is what it looked like as of when we left the building last night.  It's getting there.

Now I'm waiting on the city guys to come and tell me if I've done everything to their specs to get my occupancy so I can really get hard & heavy to open.

5/19/08 -Construction Started

5/19 I officialy have possesion of the building & CONSTRUCTION has started....we have to take down the ceiling tiles so Jerry can pull the old wire so the electrician can run the new "to code" wire.  My brother has been wonderful helping us get the toilet switched out to an "ADA" toilet to meet code and so we have a clean toilet (the old one was just gross). 

Brother & Jerry taking down the ceiling tiles so the electrician can have easy access to the wiring (which starts tom., FRIDAY 5/23)

Opps...did I do that????  lol...I pulled the hair station off the wall so it could go in the trash

these pics are the front room as of yesterday (5/22)...most of the wire is gone, no power in the building.....my brother has the water hooked up along with the water heater (except for electricity to actually heat the water) and my NEW TOILET!!!!

5/19/08- Before pics of V7 Photo's New Home!

Well...it's official...V7 Photos will be moving from my home to it's own Studio space in Sweeny.

Thought I'd share some pics of before, during & after as I've been requested to do so.

The building before I bought it:
Let me just say it's kinda weird how the building was left...it's like they just decided to send everyone home one day without warning and close up shop.  there was nail polish out, shampoo & dye open, cotton open, nail decor sitting out ready to apply, envelopes stamped & addressed in a bag to take to the post office....it was just very weird....

Outside -front of building

Outside -I LOVE this bush....soooo pretty but thorny...it's at the back corner of the building in the empty lot beside it (that belongs to me as well)

Inside -still with all their junk

AFTER PURCHASE....before construction started
The front 10' will be the "reception" area and the back part will be the "studio" area

haven't figured out the "fish" in a nail salon yet....but they are now down for the most part...have 1 section left to "pop" off the wall

Office

Back Yard (from left to right)

Dressing/Changing area (also storage of backdrops, etc) (behind curtains..which are going bye-bye is where I will store things like mop/broom, tp, papertowels, etc....it's a shower right now) & the door at the end is the bathroom

Browning-Brown Wedding 4/26/08

Here are a few of my fave pics from the Browning-Brown Wedding on April 26. They were such a fun & happy Bride & Groom. Nicole (my assistant photographer) & I had a blast taking their pics and helping them to "Preserve a moment in their families life, one portrait at a time". To see the rest of the portraits from the wedding, please visit their albums at www.v7photos.smugmug.com.

5/13/2008

Well...I've been searching high & low for the "right" location & building to buy and I've finally found the new home of V7 Photos. I am in the process of buying the "Magic Nails" building on Main Street in Sweeny (2 buildings down from Stop N Go). I signed my part of the papers today and should have the keys by Friday. There are a few things that need to be done to bring the building to "code" but if all goes as planned, I should hopefully be moving in over there before the end of June.

I'll post another blog when I open my door in Sweeny. Anyone that joinds my mailing list (myspace &/or email) before I send out the bulletin abou the "Grand Opening" will receive a special offer that no one else will get. So, be sure to share with your friends & family (be sure to tell them to let me know that you referred them to me so that you get credit fo the referral).

Unless something crazy happens & I get moved in sooner than planned, the Dad & Me limited edition shoot will be at the current studio location (621 Loggins, West Columbia). Spaces are filling up for the Dad & ME LE shoot so be sure to book your spot soon. Print & bring this page with you for a bonus 5x7 from the shoot.

MySpace

Just wanted to tell y'all.....I started a MySpace page as well. The address is: www.myspace.com/v7photos

1/16/2008

Well.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

not really sure what happened to 2007...and the scary thing is it seems like 2008 is flying to0.

I make a promise to do better at posting here during 2008.

In the coming wk I'll be posting some portraits I did in 2007.

I would like to thank EVERYONE who allowed me to photograph them in 2007 and help me get started. I would also like to thank everyone for the kind words & encouragement. I can't wait to watch your family grow through the photos.

See ya soon and be sure to check out my website for specials & coupons. Want to sign up for exclusive e-mail specials??? Be sure to send me an e-mail asking to join the mailing list. (include your name, address, phone & e-mail)

Catch ya laters!!!

Starting Up

Well...I've just about got the studio set up. I've got my DBA from the state as well as my Tax ID#....YEAH!!!!!

I decided to start this blog just to let y'all know when I get new stuff, specials, etc......hope to see ya soon.

Anna