This week Marlisa and I decided to start the construction that would give us a dedicated space for a full time studio. After much debating I reluctantly gave up my Man Cave. Yep, no more theater. I sadly pushed the button to roll up my 120" theater screen for the last time. Carted off two rows of theater seats and packed up my HD projector and  Harmon Karden  surround sound system. All that remains are the five in-wall speakers that will be used for background music while the studio is in use.

 I have to be honest though. We really needed to do this. With this room set up as a theater on one side and gym/ workout space in one corner, it was a real pain to constantly setup and tear down with the amount of photo work she does. It had got to the point that sometimes she would actually delay or push back doing a shoot, due to the effort it took to set up for a indoor shoot. Not to mention that it was a cramped space to work in.
 In this picture you can get a feel for what I'm talking about. After moving the front row of theater chairs up onto the platform in front of the second row, this was what our first setups used to look like. With only a two light setup it was tight. Our setup has really grown since this photo was taken. Our original studio strobes have been replace with 4 Paul Buff Einstein E640s. There's a large cabinet that now holds all the softboxes, umbrellas, reflectors, grids, cables and others items when not in use. Folding light stands have been replaced by   "C" stands. We now have a Manfrotto Super Boom, which needs a room to it's self. So the decision was made to convert this space solely to photography. It can be entered through the house or from outside, as it has a door that exits directly in a small courtyard patio in the front of our house.
 

 So with all the unnecessary electronics out, platform removed, and replaced with a new section of floor. It is time to make the required alterations to make this a comfortable work space. First order of business takes place in the back corner. This area used to be home to a huge home gym with all the cables and weights. This will become a Cyclorama. A permanent built-in seamless white background that extends out 15' on the floor. A small existing closet in the room will be enlarged to accommodate all of props and accessories we have gained over time. A computer workstation will be added, as well as studio camera stand and a folding product shot table.