My husband lovingly converted half our basement into a working photography studio for me this past fall. He put in new flooring, a drop ceiling, new walls and wiring and much more. Even our 3 year old son helped out with the construction! It has been an excellent addition to my business. I now have a space to photograph when the weather's too cold for outdoor sessions and the perfect setup for newborns and infants. Plus cake smashes!!!

Here are some cell phone photos of the space and it's construction:

                               Building the New Studio 1Husband teaching our son how to Spackle the new studio for Megan Cross Photography. Rustic Wall BeginningsWalls going up in the new studio that would eventually be stained a dark, rustic tone. Building the New Studio 2New walls going up in Megan Cross Photography's new studio. My husband built it all himself. Here we see new drywall and spackle.

And the finished product (cell phone photos again, ugh!):

Back wall painted in a cream color with several other backdrop options hung above and easy to pull down when needed. Baby doll modeling on the rug :)

Finished Studio Layout 1Megan Cross Photography's finished home photo studio, with light set up and doll modeling. Far end of the studio, with the cream/bone wall, plus storage seen in the foreground.

Other wall, called my 'barn wall'. Stained wood boards to match the dark wood flooring. The flooring can be moved around and added to as needed.

Finished Studio Layout 2Megan Cross Photography's finished home photo studio. Entrance side of the studio, with rustic wood wall and matching flooring and vintage upholstered chair.

Storage area and changing table: My son is too big for his changing table now, so this was the perfect spot for it for clients who come in with little ones. Diaper changes, outfit changes, plus storage for bonnets, hats, blankets, baskets and more underneath! Hanging on the wall there is an assortment of newborn wraps, blankets and hats. And for toddlers who need an activity while being photographed, who doesn't love a rocking horse?!

Finished Studio Layout 2Entryway section of Megan Cross Photography's new studio, with various newborn wraps and props hung on the wall and a changing table for storage and client use.

Here are a few shots to show you how the studio backgrounds look when they're photographed with my studio lights and my real (non cell phone) camera.

Barn Wall:

studio basket propRustic painted basket prop with sheer wrap for newborn photography.

Cream Wall:

Enamel bowl studio propWhite enamel bowl prop for Megan Cross Photography's studio. Can be used for newborns and kids all the way up to 2 years old.

After many months of construction, the studio was up and running for clients starting the beginning of 2016!