Looking for office space?

There is a 270sf office for rent on the third floor above the emilie inc. studio at 227 Congress Street in Portland. It is $600/month (all utilities included. Shared bathroom with other office upstairs, the owners of the North Star Café). It is not designated as retail, but would be perfect if you currently work from home and want to get out of your house, if you're a writer, etc. Or, I'd love another wedding professional in the building! Email me for details.

more party pics

These are from my mom's point & shoot camera (which means, please excuse the red eye). :)

Row 1: Me & mom; Mom, me, Aunt Suzanne & Uncle George (from Vermont)
Row 2: Me & J's mom, Barbara; J and his mom (who traveled from Arizona!)
Row 3: My best friend Kara and my stepfather Steve; David & Elaine McCartney with me (I babysat their children throughout high school)
Row 4: Rich and Brad, J's father and brother (who traveled from Colorado); me & childhood friend Scott Edmunds

the grand opening

Even tho I have been working in my studio since May, I decided to mark the birth of this tremendous project with something official, fun, and a little fancy. So last Friday, about 150 people came over for drinks and hellos, and checked out the new space from 5-10p. The beginning portion of the night was a vendor preview for other professionals in the industry to have a chance to mingle and network, while the later portion of the open house was for friends, family and clients (some of whom traveled great distances to attend- thank you!). It was a smashing success, and it wouldn't have been nearly as such without the support from so many kind and talented vendors who donated or discounted their services for the event:

Aurora Provisions
Beautiful Days
Bei Capelli
Casco Bay Frames and Gallery
Debra Corey Designs
Flora Fauna
Harmon's & Barton's
Joya Beauty
Let Them Eat Cake
Maine Cakes & Cookies
music by Peter Miles
Old Port Wine Merchants
Puttin' on the Glitz
Signed, Sealed & Delivered
Simple Complexity Designs

An additional thanks to Port City Life Magazine and Portland Monthly Magazine for covering the event. And congratulations to Rachel McGarry and Kris Wright who won the drawing for a portrait session and a framed print by Casco Bay Frames & Gallery!

I was busy greeting and hugging all night long (brides and grooms, I have new-found respect for you!), so delegated the picture-taking to emilie inc. associate photographers Geneve and Wyndee who documented a bit of the festivities for me. I regret that there are not images of all our families and many friends who traveled a long distance to be there.


There were so many flower deliveries throughout the day from friends who sent their well wishes for the evening from afar. Thanks, all!

Yummy eats from Aurora Provisions in Portland's west end.



A stunning flower display from Harmon's & Barton's in Portland.

A coffee table display by Judy and her team from Flora Fauna.

Funky fruit and flowers by Debra Corey.

And garden casual from Kate Martin of Beautiful Days.

Gayle Forte of Let Them Eat Cake provided a beautiful emilie inc. wedding cake.

And Diane of Maine Cakes & Cookies made scrumptious starfish favor cookies for everyone in emilie inc. pink & brown.

If you don't know the music of Peter Miles, you need to. We spotted him on the list of performers at the North Star Café downstairs and were smitten with his sound from the first note. Peter did an amazing job providing a beautiful soundtrack to the event. I'm not sure how he didn't lose his voice after 5 hours!

A small reminder of my breast cancer Pink Initiative program.

A detail of some Cypress folios on display.

And you can't have a celebration party without the bubbly- pink, no less!

Some last minute adjustments before guests start to roll in.

emilie inc's newest associate Meredith manned the door with a clipboard and guest list to check off everyone as they arrived (here she chats with emilie inc. insurance agent Lisa Coughlan- thanks, Lisa!).

Joanne of Joya Beauty and bride Stefanie Crystal were a huge help with some last minute tasks. Stefanie is the bride in the canvas on the wall over her shoulder!

J played bartender for a minute to coordinator and flower designer Kate Parker before his brother Brad took over for the evening.

The studio starts to fill up!

I had the pleasure of getting prettied by Joanne McDonough of Joya Beauty, and Nancy at Bei Capelli for the evening.

J and I chatting with Laurie Hyndman, editor of Port City Life Magazine.

Chatting with Katina LaFazia, editor of La Bella Bride Magazine in Rhode Island.

L to R: Kate Parker, Lena Hartford and Joanne McDonough. Your one-stop shop for wedding flowers, hair, and make-up!

This is Charlie, the friend of my interior designer Tracy, who tagged along with her to the party with a fresh black eye (still didn't catch the story behind it). Joanne sat him right down and touched up his bruise. Ha.

L to R: Linda Pattillo, Sharyn Peavey & her daughter and Meagan Gilpatrick.

Family friends Lauren Nauman (facing) and Lisa Sullender.

Childhood friends Arwyn, Alan and Kelly mugging for my mom.

Checking out the frames.

Brides Sarah and Kelsie.

My stepmother Paula browsing.

My Nana and Grandpa giggling with J.

Beloved bride Alisa and her father Jon peeking at a book.

And lastly, my favorite pink and brown cupcakes sent by Tina and Molly from Chicago who couldn't make it. So sweet! Literally!

opening invite info

If the USPS failed to deliver your invitation to next week's studio opening celebration, here are the details. Please RSVP to 207.272.2285 or email (photo@emilieinc.com) no later than this Friday! You must be on the official list for entrance. Thank you! Hope to see you next week!

the other side of the camera

Portland Press Herald veteran photographer Doug Jones (he's been shooting for 30+ years) came to my studio yesterday morning to photograph me for John Rolfe's Shoptalk column which appears in today's paper. What an odd experience to be photographed for the newspaper. He walked in with a camera body and a wide angle lens (yes, I realize I look as wide as a cow. And what's with that tuft behind my right ear anyway?) and a flash on a monopod. He literally took 4 frames, and went on his way. I asked him if he had a lot of assignments that day, and he said things at the newspaper were painfully slow. I remember my newspaper days when I would spend as much time as necessary to meticulously get the perfect portrait, that both me and my subject were happy with (and would never pull out the wide angle lens!).

I digress... The article itself is quite fun and John did a decent job reporting everything I was rambling about (could there be any more run-on sentences?), with few errors (such as I don't have a wedding in South Africa, I had just received inquiry for one the morning of the interview. Fingers crossed, because that would be a great adventure!).

Click here to read the article in full.

cordially invited

Hundreds of invites were mailed last week to past and present clients, vendors, press contacts, friends and family announcing the official studio opening reception celebration on July 25th.

Thanks to the kindness, generosity and talent (!) of the following vendors, the evening will certainly be one to remember!

Aurora Provisions
Beautiful Days
Bei Capelli
Casco Bay Frames and Gallery
Debra Corey Designs
Flora Fauna
Harmon's & Barton's
Joya Beauty
Let Them Eat Cake
Maine Cakes & Cookies
music by Peter Miles
Old Port Wine Merchants
Puttin' on the Glitz
Signed, Sealed & Delivered
Simple Complexity Designs

If your invite did not make it to your mailbox, send me an email and let me know an updated addresses for you. It's an invite-only soireé and you have to be on the RSVP list for entrance.

First Friday Art Walk

Be sure to stop by the studio to say hello and have a little wine today from 5-8p as I'll be open during the First Friday Art Walk. It's a great opportunity to get out on this soggy evening and take a peek at the major local talent at various galleries, studios and museums. I missed the registration to be included on the official map, but I am listed on the website, and plan to participate in all Fridays from now on! Hope to see you!

ISO graphic designer

Three years ago I incorporated my business and changed the name from Emilie Sommer Photography to emilie inc. An integral part of that rebranding process was graphic and web designer Sharon Reiley, then owner of Idea Builder, based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Sharon has since had a beautiful baby girl Paige and has closed her design business. She is now focusing on children's portraiture. I'm so excited for Sharon's early success in photography, but am selfishly missing my go-to design expert.

I'm in need of someone equally as talented to help with a few little projects (notecards, price lists, etc) who has a similar style and who will consistently carry my brand. If you're a graphic designer and have some time for a few quick freelance projects, drop me an email with some samples or a website link where I may view some of your recent work.

Thanks!

The before pictures

Ok. So now that you have seen the amazing "after" images of the studio, take a gander at what this space looked like, pre-renovation, when my landlord bought the building a few years ago. I guess back in the day it was a shady (you think?!) after-hours club. Thanks to the vision of many long-time residents and new shop owners, the East End has quickly turned into one of Portland's trendiest neighborhoods (I can't wait for the rooftop martini bar construction to begin two buildings up from mine!).

Angle #1.



Angle #2.



Angle #3.



Angle #4.



WOW!

First day at the office

Armed with a cup of coffee from my new Keurig, I am all set up at the studio to work today! Unless I am out shooting, I will plan to be here most days from 10a-6p. Please be sure to call and make an appointment, just in case.

Pinch me!

I could hardly sleep last night because I was so excited for today! I popped out of bed early for one final cleaning of the studio and a few last minute additions to the walls before the art walk. At 10a, the balloons and signs went up outside my door, and I started distributing stickers on each visitor's map- those who received a sticker from each studio was entered to win a raffle.

I would say, in the 6 hour span of the walk, I easily had 100 visitors. I was very humbled by the kind people, many of whom gasped when they rounded the corner at the top of the stairs and peeked in the studio (a few asked if they could move in!). Everyone offered their congratulations and "welcome to the neighborhood," as well as tips for great brunch spots and neighborhood organizations to join. Mothers with not-yet-engaged daughters tucked my business cards into their purses with a wink. People marveled at the artwork, the beautiful light in the space, and the yummy cupcakes (yes, the mini version of my birthday party treats- I'm hooked!). It was a long day, but boy, what a great way to introduce emilie inc. to the East End and kick off the official wedding season.

Once the tour wrapped up, J and I headed to dinner at Flatbread with the emilie inc. associates and their families. What a treat to spend an evening with Geneve, Steve & Sage, and Wyndee, Pete, Olivia & Chloe. Really looking forward to working with you!

Here are a few pictures of today's set-up with the studio's finished look! Some of you may recognize photos of yourself on my walls!




















The work area is ready with an empty desk for a studio manager when I am ready to expand.

One observant (and obviously very hip) visitor exclaimed, "Wow! You have the cool 'American Idol' stools!!" :)



Mmmmm.... Two Fat Cats Bakery is dangerously close to the studio, just two blocks away.





L to R: (excuse the p&s red-eye): Geneve, Sage, me, Olivia, Wyndee and Chloe.

I'll never pass up the opportunity to hold a baby!


My heart is very full tonight. As cliche as it sounds, I feel so very lucky to be making my dream a reality. Thank you, everyone!! xo

furniture, revealed!

Voila!!! Here is the GORGEOUS meeting area furniture that arrived in that truck yesterday. I couldn't have dreamed of more beautiful chairs and couch! My designer Tracy did a fabulous job finding fabric to complement the emilie inc. brand, and a style to match the sleek, modern look I was going for.

The fabric on the chairs is so soft and velvety!


J and I spent the day with the dogs at the studio today hanging canvases and framed prints on the walls. It looks stunning! I will take some photos during the art walk tomorrow and post them for you to see, but you really must come take a look in person!

miracle!

So, after coming "this close" to getting on a plane on Wednesday to retrieve my furniture in North Carolina, I got on the internet instead and searched around for a freight company. I actually found one that could guarantee my studio furniture would be delivered in 2 days!! And so, I was ecstatic when I saw this truck pull up this afternoon in Portland!!! Yippee!

Pictures of the sumptuously yummy furniture to come tomorrow- it's amazing!

East End art walk

If you're in town on Sunday and would like to take a peek at the studio, come on over between 10a-4p as I'll be taking part in the Society for East End Arts annual studio tour!



I'm working overtime to get the studio ready, and am still not sure if my custom couch and chairs from North Carolina will arrive on time (I actually had a minivan reservation with the intention of hopping a plane early tomorrow to make the drive back to Maine, but just decided against the spontaneous road trip). No worries, there will be an official opening once everything is perfect!

studio progress

Things are moving right along with the studio! It's been a pretty surreal week watching this all come together! I'm still waiting on the custom couch & chairs, barstools and task chairs to arrive, but otherwise all of the furniture is at the studio! I chose pieces from West Elm, CB2 and IKEA to complement the dark brown bar area and the emilie inc. brand.

Here is how things are looking now:

The exterior sign is up! It came out gorgeous! Huge thanks to Rob of Curvwork for his skill.

We just finished painting this door brown on one side, white on the other. Rob will be putting my logo on this door into the studio as well.

The main meeting area. I know it looks a little sparse now! Imagine a cool couch & chairs around the rug.

Even tho everything is not perfect just yet, I had my first client meeting there this morning. Swing by next month to see updated Queensberry and Cypress samples!

The bar looking into the work area.

The work area.

Looking back toward the meeting room from the work area.

This can be used as a shooting or projection room. The stairs lead to what will eventually be a roof deck!

The full bathroom. I'm not planning on using the shower, but was excited when I found a brown circle shower curtain and even a brown trashcan with a pink inside!

And a pink water bowl is ready for Dakota (she'll be coming to the studio with me, assuming she's a good girl while she's there!).


So, as you can see, we've gotten a lot done! The next step is canvases and frames on the walls!

Many thanks to my mom, stepfather and J for helping assembling things last weekend. And to J for running over at a moment's notice this week with a drill to hang blinds, screws to hang paper towel holders, and other random favors. I couldn't have done this without you!

official!

Hooray! emilie inc. headquarters has an official address as of today! I'll spend tomorrow afternoon cleaning and touching up a little paint, and then I will be moving in most of the furniture this weekend!!!

(My mom and stepfather gave me the Coach breast cancer keychain as part of my 30th birthday gift specifically for the studio keys. Pretty perfect, isn't it?!).

paint-a-thon

I can't believe it, but we managed to get the studio painted this weekend in 14 hours! An extremely laborious process, the space now has the official emilie inc. pink and chocolate brown on the walls. Many thanks to my dad and step-mother Paula for their help. J was in DC for work, but returned this morning ready to help finish the job. I couldn't have done it without you all!

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. The floor is very slanted but that left door is actually level (we tested!).

Tracy chose the accent walls to be painted in brown. I think they look great with the cabinets, and it's a cool effect when standing in the front of the space looking to the back- the two walls melt together and look like a continuation of each other.

My father spent most of this day atop this ladder, meticulously cutting out the trim of the 10' ceilings. Thanks, Dad!

Cleaning up.

studio update

So, April 1st has come and gone. I am now 30 (and liking the way it feels quite nicely). But unfortunately we were unable to also celebrate the opening of the emilie inc. studio yesterday. Due to some unforeseen requests in the inspection earlier this week, we have to wait a little bit and hopefully I'll be able to occupy the space by the end of next week (fingers crossed) if all goes well.

I did go over to 227 Congress today, tho, to check on the progress. The space looks great! I am lucky to have a landlord who allowed my input when making several decisions, including the kitchen area. Instead of a typical kitchen layout, I created a clean, modern bar-like space with chocolate brown cabinets and a white counter top. There is no fridge (it will be tucked away in a back closet), dishwasher or oven- I don't need that. I wanted a cool area for entertaining that flows with the rest of the interior design we are after. I definitely think we achieved that!




Next step: painting!

I also met with Rob Verrier of Curvwork today who is working on my signage. It was so cool to see how things are coming along. I'll have the emilie inc. circle mounted to the brick on the front of the building (it is black in this print-out, but the type will be reversed when completed), as well as the interior stairway, the door into my space, and on a wall within my studio. After all the big purchases I have made to transform this space into my own, seeing the actual signs are what makes it feel very real to me.



Rob's pooch Charlotte.


Can't wait for next week!

Urban Dwellings on WCSH6

emilie inc.'s studio interior designer Tracy Davis of Urban Dwellings was interviewed for a news story last week describing a new affordable & green apartment complex she's working on in Portland. Units start at a reasonable $140K! For more information, check out the project's website for more information. And watch the video clip to meet Tracy!

227 Congress

After last fall's studio nightmare, I am happy to announce that after months of searching emilie inc. has found a home. The space is not as lofty and grand as the other, but it's a well-lit, newly-renovated gem and the landlord is someone J and I feel we would be friends with, not just business partners. That counts for a lot in my book.

It's at the base of Munjoy Hill in Portland's East End on the second floor above the North Star Cafe (a chill vegetarian cafe with live acoustic music every night of the week, and sometimes tango lessons!) and next to The Snug (a new trendy Irish pub). Within a block is Angela Adams (the infamous rug and handbag maker), a yoga studio, a few salons, trendy clothing shops and yarn stores. It's definitely the "up and coming" part of Portland, and I'm proud to be a part of the resurgence (up next is the transformation of a building around the corner into a multi-level restaurant and rooftop martini bar. Sweet!). And the best part? There are no meters! Gasp! Yes, there actually is free street parking in Portland and I've found it!

My space is 1,300sf and includes an open area for meeting with clients and hosting workshops, a kitchenette (I purchased the cabinets yesterday- chocolate brown to match the emilie inc. branding), an office nook, a small shooting space (with exposed brick walls), a full bath and private rooftop deck (the deck will be completed this summer). There are filtered views of the harbor and the bay from either sides.

Remember a few weeks ago I wrote about not knowing how I should celebrate my 30th birthday? Well, this is the perfect present! My lease starts April 1st... my birthday!

The renovations are still going on, but I took a few pictures with my iPhone this morning when I signed the lease. They aren't the best, but give you an idea (I know this is going to sound crazy, but I didn't want to take any with my professional camera just yet, so as to not jinx myself with what happened last time!).

Tracy Davis from Urban Dwellings is helping create a gorgeous interior space. Check back for updates as everything comes together. And expect a fabulous opening reception sometime in May! Hooray!