WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE HERE AT JKE STUDIOS

Notice: The below photos are slightly outdated. As of January 2025, I’m reopening the studio for headshot sessions, however, there have been some “not small” changes that I want to share and make sure clients know what to expect when they arrive.

For the past dozen years or so, the studio (aka “garage”) has been a photography space first. Over this time, and on many occasions, our kids have held slumber parties down here while watching projected movies on the big white photography background. Down here kids have practiced martial arts and during the covid lockdown, it was a gym of sorts. However, over the past few months we did a bunch of home-remodeling as one of our kids moved out and another moved into the mother-in-law suite behind the studio. It was then that I realized that the space had much more potential to be used for family fun/recreation and had the opportunity for me to earn some big “dad points”. Since then, it’s been a gaming room for the now older kids as they play xbox and switch on a big projected screen hanging on the inside of the garage door, ping-pong and darts are played frequently, and we also recently hosted a cast party for our daughter in Inglemoor Theater’s drama program and this room was turned into an epic karaoke room.

That all being said…. I’ve decided that the “garage” is going to now be a “family-first” space, and a “photography-studio” second. Clients will walk in and might see Govee LED light strips dancing around (for New Year’s Eve, we had a fun Pink/Green “Wicked” watch party). There’s also a low-hanging light above and just behind where clients stand for their headshots. This light hands directly above where the ping-pong table is placed when it’s out being played. Due to the changes in the lights, there are now fewer rolls of seamless colored paper hung, ready to lower and use as a backdrop. Oh… and don’t be surprised if you see the super-plush area rug under where I stand now. It’s made a huge difference for kids watching a movie or playing video games down there while the parents are watching football or something else.

None of this has proven to change the quality of the images created here, although very tall individuals (6’3” and taller) might need to sit for their headshots whereas before it wasn’t a problem. Also, due to the changes in the ceiling lights, I will no longer attempt to shoot full-body images. Headshots and 3/4’s only.

Updated images/descriptions to come in the next week.

Cheers!

-Jason

Photography Space

This is the primary shooting space. As you can see, it’s a converted two-car garage, but the laminate flooring and black velvet curtains hopefully communicate my intent to show that I take this space seriously. Also, I try very hard to remove as many light-stands and electric cables off the floor as possible to allow as much mobility without creating a tripping hazard.

43” Tethering System

A feature that I absolutely love having in the studio is the ability to “tether” to this 43” television. This allows for myself, the client, and any other interested party present to immediately view what we are capturing at the time the image is taken. I use this so that:
1) Any time we change outfits, backgrounds, or lighting, we can take a quick shot and view the image to agree we like the changes.
2) My hope is that as we review the images taken, the client feels fantastic about their choices and for the 30-minute session, happy to make their selection, or for the longer photoshoots, excited to choose from an online proofs gallery to be delivered in about 24-48 hours. (Prior to tethering, I would show small thumbnails on the back of the camera and it was just not big enough to know what their potential is).

Staging/Prep Area

Immediately to the left of the photography space is this staging/prep area. Here I provide a place to hang any clothes to keep them from wrinkling, a large, lit mirror for the client/model, power outlets, and a table so nothing needs to be put on the floor.

Note that I keep sanitation wipes and Lysol that I use before/after every shoot to help keep the room clean and adhere to state regulations with regards to Covid19. I also keep a pump-bottle of hand sanitizer at the ready that I use frequently and is available to anyone.
Also, in the colder months, I have the industrial heater mounted on the ceiling to keep the space as warm as desired.