Our New Studio Space Shockoe Bottom

By Jada Parrish

Posted: 02/02/16

Category: Personal

Location: J&D Studio 20/20

David and I started J&D almost 4 years ago. I had just graduated from college having majored in photography and it had long been a passion of David's, so we decided to give it a shot. In the beginning the majority of our shoots were of friends, family, and friends of friends, but over time our client list began to grow and J&D really started to take off.

It has been such a journey. Owning your own business is filled with unexpected challenges that if you are able to put the time in and figure out ways to overcome make them the whole endeavor is so rewarding. David and I knew absolutely nothing about business when we started out. All throughout college my Dad had been pushing me to take accounting and business classes, but I was always quick to shut him down....little did I know 4 years later I'd be reading books about accounting, investing, and business in my spare time trying to learn as much as I possibly can. Jokes on me!

We spent the past 4 years pretty much working out of our living room having no boundary between our work space and home life. Every now and then we'd start to go a little stir crazy after realizing we hadn't left the house in 3 days straight. 

I'd wake up every morning, take a shower, throw on some yoga pants (strictly for comfort purposes), and make the long commute from the bedroom to the living room. I have to admit I really enjoyed working from home 90% of the time. But as our workload increased and our services expanded, we realized the only way for J&D to grow beyond just the two of us is to move beyond the walls of our tiny home.

We got the keys to our new studio yesterday and the painting and decorating process is in full swing! I have to admit that as we picked up the keys and walked into the studio for the first time, my stomach was a ball of nerves. I had gotten so comfortable with J&D the way it was, and this next step is a big one. It's a little scary, but we're ready to go for it and rise to the occasion.

As I sit here watching the boys paint (I lost my painting privileges), I am so hopeful for what the future has in store. I can't wait to make this place our own and host client meetings, parties, boudoir marathons, and so much more in our new studio.

Here's a few sneak peeks of how it's coming along! Excuse the poor quality iphone pics! I promise I'll take nice ones once it's finished!

Thanks so much for the continued support. We are so grateful to everyone who has been a part of this crazy journey with us. I can't wait for you all to come and visit once it's finished!