#SaveTheLoungeStudio

The Lounge Studio is 2 East London based fully equipped photography and videography studios available for hire.

My name is Labelle and I founded The Lounge Studio, around 4 years ago, from the living room in my house, so upcoming creatives had an affordable yet equipped space they could learn and grow in, hence the name “The Lounge”.

(An image from my home studio) 

After a lot of hard work and saving I was finally able to afford a commercial premise. However shortly before moving day I became very unwell and was rushed into hospital several times. A long stay in ICU later, I was diagnosed with a rare Auto-immune condition known as Stills Disease, which is chronic and incurable. I then had to battle from being a fit and healthy 19 year old to being fully dependent on my parents and still, to this day, taking medication daily. I fought and put everything I had into the business realising that The Lounge Studio would be my future and finacial security as I am no longer able to work a normal 9-5 job and didn’t want to stay home relying on money from the government.

(apologies for the graphic images)

Putting everything I had on the line I decided to go ahead with expanding and so moved from my living room to a lovely studio space, literally 1 day out of Hospital and even did a shoot the next day as bookings were already coming in! Within no time we were supported highly by the creative community and quickly become fully booked. We have been lucky enough to welcome creatives from all walks of life and skill sets, it’s been a truly beautiful metamorphosis.

(Moving day featuring my Dad & friend Nile @NSWPhotogrphy setting up the new space)

Thanks to all the overwhelming amount of bookings, I decided to train a team of in-house Photographers and our members of staff are fully trained in order to provide expert help and assistance to all our clients. I was able to expand to a second, larger studio in January 2020, The Lounge Studio 2 The Cove, situated just next door to studio 1. This expansion, remembering that it was only a few months ago, took a large chunk  from my savings, which was a risk I was more than willing to take. 

However, at no point did I anticipate for a global pandemic (which happens around every 100 years) and therefore never forsore to include that into our business plan! Jokes aside, COVID-19 & UK Government lockdown has classed The Lounge Studio as a 'non-essential business' meaning we have had to refrian from taking bookings & sadly close our doors to members of the public. Having said all of the above, we are now left in the predicament of having bills, rent & staff to pay with ZERO income. 

I have big plans for The Lounge Studio this year, as I intend to host workshops, tutorials & trainings in the following areas, available for all ages & skill sets: 

Photography:
- Camera basics 
- Studio lighting 
- Beauty + Portraits 
- Fashion 
- Using coloured gels 
- Maternity, Child & Baby 

Retouching
- Learning industry standard non destructive methods to edit images 

Makeup Artistry & Hair Styling:
- Tips & demos from some of the best MUA’s and Hairstylists 

Modelling:
- Training workshops & portfolio building sessions

Business Branding & Marketing:
- How to get started 
- How to make a business plan 
- Creating a social media presence 
- Creating brand identity 
- How to price your services / work 

and much more! 

So you’re probably wondering what the funds will be used for? 

- Cover the rent for 2 studio spaces for 4 months thus avoiding complete closure.

-Ensure work for our team to return to. 

- Bills & overheads are covered. 

- We would also be able to renovate our first studio during this quiet time, should we receive enough funding.

- Getting equipment such as chairs/tables etc for workshops. 

For many of our clients The Lounge Studio has become a second home and a safe, creative space to learn and grow. For us to shut down would not only mean the end of my life-long passion, that I have worked so hard for and my finically security but would also be a huge loss to all our clients who have benefited from the spaces and amenities on offer. I have literally witnessed hundreds of clients pass through our doors and build their own businesses from our space whether that be as Photographers, Clothing brands, Makeup Artist & much more. For a lot of creatives The Lounge Studio has been apart of their journey and we’d like to continue on this path with them. 

A heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read this and all donations are appreciated no matter how large or small. 

#SaveTheLoungeStudio

Check out our Instagram to see all the amazing work and BTS videos of the work produced:

Instagram: @_Theloungestudio (www.instagram.com/_theloungestudio)
Facebook: @Theloungestudio.space (www.facebook.com/theloungestudio.space)
Our website: www.theloungestudio.space