PARIS – So you’re a photographer, but you need a studio? Starting Monday, one will be available with lighting, backdrops, props, tripods and more.

Photographer Judith Hayes is set to open My Studio at 21 Market Square. Each of the three, 10- by 10-foot spaces will be fully equipped. The photographer simply needs to being a camera and subject, said Hayes.

“Who can afford the equipment?” asked Hayes. “They just bring their own camera and use my studios.”

Hayes, who grew up in Portland and moved to Paris 28 years ago, said she found the Oxford Hills area ripe with artistic talent. “The Oxford Hills area is very talented in art, photography and crafts,” she said. But for many who wish to have professional equipment the cost is just beyond them.

“Instead of opening my own studio I decided to put in three studios and make them available to photographers or anyone with a camera who would like to try to do something professional,” she said. Anyone from an eBay seller who wants to take a good black and white picture of their item to the local high school camera club will find the studios useful, she said.

Hayes, who has her own office in the studio space, said she leans toward art photography and portrait photography as her genre.

“I’ve always loved photography. I paid my way through college with photography,” said Hayes, who earned master’s degrees in English and journalism.

Although her career path led her into book editing, working in print and broadcast journalism, her heart was in photography. “I always planned to return to work full time with photography, which was my first love,” she said.

Hayes said the studio space will become part of the arts community by displaying local photographer’s work, working with Western Maine Arts Group, having guest speakers in occasionally to talk about topics such as wildlife photography and having a bulletin board available for people who want to sell their cameras and equipment.

“I want it to be a community of people who love photography,” Hayes said.

The grand opening of My Studio will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 4-7. There will be daily prizes, T-shirt giveaways and refreshments. Regular business hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information phone Hayes at 739-2943.


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