By Lisa Carolin
Amanda and Jake Huey turned a warehouse into a photo studio. They call it Fantasy Studios and opened it in February.
It’s easily accessible on Old U.S. 12 right off the Pierce Road Exit, and the studio is located in the back portion of USArtQuest.
“We had to completely gut a small hallway, two office rooms, and section off 1,000-square feet of open warehouse space,” said Amanda Huey, who owns the business along with her husband and her husband’s parents, Karen and Larry Huey.
Jake and Amanda Huey did all the remodeling themselves including hanging drywall 17-feet high, laying new flooring and repainting everything.
They rent out studio space to photographers and videographers and offer full access to studio lighting equipment, prop use, and wardrobe for models.
“We provide a safe, comfortable, and fun atmosphere for anyone that walks in the door,” says Amanda Huey. “Photographers have everything they could need, and families get a chance for indoor and outdoor backdrops and different props for great photos.”
In addition, the studio works with different photographers to teach lighting and artistic classes and to teach how to work with models.
Amanda Huey does some professional photography, such as family portraits, senior shots and professional head shots, both in the studio and on location.
“The studio is open to any photographer that would like to come in and take photos,” she says. “We have a two-hour minimum and rental time with a fee of $40 an hour. We also offer daily rates and memberships for photographers that will be using a lot of space or attending a lot of classes.”
The Hueys have a strong respect and passion for veterans. Jake Huey served in Iraq in 2008, and Larry Huey is a disabled veteran. On June 25 from 4-9 p.m., there will be a fundraiser at Fantasy Studios to raise money for a new club house for the Vietnam Veterans Legacy Motorcycle Club.
“It is open to anyone, and if people have a classic car or motorcycle, they are encouraged to bring it out and have some fun,” said Amanda Huey. “We would do anything to help out veterans for what they have done for our country, people, and the sacrifices they have made for their own lives and families.”
The Hueys are asking models and photographers to donate their time and two to five finished, edited photos to the club for a calendar or magazine that it will put together using photos from the event.
