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Making Space with BLOT

A unique creative shared space & rental photo studio in Indianapolis Indiana. Committed to making space for visual creatives in need.

$10,700
pledged of$10,500 goal
129
0Days Left

Project Description

 

Our Founder , Charlee Black discovered the power of collaboration through working with fellow creatives.  What started as a fun way to network quickly became the mission behind good friends: work with creatives you admire. With a portraiture background, Charlee founded Good Friends Studio.

Since 2018, Good Friends has found a way to create visuals out of the spare spaces of friends. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, Black pivoted to pursuing the studio full-time. We quickly began shooting product remotely and saw a steady rise in clients. While we couldn't have all of our good friends on set for safety, we were to foreshadow what our potential clients needed.

In 2020, Good Friends Studio saw a 25% increase in creative projects due to working remotely. We continue to grow and are in need of a space to create. 

 

Collaboration is the base of what this studio represents.  Upon starting in 2018 we knew we wanted a shared photo studio that was accessible to all. As creatives ourselves we know how hard it is to find accessible photo space in Indianapolis. When asked 55% of creatives mentioned a lack of space to bring their vision to life. 

Knowing we needed to expand into a physical space in 2021,  we found collaboration to be a center of yet another project. To prepare our roster of creatives, we created an exclusive slack channel for our crew and others to communicate & share resources. We're planning to continue to share opportunities and events with members and non-members alike to engage the community in educational events from our talented partnerships & collaborators. 

 

 

We are raising 23k to assist with:

  • Buildout Costs 

  • Insurance 

  • Rental Fees

  • Equipment 

  • Decor & Furnishings

 

As a photographer in Indianapolis for the last 7 years we have often found it extremely difficult to find rental space that is available and affordable.

I've also been on the side of the defeated creator who just needed a chance to show themselves what they are capable of. Because of these experiences, I've decided to create a photography studio for creatives. I am qualified to solve this problem because I often felt alone in this problem. Now, I know that there are more people in this city just like me , who need the chance to express themselves + network to increase their opportunities and creative practice.

Most studios require insurance, which most creatives do not have. Additionally, many studios are too expensive for new creatives to afford. Additionally ,there aren't many natural light studios in the city which hinders most creatives from creating, because not everyone knows how to work expensive lighting equipment.

This can be discouraging to creatives; amateur and established.

 

BLOT solves this problem by offering a shared space and photo studio. We maintain accessible safe studio space and host educational events for our community. We utilize our Slack community for creatives in the city, where we share opportunities, castings and more to creative a supportive ecosystem of visual creatives who learn and share with others in the city and beyond. 

 

 

BLOT would be the first of its kind as a Black Queer Woman Owned photo rental space in Indiana. 

Your contributions will have a direct effect in the buildout and availability of the space. You are not only supporting a small production studio in the Midwest, you are also supporting the creative safe space for creatives in this city. We secured the space in July &  plan to move in JAN 2022.  

 

Our mission is to cater to the photographer and videographers, as well as the content creators, influencers & larger production studios. 

 

We have found OUR DREAM SPACE. A 2300 square foot warehouse space inside a converted milk factory from 1910. The studio faces west and has 3 large natural light windows + a glass garage door installation on the horizon. The original equipment from the factory is still inside the space + will need to be welded out of the space. This will require 6 months of buildout prior to move in.

 

 

We first visited the space 2 years ago to inquire about the hidden gem. We knew the moment we walked in that we THIS was the space. From the amazing natural light to the space inside of a space, it checked alot of our boxes on a space & we cannot wait to move into a space with such history.

 

 

 

Aside from being a gorgeous space. We want to offer tools to assist our hourly renters + monthly members execute their plans. We chose amenities based off what we have needed from studio spaces in the past.  From a backdrop system, lighting systems, grip kits and more. 

Inspired by our good friend, who went by the stage name of BLOTT BOY. We honor him through this space to continue to work towards our creative goals, and inspire creatives in our city to do the same.

 

 

We are currently seeking partnerships with brands, creatives and artists who want to be apart of our future events and opportunities for our community. If you are interested in partnering with BLOT , please reach out to [email protected] for additional information, metrics and more.

 

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • WHY ARE YOU RAISING FUNDS?

Our crowdfunding would help us with buildout costs, rental fees for the year, insurance and equipment for our space, BLOT.  This will give us the necessary funds to begin our first year in operation and prepare for the costs of creating this space.

  • IS THIS ALL THE FUNDING YOU WILL NEED?

Yes, for now. This will help us with the inItial push. We will decide if Summer 2022 we would like to add-on to the space or fundraise for more gear/equipment. 

  • WHATS YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE WITH MAKING SPACE?

Funding! We have our dream space secured and all we need now is the funding to get the space to our liking. As we are using a renovated building, we must anticipate for the 6 months of buildout. 

  • WHEN WILL BLOT OPEN?

Tentatively Top of 2022. 

 

Kurtis Bowersock
08/31/2021
Friends You Celebrate With! 🥂
$50
Carling Dannaoui
08/31/2021
Virtual Friends
$25
Jazmine K.
08/30/2021
Friends You Celebrate With! 🥂
$50
Paulina
08/30/2021
Virtual Friends
$25
Heather Harper
08/30/2021
Friends You Celebrate With! 🥂
$50
Andrea Pascalau
08/30/2021
Monetary Contribution
$174
08/29/2021
Half Day Pass on Us 📸
$150
Lo
08/27/2021
Friends Who Support YOU 🛍️
$75
Emma Hagenauer
08/27/2021
Friends You Celebrate With! 🥂
$100
Victoria Britton
08/27/2021
Friends You Celebrate With! 🥂
$80
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

32 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Virtual Friends

A social media + newsletter thank you. We plan to share every step of our journey to opening and will share those that have supported us

31 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
Friends Who Support YOU 🛍️

Good Friends Studio Tote + Good Friends Studio / BLOT Stickers + Personalized Thank you Card

Support Good Friends through the Merch Bundle! Please be sure to specify your full name, address & email address in the NOTES section of your purchase. 

20 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Half Day Pass on Us 📸

3 Studio hours on us for the price of one. Come in and enjoy the space and see what the studio has to offer.

Redeemable after January 01, 2022. 

7 Supporters
Select this reward
300.00 USD
Full Day Pass On Us! 📹

A Full day in the studio for us.

(50% savings - 8 hour booking originally $600)

2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Hey Hey Hey Friend 📱

Join our founder, Charlee Black for a 60-min 1:1 chat to discuss - whatever you want! pick our brain, ask her favorite color, she always happy to chat collaboration, entrepreneurship + supporting creatives

3 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Friends, Ones We Can Depend On 👼🏻

A Photography Course led by Photographer Charlee Black, she will share project planning, shooting and post production tips. This also includes a pre-recorded videos and a final Q&A Meeting upon completion [ 3mos 2 hours a month 6 hours total] Includes private 1:1 post course

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
2,000.00 USD
A friend in need of space 💸

You gain 6 months of our top tier membership for access to the space at a reduced cost. Receive 6 months of access to BLOT Studio, access to our slack community ( A $225 Savings)

6 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Your GOOD Friend 💡💡💡

Sponsor the studios first lighting system. Help us purchase of the profoto D10 Set to teach out community about strobe lighting

0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Indianapolis, IN
Created 1 Campaign

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

32 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Virtual Friends

A social media + newsletter thank you. We plan to share every step of our journey to opening and will share those that have supported us

31 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
Friends Who Support YOU 🛍️

Good Friends Studio Tote + Good Friends Studio / BLOT Stickers + Personalized Thank you Card

Support Good Friends through the Merch Bundle! Please be sure to specify your full name, address & email address in the NOTES section of your purchase. 

20 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Half Day Pass on Us 📸

3 Studio hours on us for the price of one. Come in and enjoy the space and see what the studio has to offer.

Redeemable after January 01, 2022. 

7 Supporters
Select this reward
300.00 USD
Full Day Pass On Us! 📹

A Full day in the studio for us.

(50% savings - 8 hour booking originally $600)

2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Hey Hey Hey Friend 📱

Join our founder, Charlee Black for a 60-min 1:1 chat to discuss - whatever you want! pick our brain, ask her favorite color, she always happy to chat collaboration, entrepreneurship + supporting creatives

3 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Friends, Ones We Can Depend On 👼🏻

A Photography Course led by Photographer Charlee Black, she will share project planning, shooting and post production tips. This also includes a pre-recorded videos and a final Q&A Meeting upon completion [ 3mos 2 hours a month 6 hours total] Includes private 1:1 post course

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
2,000.00 USD
A friend in need of space 💸

You gain 6 months of our top tier membership for access to the space at a reduced cost. Receive 6 months of access to BLOT Studio, access to our slack community ( A $225 Savings)

6 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Your GOOD Friend 💡💡💡

Sponsor the studios first lighting system. Help us purchase of the profoto D10 Set to teach out community about strobe lighting

0 Supporters
Select this reward