Heather Berthiaume has opened Knox Selfie Lab at 906 Sevier Avenue. The new business is next to Red Bud Kitchen and to the front and below Hi Wire Brewing. The location offers a range of booths where individuals, couples, friends, or families can pose to their heart’s delight. It’s a lot more fun than the boring pictures we used to make with our families. They are great for gifts or just for memories.
The eighteen booths cover a gamut from a Vol theme, to Christmas (booths change seasonally), and a booth designed and painted by artist Shaun Ridge. Heather plans to include more local artists as she goes. For now, you’ll also find winter scenes, money scenes, whimsical scenes and more.
She’s pleased with the way that it has come together, though COVID-19 delays slowed construction down. I first wrote about Heather and the business nine months ago when she signed the lease (you can read the back story here). Getting materials was a challenge for the space that had to be built out from scratch. She opened two weeks ago today and she said people are slowly figuring out what its all about.
Bookings are coming in for staff parties, bachelorette parties, wedding parties, birthday parties, and more, as well bookings for individuals. She’s had the place booked for a boudoir shoot, held a pet day, and she’s expecting more creative ideas as people consider the possibilities.
The space is also being used (once a month at this point) by Pilate Jill for a yoga class. The next one meets this Tuesday at 6:30 pm and the cost is $15 per person. All fitness levels are welcome and the glass comes with a complimentary glass of champagne and access to the selfie lab after the class.
Hours are Wednesday to Thursday, 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 pm – 10:00 pm, and Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the last session booked an hour before closing. The cost is $25 per person per hour. To rent the entire space for a private event or shoot, the cost is $200 per hour, which includes up to 20 people during off-peak hours.
You can book a time online or walk in. For now, she asking that people book online where they can pay. You’ll need a credit or debit card to pay in person (unless you have exact change). There are discounts for UT students (with ID), military, police, first responders, nurses, and teachers. Sundays are Sunday Funday with $15 sessions.
As an aside, my camera, which had been acting up for months, but memorably made it through hundreds of photos in NYC just days before this interview, officially died during this shoot a week ago. Heather took possibly the last photo of me with my original 6D that will ever be taken (cue the violins). It is at the shop and may recover, or may be lost forever. We took cell phone pictures that day and I returned $1600 later with my new Canon 6D to do retakes. This post contains old camera, new camera, and cell photos.
Check out Heather and her Selfie Lab and tell her I sent you her way. You can find her website (and make reservations) here. You can also follow Knox Selfie Lab on Facebook and Instagram.