Tammy is calling the Chocolate Factory home these days.

This past June, Tammy Loya Studio relocated to Building Two, Suite 215, of the historic Chocolate Factory in downtown Ballston Spa. Loya, a native of the town, couldn’t be happier with the recent move that more than doubled the size of her studio.

“We went from 1,000 square-feet to 2,500,” the owner said. “This move has given us room to breathe. It’s easier to work, to unleash the creativity. It’s amazing.”

The new studio accommodates two spaces in the renovated chocolate factory. One serves as a camera room with exposed brick walls and numerous backdrops for capturing “the perfect image,” while the other holds a projection/consultation area and framing studio. Loya believes the location is the right fit for her business because of the amount of space it offers, its affordability and the uniqueness of the building.

Photography began as a hobby for Loya; on her 13th birthday she was given a 35 mm camera.

Educated at the Winona International School of Professional Photography, Loya is a PPA certified Master of Photography. She’s also a member of Wedding and Portrait Photographers International, where she holds multiple degrees.

Aside from winning four prestigious Kodak Gallery awards, Loya has been awarded the Regional Medallion award and the State Elite award by the American Society of Photographers.

Her work has been exhibited in shows and galleries across the country as well as internationally.

For the last 12 years Loya has primarily been a portrait photographer specializing in children.

Frustration with how portraits of her own son kept turning out was the catalyst for her decision to make the images in her mind a reality.

“If you want a timeless portrait that captures your child than you should come to me,” she said.

“I try to make each portrait an individual piece of artwork.”

A design session at Tammy Loya Studio typically lasts 45 minutes, during which elements such as the colors, the style and the eventual location of the portrait are discussed. At this point Loya also shows people samples of her work, so they have a better idea of what she does. The following visit is a portrait session, which can last up to two hours.

“I want the experience to be stress-free, so we schedule the session around the best time of day for the child,” she said. “Every kid is different. I like to build a rapport. It makes my job easier if they’re more familiar with me.”

Later on, without their offspring, parents attend a projection appointment to screen the best images and make decisions regarding cropping or retouching. Loya said the final product is delivered in eight to 12 weeks after the projection appointment.

With the studio’s recent relocation came some dead space, which Loya decided to fill with a new business. A baby boutique offering customers upscale gifts for baby showers and unique presents for infants including designer baby bags, children’s furniture, stuffed animals and several lines of christening gowns, A Silver Spoon’s grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 18.

Soul Session will perform at the reception, which is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and partake in a raffle benefitting the Double H Hole in the Wall Camp in Lake Luzerne. Tickets are $100. One lucky winner will receive a framed 20 x 24 color wall portrait valued at $2,550.

A Silver Spoon is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday 12 - 4 p.m. Sessions at Tammy Loya Studio are by appointment only. For more information, call 884-7400 or visit www.tammyloya.com.