Opening My Own Studio

March 21, 2021

I can’t believe I’m even writing this post right now. It’s a day that I definitely have been looking forward to since the beginning of my boudoir career. My own studio. A safe space for clients. A space I have complete control of. A space I put my heart & soul into for my babes. 

If you didn’t already hear- I GOT MY OWN STUDIO. And I’m here to share the story of how it all came to be 

So back in October ish I had started toying with the idea of taking the leap to look for a commercial space to open my own studio. The studio I had been using was a rent by the hour type of thing and it just wasn’t working. From having to schedule shoots based on their availability, not being able to get in early to prep for my clients, not being able to control the environment or the decor- something had to change. Don’t get me wrong it was GREAT for the time being but it was time for me to take the next step. 

So I had started browsing online looking for the perfect space & feeling out what was available. LET ME TELL YOU- This search had me wanting to PULL MY FREAKING HAIR OUT. Searching for a space to use for a photography studio had it’s challenges. It wasn’t just the space itself I needed to consider. It had to have tons of natural light, be big enough for multiple sets, have free (and ample) parking for clients & my artists, have a space for glam + image reveal appointments and not be $10,000 a month. I was getting so frustrated trying to find a space that checked all the boxes- but I knew that if it was meant to be it would be. 

Fast forward a few weeks later a place that I had previously looked at online that had been out of budget lowered in price. It was a freaking sign. I went to see it a few days later and it was PERFECTTTTT. So much light & even stayed bright pretty far into the WINTER afternoon. Separate glam room, lots of space. I loved it. Only problem was there was someone else offering to lease as well. All in all I ended up getting it! The universe really put this one together for me. Just goes to show you that everything happens for a reason. 


This is where it gets real. I got the keys at the end of November. (The 23rd I believe it was…) 

How was it tricky you ask? WELLLLL- I was booked solid through November & had planned to start taking clients in the new space as of Jan 1st 2021. 1 month on top of being booked solid, keeping up content creation for insta, shooting, editing, emails etc AND to top it all off I had just moved into my apartment 3 weeks prior! All of this during a global pandemic mind you- was I crazy? Maybe. But you know what- growth doesn’t come from your comfort zone. 


The space needed a TON of work before it’d be ready to have photos taken in it. Including the glam room it’s about 1000 sqft. Painting a 1000 square foot space with high ceilings was such a daunting task- I HATE painting LOL. 

Picking a colour was more difficult than I’d like to admit. I wanted neutral so that no matter what furniture I put in or switch to in the future it would match. Okay- so grey. THERE’S A MILLION SHADES OF GREY. I picked one a got to work. I won’t lie I was a freaking stress case (as my boyfriend can attest to.) I painted the glam room which was so done with painting by the end of that, I had no clue how I was gunna paint the main shooting area with the super tall ceilings! WELL my dad came to the rescue and offered to paint it for me. Bless his soul because the fact that it had to be perfect since photos were gunna be taken in there was so much pressure. I have a track record of hitting the ceiling sooooo!! But it was unbelievable how paint alone changed the space so much- no more puke yellow.


Then it was time to start picking furniture- also a TASKKKKK. Conceptualizing a beautiful shooting space from nothing was so difficult. Where to even start? What do I buy first? 

There were so many stresses from worrying if online orders would arrive on time, to having it ready in one month, to rumours of a second lock down. What I ordered and when is a big blur but the one piece I remember is that staple violet tufted sofa, the crown jewel of my space. WE LOVE HER. 

Announcement time- Second lock down, at least 28 days. This gave me more time but added a ton more uncertainty. Would it actually be 28 days or would it be 6 months? You never know with the Ontario government HAAAA. 

So everything pretty much came to a halt. I stopped buying things since I had no idea how long this lock down would last. I focused on planning ideas for the space, improving every part of the experience for my clients, re-vamped my website, spend tons of time on client resources and content. I managed to keep at it. The only reason for that is because early on I decided this virus wasn’t gunna win. It could kick me down 1000 times but I was gunna stand up 1001.


Fast forward to when the stores started opening again- AKA Marshalls, Winners, Homesense AKA my happy place!! It was grindddddd time. I had decided to reschedule all February sessions regardless of being allowed to shoot as of the 16th- because I had only been able to get so much online (Amazon packages coming almost daily LOL) I had SO much I still needed to buy. So the 2 weeks leading up to March 1st it was pretty much all day everyday in the studio after going to every single Marshalls, Winners AND Homesense in the city. I’m not exaggerating- my boyfriends & I went to every single one within 2 days. 


Slowly setting everything up and getting things hung ( Thanks to my dad again for making sure everything was level and secured properly LOL) really made things real. This was my space. MY SPACE. I could move things as I wanted, hang what I wanted & create the most comfortable & inviting environment for my clients.


Every last detail was attended to. The mini fridge full of drink options, the client closet with sizes XS-4X, The mirror decal that says “YOU LOOK AMAZING.”, The calming face mists, the body lotions, the empowering words displayed all over the glam room + hallway. 

AND HERE WE ARE.


I’m just truly still in awe at this entire experience. I know the challenges of opening a studio during covid are far from over, but I’m so damn proud of how much I’ve managed to over come during this. 


This is not where the story is gunna end though, there’s some big things coming & I can’t wait for you to come along for the ride. 


I wouldn’t be here without my AMAZING clients. Thank you to all the ladies who have put their trust in a complete stranger, to the ladies that stay in touch, to the ladies that make me laugh, to the ladies that let me show them their worth, to the ladies that’ve allowed me to change lives for a living. None of this would be possible without you. 


So thank you for allowing me to do what I love for a living & have the most fun doing it! 

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