NJ’s “Unsheshed”

This space is a multi-purpose space designed to be a photography studio as well as a functional garage and event location. Tiny houses and their ability to include a lot of functionality within a small footprint is what inspired the Unsheshed.

Form Meets Function

The Unsheshed is a live-work space that transforms in a matter of minutes! My obsession with tiny homes definitely fueled the inspiration. Specifically, “How do I make the studio compact, yet have everything that I need,” was my prevailing thought. One of the focus points, especially, was to have all the regular use items easily available without taking away from the floor space. Everything has a space which also allows me to park in the Unsheshed.

Creating the Atmosphere

Clients can view their images as they are created and select their final images before they leave. This is a process I’ve been utilizing since 2012. The Unsheshed is climate controlled with ducted heat and air. In addition, the epoxy floors are easy to care for. My clients love the intimate setting, as well as the ability to do studio and natural light in the same space.

I hang backdrops on unmounted Varipole systems that subsequently tuck away in two of the corners. The painted walls – one black, one white – also allow for diversity in 3/4 and up portraits.

Goals for the Future

My goals for the studio are to serve my clients, allow fellow photographers a space they can rent to serve their clients, and to host small group events such as photography workshops, meetups, and styled sessions.

More from NJ

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• Facebook
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• TikTok

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Ashleigh’s Studio

This is Ashleigh’s custom-made newborn, family, and maternity studio that she built from scratch! It measures out to be 5×4.5 meters (roughly 16.5×14.5 feet).

Custom Built

Since Ashleigh had her shed custom built, she was able to choose big glass doors to let in tons of natural light. She painted the walls all white to reflect the light coming in and even coated the concrete floors with white matte epoxy floor paint. It truly became a bright and airy dream!

The building is heated and cooled with a reverse cycle air conditioner mounted on the wall. While there are no bathroom facilities in the shed, her clients can use the spare bathroom which is easily accessible from the side of her house.

Multi-Functional

A very important consideration for tiny studios is multi-purpose furniture. We think Ashleigh really knocked it out of the park with this one! When she’s not using the bed for her crisp lifestyle set, the futon easily folds up into extra seating for parents.

Amazing Organization

For storage, Ashleigh lined one wall completely with IKEA PAX units. She was able to organize all of her maternity dresses, newborn wraps, props, and florals this way! She hung the hats and headbands on IKEA curtain hooks.

Another awesome feature is the motorized backdrop roller she mounted to the ceiling. It’s a great space saver!

More from Ashleigh

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Original Post

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Meet Josh

I’m an international award-winning photographer with 15 years of experience behind the lens. I photograph in a very dramatic, moody style that could live on the pages of any current fashion magazine. I love watching someone really feel beautiful, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

The Artist and the Space

My studio is 185 square feet and located in an old feather factory in Chicago that houses 50 artist studios. I shoot luxury portrait photography.

Right now I have a Canon 5D Mark IlI and a 24-105L lens. That’s pretty much what I use for everything. I plan to upgrade to mirrorless at some point mainly for the eye focus. For now, I have all I need.

Josh’s Inspiration

The defining moment in my creative life is when I saw the cover of Bjork’s album “Debut.” I don’t know what it was, but when I saw that image, I knew I wanted to be a portrait photographer.

Today, I’m inspired by everything. I know that is a corny answer, but it is absolutely true. It could be a movie I saw, a book I read, something my wife said, or another image I saw. Inspiration can strike at any time. When I get ideas, I try to make mood boards (mainly on Pinterest) so I don’t forget when a day later a new idea pops into my head.

Advice for New Photographers

Try everything. That has been the most fun for me. When I wanted big, dramatic skirts for my studio, but I couldn’t afford to buy them… I tried making them. It was the same thing with headpieces. Just get some glue and give it a try. Go into the studio for two hours and move the lights after every 5 shots. Put them in places that make no sense. You never know what can happen. Go outside at all times of day and no matter the weather. Shoot, shoot, shoot. I have discovered a lot of my “style” but just playing around. We are lucky right now. Digital film is free.

Where to find Josh

• Instagram
• Website

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Meet Josie

I’m Josie, and I am a light and airy photographer based in Dothan, Alabama. I am a wife to my best friend, Drew, and a mama to my little man, Bo. I am a lover of natural light, New Girl, thrift shopping, the outdoors, and Mexican food.

Finding Inspiration

I really just wanted a space that encompassed my desire and brand: authenticity, timelessness, and all natural. I strive to keep things as natural and true to life as possible whether that be indoors or outdoors. In my opinion, creating an environment that encompasses these things automatically makes clients feel at home and comfortable.

Creating Comfort

The whole purpose of the bed is so that families can have their newborn session here. They don’t have to worry about getting their home ready and clean days after welcoming a new baby. It really just adds to the ease and comfort of the overall experience!

Motherhood Photography Mentorship

Josie is not only a photographer, but a motherhood photography educator, as well! You can find her facebook group here or check out her website for more info!

More from Josie:

Where to Find Josie

• Website
• Mentorship

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Meet Tiarra

My name is Tiarra Bankowski! I am a boy mom to a two year old and I’ve been married for over 8 years. My husband and I relocated to Maine from Connecticut when my son was 2 weeks old. I started my business from scratch – not knowing anyone up here. I wanted to do photography because I love being able to capture real moments for myself and wanted to do that for other people as well. 

Getting Started

My studio was originally in a 150 square foot room, which was one of our our guest rooms in our home. We then renovated and I was able to move it into a larger room, which used to be our living room. It’s now roughly 300 square feet! 

I thrifted the bed as well as all linens and curtains (besides the window ones, those are sheer curtains from Walmart!) and the wicker bassinet. The paint ladder is my husbands. The wooden boxes were given to me from a local apple tree farm called Sweet Tart Orchard in Bethel. I’ve used their property for shoots in the past! Some baskets were from Dollar General as well as the candle sticks, believe it or not! The florals are all from Hobby Lobby – but the Pampas I found on the side of the road! The majority of my decor is from Hobby Lobby – minus just a few things. I look for dried flowers and anything that’s neutral toned. 

I love the boho theme that seems to be trending in the photog world right now. It’s cozy and the colors are pleasing to the eye. 

Continuing the Look

As for my spring set up, again, ALL Hobby Lobby, even the fabric drapes on the walls. The process for the drapes is literally just random placement with nails. 

I typically shoot family, maternity, newborn and milestones in my studio. 

Finding Inspiration

The way I went to styling my studio was things I’ve seen on social media. I am truly so inspired by other people around the world! I just piece together things I find pleasing to the eye. It’s so cute to me when florals are all bunched together in a corner, like the dried florals and pampas mixed with baskets and my apple crates! I will say, though, one thing I’d like to do that’s different is paint the walls and add an accent wall. I’d love for the walls to be a nice creamy white with brown hues and a brown accent wall. Someday! I don’t mind the color now, as it’s “different” – not what you typically see. 

Some day – I would love to have a studio on my property that’s not in my home, like a really large shed with a porch attached. That’s the goal here! For now, I’m happy with what I have. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, especially not knowing a single soul here in Maine. Since starting in 2021, I’ve only gotten bigger year by year. Your dreams can happen if you put in the work, you have to want it! 

Check out more details:

Where to Find Tiarra

• Instagram
• Facebook
• website
• original post

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Katelyn’s Studio

Located in her townhouse in Chilliwack B.C, Canada, Katelyn’s studio measures at 151.5 square feet with an additional dressing room / lounge area of 75.8 square feet. Considering the lower ceilings and the small space, her studio is geared more towards newborn posed sessions, sitter sessions, headshots and occasionally small families for mini sessions.

A Cozy Lounge

When you first enter Katelyn’s home, you’ll head straight down the stairs and into the laundry room which has been converted into a lounge / dressing room. This space features a coffee bar and a changing table that’s been mounted on a a file cabinet. The file cabinet is great for extra space! She store diapers, wipes, etc in the top drawers and her files in the bottom. No one notices it’s a file cabinet! She also added blackout curtains and a bench for her clients to get changed or nurse in private. 

“Utilizing the laundry room as a dressing room was a HUGE one. I thought it would be tacky, but my clients and I love it. It’s nice to add space and since they can leave their client’s closet items right there. Having the washing machine and dryer there doesn’t seem “out of place” to my clients. Also, some parents like to have the space to nurse without being watched.”

Right beside the dressing area is the door to the studio. The actual studio shooting area was originally a tandem garage that was shortened with a wall to make the extra space. She left the rest of the garage as prop storage. Katelyn makes all her own studio signage on Canva and then places them in certificate frames from Dollarama. It’s a super cheap and easy way to make custom signs for your studio and you can change them as often as needed!

Maximizing Studio Space

Katelyn decorated her studio with props which helps with storage. The fireplace that was originally used for Christmas mini sessions is now also the heater for newborn sessions. The couch is where she has the parents sit during the newborn sessions. All florals, props, etc. can be used on the platform when taking photos.

She also took it a step farther to make every wall in the studio more appealing. When she changes the layout she can now have any wall in photos and it not be an eyesore. There are numerous backdrops permanently placed on the walls with planks in between. She has even taken the hardware off of the storage closet and replaced it with real vintage pieces.

The Posing Platform

“This is my BIGGEST flex! The posing platform is hand made out of hardwood so it’s very sturdy and heavy and can hold 600lbs+. It measures 61″X34″ and 10” high. I have it painted white to use as is, but I also have industrial velcro on the sides where I can place my floor coverings or clear poly for my cake smashes. It also duals as additional storage where I place my rugs, my additional lighting and my weights for newborn buckets. This platform is also what I use to make my “faux bed” poses. I add my headboard backdrop to the back, put down a thick duvet and accessorize with blankets and pillows.”

This wall is also her backdrop wall. She used double wall hooks and curtain rods she can hang backdrops from. All of her backdrops are stored in he corner, rolled up and tied with cords.

When she needs to use the bean bag posing stand, she simply flips the posing platform up. Here she has plenty of space to set up the stand, which she also built herself. 

Getting Crafty

Her newborn / sitter client closet is a wardrobe that she refurbished herself. She painted it and added two pressure bars with rings with clips to hang all of her clothes, hats, and headbands from. Then, she added bins for bottoms, wraps and other accessories. She also used the bottom shelves to store carpets, blankets, bean bags and blankets.

“Another thing I love having in my studio is my cart. On the top I store face masks, gloves, kleenex, wipes, burp cloths, hairspray, baby brush, lint roller, and back up pacifiers. The next self is where I keep my camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards etc. The bottom I usually keep extra cords or bean bags. I also stuck command hooks on both sides. One side holds my floor knee pads. The other holds my bag that carries all my backdrop and bean bag posing clips.”

What Would You Do Differently?

I don’t love how I don’t have much natural light…If I could fix that, I would in a heartbeat. Also, if there was anything I could do about the lower ceilings I would. I would love to accommodate a standing adult against a backdrop.

Tips from Katelyn

• Having cold water, mints, snacks, bars and coffee is such a simple way to add warmth to someone’s session. 
• I always do my best to buy products from local companies in my studio (ex. essential oils, baby oil and lotion, cleaners, hand sanitizer, hand lotion)
• I have a cork board that I display a few images from my favorite/recent sessions. 
• I have added static cling frosting covers to my window. It diffuses the natural light and also stops clients from seeing other people walking outback and, in the case my window is in a photo, it isn’t such an eye sore in my clients image. 
• I have a Google Nest that I use to play music during my sessions or play white noise on during newborn sessions.

Where to find Katelyn

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Website
• Original Post

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When Facebook originally began suppressing posts on a wide basis, I began to look for alternative options to our facebook group (and I did find a private community space with Alaynna’s help from BouDIY). But it wasn’t until Facebook decided to remove its post topics feature that I finally accepted that we were going to need a new platform to maintain the organization and freedom we once had. Starting this website not only allows that, but opens the door to so many amazing opportunities!

Overall, I’d love for this space to be a place where you can come to share your tiny studio work and ask questions without fear of judgement. A community beyond competition that welcomes its members with open arms. A place for you to find information and resources you can TRUST.

So, who am I?

My name’s Alyssa and I’m a boudoir / fine art photographer and educator based out of northern Minnesota. My specialty is (you guessed it) designing small spaces efficiently without sacrificing aesthetics. You might recognize my own first studio, the OG Tiny Studio, which was comprised of two tiny 8×10’ rooms!

In addition to that, I’ve been known to be a photoshop expert and a branding & marketing guru. I currently offer individualized mentorships, so feel free to reach out and we’ll see what I can do for you!

I have a lot of eduction in the works for you guys, so keep an eye out and in the meantime, enjoy this awesome resource!

Join the Facebook group!

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