Maximizing Space in Katelyn’s Cozy Home Studio
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
