This year, my studio got bigger and so did my vision.

Going into 2026, I’ve been focused on building a portfolio that feels more intentional, more refined, and more me. A huge part of that has been expanding my studio space, and I’m honestly still soaking it in. The new layout feels like freedom. It feels like possibility. It feels like I can finally build the kind of images I’ve had in my head.

The biggest change: The bay window (and what it unlocks)

The biggest change for me in this new studio is a beautiful bay window. It gives me the opportunity to shoot not only in natural daylight, but also hybrid lighting with flash, and that one detail changes everything.

My previous studio was extremely narrow, which didn’t give me much flexibility when creating lighting setups. Most of the time, my lighting needed to stay stagnant, and that really took away from the creativity of moving things around to get different shadow and light articulations. In a small space you can still make great work, but you’re constantly negotiating limitations. Now, I get to experiment. I get to shape the light instead of working around it.

With the bay window, I can shoot clean, soft natural light portraits. I can also bring in a strobe to add edge, contrast, and depth while still keeping that natural, airy feel. It’s the best of both worlds, and it’s going to be a huge part of the look I’m building in my 2026 portfolio.

The glow-up: from mint green chaos to clean white walls

Before any of the “pretty” stuff happened, there was the ugliest 20-year-old mint green paint you’ve ever seen in your life. And it was everywhere.

I’m talking full commitment. Every wall. Every angle. It took the thickest primer I could find and two coats of white to finally cover it up. The work was messy, tiring, and absolutely worth it. There’s something about fresh white walls that instantly makes a space feel brighter, bigger, and more intentional. Like the studio finally has room to breathe.

Making it mine: black and white on the walls

Once the walls were clean, I started bringing the studio to life with artwork.

I decided to hang a mixture of digital prints and some 35mm black and white film enlargements I made in the darkroom in the fall. Everything is black and white, and the look is elegant and uniform. It feels like a gallery, but still warm. It’s a reminder that this studio isn’t just where I take photos, it’s where my work lives.

Two rooms, two energies: reception + active studio

What made it feel real, and honestly original, is the fact that I have two rooms now.

I have a reception space that can double as an area to shoot, and it also has a desk where I can edit and go over shot lists with clients. It’s really nice having a space to greet people, talk through their ideas, and set the tone before we shoot. Then, when it’s time to create, we move into the active studio where all the equipment can be set up, moved around, and experimented with.

That separation is a game changer. It makes the whole experience feel smoother, more professional, and way more comfortable.

Built for variety: Three walls, multiple looks

One of my favorite practical upgrades is that I now have three different walls that make it easy to get several looks in one session:

a plain white wall for clean, modern portraits

a brick wall with a window for texture and natural light

another brick wall that gives me those beautiful corner shots

That means a single session can move from crisp and minimal to textured and editorial without forcing a full reset every time. More variety, more efficiency, and more room to play.

Creating with the community: the 2026 build

I’ve been working with models in the community to help build my 2026 portfolio, and this new space makes collaboration so much better. There’s room to move, room to experiment, and room for people to settle in and feel confident. That’s when the best images happen, when someone feels safe enough to be present, and when the lighting setup can evolve as the vibe evolves.

This expansion isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. And I’m excited to keep creating, refining, and building something I’m truly proud of going into 2026.

If you’ve been thinking about shooting together, now’s a great time. I’m booking 2026 sessions and I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.