There comes a point in every photographer’s journey when working from home no longer cuts it. Our studio design for newborn photography evolved from necessity, frustration, and ultimately, a vision of what could be possible when professional space meets thoughtful design. If you’re a fellow photographer contemplating a studio upgrade or a Boise parent wondering what makes our space so special, this is our story.
When Your Dining Room Becomes a Studio (And Why That’s a Problem)
In 2019, my “studio” was actually our dining room. On paper, it worked—I had been photographing newborns for about two years and was still discovering my style. But reality looked different. With three little ones—my youngest barely 1, my middle son 4, and my oldest 7—our open-concept home meant any session required completely cleaning the entire visible house, setting up and tearing down equipment, and desperately trying to keep my children quiet upstairs with our nanny.
I’d spend hours hauling props from garage storage and meticulously arranging setups, only to find them “reorganized” by curious little hands right before a client arrived. Parents who’ve tried DIY newborn photos understand the challenge of creating a calm environment at home—now imagine doing that professionally with toddlers in the mix!
I reached a crossroads that many mom entrepreneurs face: quit entirely, pause until my kids were older, or get an outside studio. The entrepreneurial flame was burning too bright to extinguish. I loved my children, but I also craved the creative challenges photography provided.
The Boise commercial real estate market quickly delivered a reality check—minimum $1,500 monthly for basic spaces, considerably more for locations with good natural light. With monthly revenue between $4,000-$6,000, the math was concerning.
Building the Dream: A Studio That Feels Like Home
Looking at our property, the answer suddenly became clear—what if we built a custom studio right here? Instead of paying someone else’s mortgage, we could create an asset while designing the perfect photography space.
I had been dreaming of my ideal studio for years, so I sought out an architect who could transform my vision into reality. My wishlist wasn’t simple, and it certainly wasn’t conventional.
“I want directional lighting and high ceilings,” I told him during our first meeting. While many photographers crave that soft, north-facing light, I had something more specific in mind—abundant eastern light that I could diffuse with curtains as needed. I described strategically placed skylights that would create dramatic sunbeams streaming from the top right corner down to the left in my images.
My poor architect nearly had a heart attack. “But the outside will be uneven! It will look weird, Paige!”
This led to one of my favorite features—a solution to having a window that looked normal from the outside but wouldn’t interfere with my lighting inside. Our contractors installed a metal wall that from the outside appears to be a darkened window. Inside, it serves as a magnetic surface where I can use strong magnets to hold up fabric backgrounds that fold away when not in use—a vast improvement over the ceiling-mounted backdrop rolls that I was constantly having to edit out in the old dining room.
What I wanted was the vibe of a New York loft. My husband described it perfectly: “A New York bachelor pad that a woman had taken over.” Ha. That was exactly the aesthetic I was after.
Signature Elements That Define Our Space
With the newborn photography studio designs nearly complete, I felt something was still missing—a signature element that would make the space uniquely mine. While browsing Pinterest, I found it: a dramatic metal arched window extending to the floor, surrounded by brick.
My architect, predictably, tried to talk me out of it. “Arches are ‘out,'” he insisted. “No one is putting arched windows in anymore.”
I didn’t care about trends—this was about creating a focal point for my images. He eventually relented, placing the large arch I wanted on the north wall with a smaller, echoing arch on the south wall. These arches have since become central to almost all my studio portraits—a signature element clients immediately recognize as Glean & Co.
The bathroom design sparked other favorite features. I insisted on a large sliding barn door so I could shoot into the bathroom without being crammed in there with clients.
“We need a full-size soaker tub,” I told the contractors, who initially claimed it wouldn’t fit.
“Turn it at a slight angle,” I suggested.
“Oh, yeah, huh… I guess we could do that,” they conceded.
The lesson for photographers? Never let contractors tell you something isn’t possible. Construction teams often don’t like thinking outside the box, but solutions usually exist.
For the bathroom lighting, we created a small attic nook—a bird’s nest of sorts—with windows at the top so light streams down over the tub. This feature looks architecturally interesting from the outside while serving a crucial purpose during maternity milk bath sessions, cake smash bubble bath clean-ups and even mom and baby nursing sessions.
From Studio Blueprints to Designed Reality
We broke ground for the studio in the fall of 2020, but construction didn’t really begin until January 2021. Those seven months felt like the longest of my entire life. As I watched the building slowly take shape, I was simultaneously working to transform other aspects of my business.
By the time I moved into the completed studio at the end of July 2021, I had increased my sales averages, found a studio manager, and refreshed my branding. I truly felt like a “real” business owner for the first time.
The city limited our auxiliary dwelling unit permit to 700 square feet, which sometimes feels constraining. Looking back, I wish we could have built the studio a bit larger to include a waiting area for clients if a previous session is running long, or a separate fitting area to accommodate multiple appointments—considerations for photographers planning their own spaces. And if nothing else more storage area is always a good idea!
Want to see our finished space? Watch our Studio Tour video!
Thoughtful Details That Elevate the Experience
Once I moved in, I obsessed over every detail that would elevate the client experience:
- Pads in the bathroom for newly postpartum moms
- Clean Boppy pillows for nursing mothers
- Quality sound system playing gentle music
- Vitage style SMEG fridge with beverages and snacks
- Fully stocked diaper changing station
For clients, these thoughtful touches transform a photo session from a potentially stressful event into a pampering experience. For new parents navigating the exhausting newborn stage, having everything taken care of makes all the difference in their images.
The Investment and Return on Your Newborn Studio Design
This wasn’t an inexpensive undertaking, but we approached it strategically and spoke in depth with our CPA. The building expenses were McLeod family investments, essentially creating a rental property with tax advantages. Glean & Co now rents the space from the McLeod family, which becomes a business expense for the studio while keeping the money within our family rather than paying an outside landlord.
Because the studio was designed to look like a stylish apartment rather than an obvious photography space, it has versatility. If someday I decide to pursue something different, the space could easily become an Airbnb property generating income. It’s also a wonderful home away from home space for guests who come visit Boise for the weekend.
Beyond the financial considerations, the return on investment has been immeasurable:
- Professional separation: The ability to “close the door” on work at the end of the day
- Protected family space: Our home remains our sanctuary
- Increased bookings: Clients respond to the professional, dedicated space
- Creative freedom: Room to explore without limitations
Most precious of all has been the gift of time—no more frantic house cleaning before sessions, no more hauling equipment back and forth, no more disrupted family life.
Key Takeaways for Photographers
If you’re contemplating your own studio journey, here are the insights I’ve gained:
- Start where you are: Home studios serve their purpose while building your client base, but be honest about the hidden costs—time spent setting up and tearing down, the stress of maintaining a clean home, and the impact on your family life.
- Think beyond commercial space: Property additions or garage conversions often provide more affordable alternatives that still create professional separation.
- Design for your specialty: Newborn photography has unique requirements for lighting, temperature control, and client comfort. Every element of your studio should enhance both your creative process and your clients’ experience.
- Fight for your vision: Don’t let architects or contractors talk you out of features that will make your space unique and functional for your specific needs.
- Consider future versatility: Design your space so it has value beyond your current business needs.
What Makes a Studio Design Special for Clients
For Boise parents searching for the perfect newborn photographer, understanding the value of a purpose-built studio can help guide your decision. In our studio, clients find that the environment becomes part of the experience—a sanctuary where they can relax and be present with their newest addition.
What makes a photography studio truly special isn’t the fancy equipment or even the perfect lighting—it’s the feeling clients get when they walk through the door. Our studio journey continues to evolve, but one thing remains constant: this space was built with intention, understanding, and love and I truly believe that shows in our finished work.
Looking for newborn photography in Boise? Visit our studio and see the difference a purpose-built space makes. Contact us to schedule a tour or session today.
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