My art studio photoshoot experience

An art studio photoshoot was always on my bucketlist. I admired those moody and serious shots I saw plastered on Tumblr and in magazines of an artist with their work spread around them. All the professional photos I’ve seen featuring great creatives of the past looked insane: giant messy workdesks, serious faces looking directly into the camera, windows letting in natural light, perfectly angled easels and varying degrees of works in progress. And always – an absolutely iconic artist in their element. 

I knew I would have my own version someday.

Finally, I can say that I do.

ART STUDIOS OF THE PAST

I’ve had “art studios” in the passenger seat of our truck while driving for 20 hours straight, “studios” that were simply the floor of my bedroom, and I even painted a mural in my “studio” in the living room of my first apartment (and didn’t paint over it before I left lollll). 

Anything can be your art studio if you say it is. 

And I was making anything work.

Whether my hubby and I were living on the road, like we did for 2 years straight, or staying in a rental house with 5 other roommates, making art was non-negotiable. That meant having some type of art space was, too. 

I even wrote an article about making DIY spaces on this blog years ago. More recently I released a podcast episode about my current art studio.

In each of these spaces, I strongly wished to have an art studio photoshoot. 

Photos were taken by me. With a phone, with that DSLR I never fully learned to use before I ultimately sold it, without props or flair. They were never equal to the stunning, iconic photographs I admired.

Documenting the journey is so important for reflection and viewing your progress. And I’m glad I took these photos for the sake of looking back with fondness on the previous versions of myself. But really I was just practicing for the real deal. And hoping each time I would feel proud of my art space. 

But it never felt like I ticked Art Studio Photoshoot off my bucket list.

TODAY

Now I have a beautiful, 396 sq ft studio with a closet, built in shelving, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a farm! It’s quirky and odd-shaped, but perfect for my needs. Plus, it’s right up the stairs at home (no commute required!) with a door at the foot of the steps to lock anyone else out. 

Absolutely perfect for me.

And when I started talking with Chelsea about an art studio photoshoot, I got excited.

She had just started her photography business the year before but we had been friends for around a decade. Her work was really good – and I’m not just saying that because I like her personally – I was actually impressed. She told me she had been practicing for a long time before coming out with it publicly. And you could tell. 

We set a date, and didn’t fret about details.

I wore a dark baggy outfit and a pop of purple to compliment my relatively plain walls and busy studio. I cleaned up a little, but I didn’t want to alter the space too much. The photos needed to reflect how I actually worked, and a little mess was appropriate. 

We chatted the whole photoshoot and got some sewing done during the process. It was relaxed and I think that helped them come out better.

Honestly it was great to catch up and make something collaborative at the same time. I would ten outta ten recommend getting some creative friends!

THE PHOTOS

The art studio photoshoot results were incredible. She made sure to arrive in the morning when the light was best (Late in the afternoon, the sun blasts through the windows. It’s nice for spending time in there but not great for photos.) We got all the nooks and crannies of the space and she even took pictures in my storage room.

Here they are:

And of course she was a dream to work with. She communicated every step of the process and edited my pictures with the quickness. Check her out on Instagram here.

TIPS FOR A GREAT ART STUDIO PHOTOSHOOT

Artists usually aren’t models. And modeling is a skill. So let’s talk about how your art studio photoshoot can turn out how you want. 

Clothes: Wear something you feel good in. For me this was a baggier outfit so that I wouldn’t be thinking too hard about how my body looked. If you’ve got a favorite outfit that you never feel self-conscious in, this is the time for that. Feelings of nervousness and tension will show in the photos if you’re stiff or trying too hard to suck in or puff out. 

Wear something that compliments the background. Think about the setting you’ll be in. If you’re going to have a mossy green field behind you, a mossy green dress will make you blend in. A yellow one will make you stand out. What colors are most prominent in your art studio? Coordinate the outfit accordingly.

Poses: Get lots of poses. Especially for us non-models, sometimes we don’t know what positions make us look good or look awkward. So try them all. Your photographer should be able to pick through which ones are keepers. Maybe even move around a bit and hae them take rapid fire or burst photos all in quick succession. One of them has got to be a keeper. And above all, relax your shoulders.

Encourage the photographer to take candids. Poses are useful but your natural body language will make the art studio photoshoot feel more personal. People will be able to get to know you a bit through the photograph. Let your natural posture and mannerisms get shown. 

Photographer: Choose a photographer whose style you like. I don’t know much about cameras, but I know an image I like when I see one. You don’t need to know the tech, the methods, or the specifics. Just be able to identify that you like the way they capture the moment and the way they edit. 

Chelsea always sees a moment from unique angles. She has a warm + fuzzy editing style (which is much different than my brand, but I loved it anyway. Brand photoshoots require that the props, editing or filters are all tailored to your brand). Her vibe is very summer retro nostalgic. Mixed with my dreamy, relaxed, cool-toned art vibe? Wow. 

Don’t put too much pressure on any one art studio photoshoot. You can always get another. And trust me, in a few years when my space has grown a bit, I’ll want another.

FUTURE STUDIO PLANS

I still want to decorate more. These photos made it clear to me that a lot of my walls are pretty bare up there! And I prefer a maximalist setting instead. 

Maybe I’ll reimagine the hanging racks.They could be taking up less space for an equal amount of utility.  

I could have more table space to my left for sewing big tapestries. Functionality wise, this would be a big change and it would also change the entire layout of the room. 

I could add an area dedicated to dowel rod cutting. A room for a loom and thread storage. A lunchroom for my employees. Okay, now I’m getting carried away!

But for real though.

My next art studio photoshoot will be bonkers. You might hesitate to even label it a studio!

How is your art studio looking? Check that art studio photoshoot off the bucketlist today. You won’t regret it.