Today we’re sharing a studio tour and Q&A with newborn photographer Tanille Williamson, who turned a 100-year-old warehouse into a fresh, modern newborn photo studio. Tanille not only shares how she decided on a studio space, but how and why she designed each different area. Plus, she tells us how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected her photography business, and shares her “new normal” practices with us.
Q: Tell us about your business and its location.
A: My studio is located in the Warehouse District of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. I photograph newborns primarily, but I also do sitter, cake smash, and maternity sessions.
Q: Tell us about your studio space.
A: The hunt for a commercial space started two years ago. There were few options in our city; everything had massive square footage and a price tag to match. This particular space had been used as a photographer’s studio previously, and when I discovered the suite was available, I wasted no time calling the landlord.
The building is over 100 years old and located in a trendy area of town housing local businesses. The space is 650 square feet and has its own private bathroom. It has an exposed brick wall, hardwood floors, large windows and wooden rafters that are all original and practically untouched. The space is on the third floor so there is some concern with C-section moms having to walk up the stairs but so far, no complaints.
Q: What design considerations went into play for the interiors?
A: I called upon a local designer, Kathleen at Home. I told her my wishes, showed her my prop collection, and we came up with a solid plan. I wanted three zones: sitting zone, storage/prop zone, and shooting zone. I wanted to display my prop collection but didn’t want the space to become cluttered.
Product display was important to me, as selling art is a huge part of my business. I wanted parents to have a clear view of their baby at all times while relaxing on the couch, so clear sight lines from the sitting area to the shooting area was a must.
It was also important that items in the space were multifunctional; for example, the couch in the sitting area folds down to create a bed for lifestyle sessions, and just yesterday I placed a rug under a chair and plopped the pompous grass from the coffee table beside it to create an adorable set for a newborn image.
Q: What special touches do you add to your studio to make clients feel welcome?
A: In the sitting area the soft music, fireplace, comfy couch and little basket of snacks and water encourages parents to chill out which I do all the work. Bonus — it also helps reduce hovering. I have a little letterboard to let them know that I allow behind-the scenes pics and to tag me in their Instagram Stories. I know many photographers don’t allow this, but I love that they’re excited to share their experience, plus I’m confident I can deliver a much better image than their cell phones can.
Q: Can you tell us about your gear?
A: I shoot with a Pentax K-1 body (yes, we do exist) and a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Sigma Art lens. This is my main workhorse and it never comes off in the studio. My lighting is an Einstein Flash Unit with a white 86-inch PLM and a black diffusion cover. I recently put wheels on the stand and I can’t believe I didn’t do that sooner!
Q: Can you tell us a little about your newborn posing area?
A: For my beanbag shots, I use a dog bed from Amazon layered with about five fleece blankets under my fabric. I slide the posers under the layers while posing. I clamp the back fabric to a curtain rod drilled to the wall. In my rolling cart I have all the required easy-access materials: sanitizer, Shusher, Shape Shifters (Hello Little Props), wipes and receiving blankets.
For the prop shots I’ve really enjoyed using the hardwood floors. For variety I bring in 5×5-foot poly backdrops (LemonDrop). Parent images are done on seamless paper with help from the Seamless System (Amazon). Thunder Grey paper is my go-to.
Q: Do you do in-person sales at your studio?
A: Following the session, clients return to the studio for their Image Reveal and ordering appointment, where they choose which images they’d like to purchase. I offer digital bundles, albums, wall art, birth announcements, prints and brag books. I do have a lot of clients who drive in from hours away, so I allow them the choice of a video meeting over the computer to save them a trip.
Q: What are your best-selling products?
A: Albums, hands down. Everyone wants the digital files, so my packages include them. I have my products priced at a point at which moving from a digital bundle into a tangible product makes sense. I want every client to come away with something they can display in their home.
Q: How has your business and studio changed during the pandemic, and what safety measures have you adopted because of Covid-19?
A: Because the health and safety for my little clients has always been a top priority, my cleaning and sanitization routine has always been strict. Outdoor shoes are taken off at the door, I practice consistent hand washing and sanitizing, my fabrics/wraps/outfits are washed after each use, and props are wiped down.
Unlike before, I now scan delicate items that can’t be washed with a UV wand and set them aside for at least 3 days. I also wear a mask at all times. This can become rather hot (in an already hot space) and it does make it difficult to interact with kids, but honestly, it’s something that I will consider wearing even after Covid-19 is over. It just makes sense to me.
I also send a reminder email before every session where I ask that everyone self-assess and reschedule if Covid symptoms are present. I obviously will do the same if I have symptoms.
Q: Did you close your studio and then have a reopening? How has the process gone for you?
A: Our province ordered non-essential business to close mid-March. Some clients cancelled but I was lucky enough to have most rescheduled for when I reopened. Photographers were not included in any of the phases of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan which caused extreme frustration when everything around us (spas, hairdressers, tattoo shops) were opening but we were not given the green light.
In June we were finally given permission to get back to work. I photographed a lot of older newborns that month!
Photos by Tanille Williamson
More photo studio design and tours:
How I turned my garage into a beautiful photo studio: a video tour
7 ways to incorporate modern, functional design into your photo studio
Photo studio makeover: How to transform an ugly space into a showstopper
Tour: See this garage transformed into inspiring newborn studio
How to set up a garage photo studio in 7 easy steps
