Covington LA Photography Studio

Covington LA Photography Studio

I can’t believe I am sharing photos of my very own photography studio because I can’t believe it is real. Honestly, I have never had a desire to have a store front studio. When my husband said he could build me a farmhouse/ cottage studio (is that even a thing?) that totally changed. He knew one of my struggles as a photographer was finding unique locations. Especially locations that weren’t filled with other photographers during busy season. Also, my newborn sessions took place in my home studio. It was convenient but my whole family had to leave.

One day, ironically during a newborn session, my husband, Matthew, was just riding around not to be at home lol and he came across a sign nailed to a tree that was completely overgrown about the most amazing property for sale……. and the rest is history.

The sweetest family owned the property which is on 9 beautiful acres covered in 100 year old oak trees. A husband and wife and their four children lived in a two bedroom house since the 1950’s. The couple has since passed and left the land to their children. Katrina destroyed the original house (I believe) leaving behind an empty canvas for building. I love the history of the property just as much as the land itself and Harley and I are often looking for signs of the original owners. I immediately started having outdoor sessions under the majestic oaks and then the dreaming began for a studio.

Matt had a little notebook and a pencil and he sketched it out….It is mind-blowing how he turned a little sketch on paper into this amazing place that I call my own. He is the most talented human being on the planet. It amazes me how one man cleared around 130 trees, formed up the slab, framed the structure, ran wires, did plumbing, laid floors, crown molding, shower tile……literally there is nothing his two hands didn’t touch. For 1 year he devoted evenings after work and every single weekend to making my dream come true. And it’s even more amazing than I ever could have imagined. He is just so unbelievably incredible.

When thinking about the inside of the studio I kept my new momma’s that come for newborn sessions in mind. I wanted a comfortable place for her to rest, a snack area if she needed a coffee or breakfast, a beautiful bathroom and large mirror to get ready for her session and a glass door so she could see her baby if she didn’t want to sweat in the room with me lol. Matt made it all a reality.

I had so much fun picking out all of the furniture from Niche Modern Home in Mandeville. So many beautiful things and Alexa was so knowledgable and helpful. My mom and sister came with me and we made a day of it. We fell in love with the green pillows and everything came together after that. It is so wonderful being able to set out all of the beautiful products I offer for clients to review and to see my photographs printed is the best feeling ever.

I knew when I saw this mirror from Arhaus I had to have it. It is nice and big to check yourself out before a session and makes the room look bigger. And Harley loves putting her fingerprints alllll over it lol. There is a sliding glass barn-style door that divides the sitting room with the studio room. Babies are photographed in the cozy studio area. Harley helped me organize everything by rainbow color. The prop artists that create all of the beautiful props I use in my sessions are so so talented. It makes my heart so happy seeing them all displayed. Truly art pieces themselves. It is such a comforting space for me.

The furniture in this space is extra special. My husband drove to Alabama to pick the pieces up for me. The changing area under the wraps and bonnets is made from late 1800’s barn wood from France. The wood bench is an old butcher block from Europe and the blue doors are antique doors put together into a unique room divider……obsessed!

When I moved in I decided to finally ditch the beanbag and use a table for newborn posing. But I didn’t want a flimsy fold out table and naturally wanted something beautiful. My dad had just the thing, an antique oak table that was estimated to be a few hundred years old when my parents bought it in the early 90’s. It was my family kitchen table growing up and oh so special. I wish I took a photo without the backdrops on it.

My husband remodeled an old New Orleans house off of Tchoupitoulas St. and took some of the old wood. He knew I would love it and find a use for it for something. We have had it in the back yard for years until I needed shelves for my studio…..and then he turned the most beautiful wood that was hidden inside a house for 150 years into the most amazing shelves for me. He had enough to do them in the studio, above the kitchenette and corner shelves to hold sample photos.

I knew I had a vintage dress obsession…. I adore dresses from the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. But didn’t realize how bad it really was until I hung them all up. This isn’t even half of them. We haven’t completed the upstairs yet but I’m leaning towards large closet room. And see that little baby above the dresses? That was my first newborn session 20 years ago this November of my sweet girl. That’s how it all started.

I feel like I was born in the wrong decade lol. I love the 50’s and all things retro. This little fridge and microwave was the perfect pop of my favorite color for the space. Annnnd I just found some really pretty blue bottles for the top shelf when I went antique shopping with my dad this summer. I need to update the photos so you can see them.

Isn’t it so sweet!? There was a lot of back and forth designing the bathroom. I wanted it comfortable and clean and a touch of fancy. The vanity and marble reminded me of my grandmothers washstand in her bedroom.

For those interested, the exterior and interior paint color is Greek Villa by Sherwin Williams. The black on the interior doors is Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams and the Exterior black paint is Tricorn Black.

Tiktok provided by Mattie 🙂