Our Boudoir Photography Studio Project
We’re sharing our rollercoaster journey, from initial planning to the final touches. This adventure was packed with challenges, triumphs, and plenty of laughs. Ready to see our dream studio come to life in our very own backyard?
After spending the first couple years in business shooting in borrowed and rented spaces, and with success, we began seriously considering making a larger investment in the business. We researched our options for renting or buying a studio in a commercial space. But wow, that option required a very large investment while limiting our customizations and location options. We eventually landed on the decision to build on our existing property. While we knew building in our own backyard may impact our appeal to brand new clients, we knew that our existing relationships, referral volume, and work that speaks for itself would foster consistent growth. The most important benefit of this decision was that it allowed us to build the studio into our dream shooting space. And so began our year-and-a-half adventure of building a stand-alone studio right in our backyard.


The Planning Phase
We started with brainstorming and sketches and I generated a 3D render of my concept, picking the perfect spot in our yard, and gathering resources. Budgeting was a big part of this phase. We envisioned an elegant and comfy space with custom photo studio elements built from the ground up. We added special mounts for lighting rigs and set walls into the walls and ceiling. Smart lighting was installed so we could control everything by voice command – no more putting the camera down! French doors and big custom windows were added to allow in lots of natural light.
Breaking Ground: The Start of Construction
Initiating the build was both thrilling and difficult. Serena is an experienced IT project manager, so we had that on our side, but dealing with building contractors and getting county permits – a whole new experience for both of us. After the huge concrete pad was poured, the county inspector found it wasn’t square – off by 6 inches (yikes!). The concrete guys weren’t sure how to fix it but after consulting with a friend who is an engineer we were able to guide the contractors on the fix.
Getting the walls and roof up brought a whole new set of challenges. The large company who we paid to complete this part of the project took twice as long as promised to get started . Once they started, they made a lot of mistakes that further delayed the build. We were really frustrated at times but kept our eye on the finish line with optimism! Finally, we had the main structure complete.



Bring On The Power: Pulling Electrical From Our House
Next up: the trench! In order to get power to the studio we had to dig a 2-foot deep and 80-foot long trench to run electrical wires from our house to the studio. We did this ourselves to save money. It was hard work and a safety hazard to our elderly chihuahua. Don’t worry, we didn’t leave him unattended and only had to fish him out a few times.
Once done, the electrical contractor handled the wiring. We’re open to some DIY, but nobody should do their own wiring. They installed the front sconce lights higher than we wanted, but no project is perfect. We were very happy with the choices we made with the recessed light in the ceiling and a plethora of electric outlets throughout.
Building the Interior: Creating a Cozy and Stylish Space
We tackled the rest ourselves: insulation, drywall, painting, installing the AC unit, and laying laminate flooring. Serena helped a ton with the insulation – she really loved that… (read sarcasm). A good friend pitched in with the drywall. Project manager Serena was happy to report we finished on budget, but couldn’t say the same about finishing on time! We followed the motto: don’t let perfection be the enemy of ‘done’. Overall, we learned so much from the experience and are proud of what we accomplished together. We’d been a couple for just a few years at this point, and it really underlined and made us grateful for each other and for the great team we make.

Insulation Queen!
Serena Super excited to start the insulation process!

Finished insulation.
Very hot, sweaty and itchy job. But a very satisfying result.

Bobby and Ziggy inspect the concrete pad.
Even they could tell it was done wrong.


The Final Touches: Ready for Clients
We furnished the space with carefully chosen décor and unique features to create the look and feel we envisioned for the ideal boudoir space; subtle elegance with just the right pop of provocative style. We selected a sleek mid-century modern sofa to place in front of the the wainscoted accent wall and painted in deep blue and grays. We made a point of selecting versatile pieces and adding small touches to maintain an easily transformable space, allowing us to create many custom styles for each shoot. With the final details in place, the studio was just about ready for its first shoot! We celebrated our vision come to life with a champagne toast to our future. Our vision come to life.


Grand Opening: Sharing Our New Space with the World
We hosted a special event to showcase our new space. Clients’ and friends’ reactions were overwhelmingly positive, confirming that building the studio in our backyard was the right decision. Seeing the studio come to life and hearing peoples feedback was incredibly rewarding.
We setup a simple photo booth so that everyone could have fun and feel elegant. It was a family friendly opening so no impromptu boudoir shots.
Behind the Scenes: Ongoing Adventures
We have a few more things to make the studio complete to our vision but we have decided to do the final things in stages. We still have to put the front façade on but that’s for next season.
We continue to share regular updates on studio happenings, special shoots, and memorable moments. The studio isn’t just a place for work; it’s where creativity and fun come together.
Looking back, the journey of building our boudoir photography studio was filled with challenges, learning experiences, and countless memorable moments. It’s a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the support of loved ones. We invite you to book a session and experience the space for yourself!
The Final Studio
Minus the front façade and whatever upgrade’s we decide it needs.
We are always improving.