The Winter Studio Series — A First, But Not A Last
Typically I close down over the winter, mostly because my fingers just can’t take the cold weather, but this year, an unexpected opportunity and a last-minute decision landed me with three months to work in a studio — for the first time ever.
Without taking more than a few minutes to think through the social media post about the Winter Membership opportunities at Suite G Studio that had caught my eye, I replied and asked if there were still any spots available.
Sigh, there really is no in-between with me. I either analyze, plan, and perfect everything BEFORE moving forward, or I close my eyes and jump.
With zero thought put into marketing or balancing studio sessions with my full-time job when the sun sets before 5pm, this was absolutely a blind jump, and as soon as I signed the contract, I found myself with the first ever Winter Studio Series by Kristy Marie Photography.
Typically I shoot outside in beautiful locations, often on the Maine Coast at golden hour, and create magical sessions with the ever-changing summer sunset as the backdrop. This winter, however, I was looking at rustic wood floors, white brick walls that offered texture and contrast to the wood, and very limited space to move. It was a different kind of beautiful than I am used to working in, and being in the studio really forced me to see potential in ways I wouldn't ordinarily see. I had to find ways to create energy without wide open spaces for running and skipping and dancing. My typical whimsy had to be replaced by something much more intentional.
It put me in situations that I'm not used to being in — flash was often required, and I decided it was finally time to familiarize myself with off camera flash. I got some wins, and also some big losses. There were images that were too shadowy, some that were flat, and others that were perfectly lit, and I was able to bring to life the vision I’d had in my mind.
There were times where I felt so out of my element that I made rookie mistakes with my camera settings. Looking back, I can see instances where my shutter speed was too slow, causing soft and blurred images, or when my aperture was set incorrectly and I, again, didn’t get the sharpness that I wanted. On the flip side, there were many that I now consider to be some of the most beautiful and meaningful images I've ever captured.
Where I struggled the most was with my own self-portraits. There were very few that I was happy with and that captured the vibe I was going for. What I was seeing on camera was not a reflection of what I was feeling on the inside, and that was hard. At the same time, it meant so much when I had clients wanting to recreate some of the self-portraits I posted. What an incredible and unexpected compliment, and also a reminder that I may be a little too hard on myself at times. (Shocking, I know!)
My own Her Light session was a disappointment I've continued to grapple with. The vision I'd had in my mind for close to a year did not come to fruition. The entire experience, from getting ready to taking the photos to the editing, put me in a place where I was overcome with such a deep sense of grief. Grief for time lost — or at least time spent surviving instead of thriving. Grief buried in the anger and disappointment toward myself because I stopped making my health and fitness a priority after Covid. Seeing myself on camera brought all of that to the forefront of my mind in a way that it could no longer be denied or ignored. Maybe that’s a good thing, a necessary thing? I haven't decided yet.
More importantly, through all of that, I learned firsthand what it feels like for many of my clients when they are in front of my camera dealing with their own insecurities and their own discomfort. I traded places with them for a moment, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for the vulnerability my clients willingly bring to their sessions. To show up exactly as you are and be fully seen, without a mask or performance, requires trust and bravery. That level of openness is nothing short of amazing.
The Winter Studio Series forced me to learn and grow as a photographer, but also as a human.
What more could I ask for?
Photography forces me to grow, even when I feel like staying stuck would be easier.
It forces me to slow down and really see what's in front of me, even when I don't feel like looking.
It insists that I find beauty, even when things don't feel so beautiful.
It requires me to find empathy and grace, even when my instinct is to push through.
Photography reminds me that life, and all of the ups and downs that come with it, is full of magic — we just have to slow down and be willing to see it.
The 2026 Winter Studio Series was a first. Not a last.
Hope to see you next winter,
Kristy