From Vision to Reality : Opening A Photography Studio with Becky Hart
Becky Hart is a newborn specialist photographer who serves families in Hampshire, UK. I mentored Becky in 2021, when she was in her first few years of starting a photography business. Over the last few years, Becky’s business has flourished and in September 2023, she moved out of her home photography studio and into a commercial space. Her very own newborn photography studio. I’m super inspired by everything Becky does, so I invited her to chat with me on Instagram Live to talk about her new studio and share her best tips business tips for photographers.
Thanks for joining us Becky, can you tell us a bit about yourself:
I've been taking photos for over ten years but it’s only in the last five that I’ve turned my passion into a business. I recently got married so I'm actually Becky Weeks now, but I’m going to keep my name Hart. It was my late Granddad who bought me my first camera 15 years ago, so I want to stick with my family name. Hart Studio is the name of my new space. I'm very proud of my name, so I’m sticking with it.
I’m a newborn specialist but also photograph babies at around six months old, and up to one year. If families come to me after one year, it's usually for a sunset session in the spring or the autumn. But mainly I photograph newborns as it’s what I love to do. I also don’t see the point in trying to spread myself too thin.
Over the last 5 years, you have made all of this progress in very steady, consistent ways, to what/whom do you credit your sense of self belief?
For most of my 20s, I was one of those people who would say I was going to do something and would never do it. Then at around the age of 26, I had just met my husband and I wasn't happy in my job and needed a change, but I didn't know what else I could do. I didn't think of photography as a career path. Then when I decided to give it a go, my mindset shifted and I started to think “What if you just do it, without getting scared. Or even if you feel scared, pushing past and just remembering that we're here for one life. And imagine if you just do it. Accepting that things are going to go a bit wrong, you'll make mistakes and that’s okay”.
What was it that made you crave a space away from your home, as opposed to just kind of having a home photography studio?
I loved my home studio, it's the most perfect space. But for whatever reason, I started to want more. Then when I returned from my honeymoon, all of a sudden, I noticed it was holding me back more than I was enjoying it. I wanted to try out different photography styles that I needed space for.
I think I craved getting out of the house as well. It’s funny, because for years, I didn't want the commute. I wanted to be able to put my slippers on and walk across the patio and straight into my studio. But then all of a sudden, one day I thought to myself, but what if I get to drive to work? What if I get to unlock my studio with a key and get a coffee on the way? It suddenly really appealed to me.
So what would you say are the pros and cons of renting a studio space versus photographing in a home studio space?
Pros for a home studio: no commute, no rent.
Cons: my dogs kept having to watch people come and go. It wasn't the biggest space, no room to grow my ideas.
Pros for a studio: bigger space, more opportunities. I’ve been able to create a more levelled up experience for my clients.
Cons: Rent!?
The pros are waaay worth it …
What made you think you were ready for your photography studio move?
Financially, I was in a place where I could look at my numbers and the projections of what I was going to make and know I could cover myself. You can't leap into a new thing that's going to cost you money, without knowing the numbers. If you aren’t in a position to be able to afford a move like this straight away, it’s wise to at least find out how much it’s going to cost and save up for it. I was in a position to be able to do that.
Did you work out your finances then with anybody else?
I got my notepad out and scribbled everything out. All my business expenses, what I was paying myself and so on. I went to my husband. He's so good with numbers. I have an accountant that helps me do my tax return and all that sort of scary stuff. It’s ok to get help! So on the second to last day of the honeymoon, I was doing the numbers and working things out. On paper it looked possible, so he encouraged me to go for it.
The great thing about renting a photography studio space is that it’s not set in stone. I know that this isn't forever. If in four years time want to go back to my home studio, I can.
How did you find the photography studio space?
I searched locally for weeks and months for the right space but there was nothing around. Then I actually gave up. Around two weeks later my husband and I were driving to a shop through a village called Emsworth and we got stuck in traffic. As I looked to the left, I saw this lovely big window, floor to ceiling and it had a sign saying “to let”. I laughed and said I should check it out on Rightmove.
Once I saw the listing, I realised it was perfect, but it was about a 25 minute drive from where I lived. And for two days I stopped myself from going to see it. I couldn’t justify driving 25 minutes over a walk through my back garden!
After another nudge from Adam, I eventually went to view the space. Within a month I was picking up the keys! Once I was on my own in there I did a little happy dance. It was such a nice moment and I just wanted to enjoy it.
For a newborn photography session, what would you say are your best tips for baby-friendly studio design and how do you create a warm and welcoming environment?
The studio is wonderful because it has a kitchen and other facilities for my clients to use. It has areas children to play in. There’s more space to breathe but it’s still very cosy. There's no artificial lighting, no big umbrellas. There's blankets, cushions, cosy rugs on the floor, things for the children to do. The images on the wall are the only indication it's a photography studio.
It’s a comfortable space. I think it has to be a light and airy and smell nice! Newborn babies need a calming environment. They pick up on everything. So prioritising their comfort is so important. The mums need a good seating area. Many of them have just given birth or had c-sections, so they need something nice and tall. They don't want seating that's too low. Seats with armrests can be helpful if they're breastfeeding.
I offer tea and coffee and encourage my clients to bring any home comforts (like slippers!) so they feel more at ease.
Given that you’re shooting in natural light, how do you manage to keep your images so consistent with the changing seasons? What do your do in terms of overcoming the lighting challenges in newborn photography?
Dark days can scare so many people. When I first started shooting and I wasn't confident with my settings, I would feel like I would have to cancel a session because it would be too dark outside. Then I pushed myself to go to people's homes every weekend to shoot. I'd go to different homes from Summer to Winter and I was in so many different lighting scenarios that I think I just learned my camera like it was the back of my hand. It became muscle memory. I think the only way you're going to get it just right is if you just practice, practice, practice.
Do you have anything to kind of diffuse the light on the window?
Good old IKEA sheer curtains! I double layer them and if I have a really dark day I pull down one of the layers. Positioning is everything. I watch where the light falls on my clients. If it’s a dark day, I will just say “guys, we're gonna cuddle up by the light” and we literally just turn towards the window.
I'm really confident with moving people now. If I see someone in a shadow I'm not too scared to gently bring them into the light. I prioritise skin tones in my exposures. I don't mind if windows are overexposed, it's just the skin I want. I've never had a day that was too dark. I mean, I shot the other day and it was black outside. We got close to the window. My ISO was around 4000. But it looked fine. If it's too grainy, I'll just put it in black and white.
In terms of budgeting for a photography studio, have there been any unexpected costs?
Yes! The initial rent and deposit fees were more than I was expecting. Then there was insurance and I needed to add flooring too. Luckily I had the funds ready to go because I’d saved up. I think savings are really important to have.
Has the move affected your pricing at all? Did you announce any changes?
Not yet, but with the new space I'll be able to add a few new offers like Saturday sessions. These will be structured slightly differently than my normal session fee. I have announced all the new bits to my mailing list.
Naturally my pricing will rise slightly in the next year, I'm just being cautious because of the cost of living.
How do you market your studio to attract NEW clients? Are there any specific strategies that are working well for you?
Just showing my new space, showing off the love I have for using it.
Time management can be such a challenge for photography business owners, what would say are your best tips for simplifying your workflow?
For 4 years I lacked boundaries or any kind of processes in my business. I used to stay up late to answer emails and work on my website. This was ok in the beginning, but after a while it got to be too much. I now have set editing days, days dedicated to sending client galleries and organising prints. I have boundaries around my hours too now. I’ve learned that if you’re replying to an email in the evening, it invites clients to do the same. I don’t answer emails before 9am and I try to switch off at 6pm. I don’t shoot on Mondays, that’s my catch up day and when I list and work on the bigger picture tasks that need my attention. Having the separation of tasks in my days really helps my work life balance.
And finally, what advice would you give to someone who wants to make the transition from shooting out of their home to a more commercial space?
Work out what the new space will do for you.
Work out your costs, get pen to paper.
Will it work for you in the next 1-3 years?
Nothing is permanent, how great is that!
Huge thanks to Becky for sharing such valuable insight into her photography business growth. If you’d like to connect with Becky, you can find her website here or connect with her on Instagram here.