The Studio On Sampson - A Central Illinois Content + Photography Studio
Central Illinois finally has an option for a photography studio. I just opened The Studio on Sampson on Sampson Street in Tremont, Illinois.
NEW Central Illinois Photography and Content Studio
The idea for this studio has been on my heart for the past two years. I wanted to create a place where other photographers could come to create. I noticed there weren’t really any studio options in the area when conducting my own search.
I also wanted other business owners to benefit from this space, too. It can be rented to create content, for small gatherings or workshops, for co-working, and there are even some open content days in the works—where anyone can come to film or photograph content for themselves in an aesthetic space.
I like to call it a multi-purpose space.
Why Central Illinois needed a photography studio
I’d seen first hand as a photographer myself how much we needed a space like this in Central Illinois. It’s pretty slim pickins. If you are trying to find a place to shoot photos indoors, you pretty much have to create a space of your own (which has its own setbacks and hardships) or rent an Airbnb.
The problem with Airbnbs is you usually have to book the full day—or even multiple days for the single shoot. Because check-in tends to be around 3 or 4, so in order to use natural light, you’d have to book the night before, too. The cost of a personal studio can be insane, too—with utilities, rent, equipment, it all adds up super fast. It just isn’t always worth it as a photographer to have your own space.
The Studio on Sampson gives Central Illinois photographers the option to have a space when they need it without the burdens that having your own studio can bring.
I’d been actively looking for a space to rent for this studio for over a year. I was scouring Facebook Marketplace, real estate websites, and even commercial real estate signs on the side of the road.
I had a list of criteria for the space. It had to have good natural light, so obvi big windows. It needed to have a good amount of space, a good location, and fall in a reasonable budget for rent. And above all, it needed to feel right.
After months and months of searching, this place seemed to have found me through sheer fate. I was on a trip to Nashville, just wanting to kill some time on the drive. I started scrolling through a few commercial real estate websites.
I didn’t have it all planned out. I didn’t have a name. I didn’t have branding. The idea was loose ends held together by sheer girl power and imagination.
All of a sudden and seemingly out of nowhere, all of my loose ends found their way together. There it was. On Sampson Street in Tremont.
Even the listing photos were just IT.
Exactly what I was looking for. Exactly what I’d been dreaming up. Tall windows. Exposed brick. Hardwood floors. The old building had variety, it had character.
After returning from my trip, I went to a showing and immediately started dreaming up The Studio. I set up a second showing and ended up talking with the owner for a while. I left committed to the space—it was all a whirlwind kind of dream.
I found the space at the end of March 2024 and decided I wanted to open the space at the start of May. So, I had SIX WEEKS to create the brand, design and furnish the studio, tell EVERYONE (aka do promo), and launch the space.
The Studio on Sampson features gorgeous natural light, 3 separate rooms, is fully furnished with extra fun chairs and trendy furniture pieces, and has 2 setups with 7 total seamless paper color options.
The all white room is, well, all white. The bedroom has a comfy bed for family shoots, boudoir photography, or shoots for homey-er brands.The main space has a living room space and a big mirror. There’s a little kitchen nook. Everything you could need in a photography studio.
The studio offers subscriptions for photographers wanting to frequent the space. Photographers can sign up for the membership for access to the studio for 3 or 6 hours each month. It is the perfect space to bring clients, host shoots, or even just hunker down for a really heavy work session. New editing cave?
You can also book the studio for single shoots or events—check out all the booking info! I can’t wait to have you there!
A benefit of having the studio is that I get to use it! Book your branding or couples photo shoot with me at The Studio!