My Studio is Open!


It is Autumn 20204 and I honestly never thought that I would be writing a blog about my completed studio! It has been a long journey to get here and I am so excited to be able to welcome families in for newborn photography sessions along with a range of other sessions also being launched.

I wanted to document my Studio Opening in some way, and other than a grand opening which I am organising for later on this year once I have all of my branding and marketing material ready to go (I have always wanted an excuse for a champagne fountain!!)

But first, how did this all come about?! Well, it all started way back in 2020. The year where we all stayed at home. After spending our days (furloughed and on extended maternity) painting the house, making the garden look like a National Trust garden and redecorating or sprucing nearly every inside room, my husband and I were well into the swing of house projects. 


The disused working dog kennel where my rabbits once lived was now empty and it seemed like a great idea to turn it into a more functional space, perhaps where I could use as a work space, and follow my dream of being a photographer and having a home studio. 

Cornwall newborn photography studio
Cornwall newborn photography studio
Cornwall newborn photography studio
Cornwall newborn photography studio

So, one of the things that I learnt far too late on in life, probably aged 37 and 8 years into married life, is that ‘they’ say to never marry a builder. Apparently it means that all of the projects that get started in your house never get finished and while there are still some other ‘ongoing’ projects like having waited for 6 years for skirting boards to be put in the downstairs loo among other things, this project is one that I can say is now finished and that my dear husband has absolutely smashed out of the park. At this point I must mention that my husband works full time and we have a very busy life filled with running around after our kids and also trying to maintain some level of balance for our own hobbies and family time. The studio has been a labour of love, and sometimes (quite often) un-love, which he has worked on over his weekends and evenings and has only taken two weeks out of his day job over the four years to complete. He is my hero and I am so in awe of the space that he has created for me to work in. 


 I love my studio, in fact I adore it and even that doesn’t feel like a strong enough term to describe the happiness and peace it brings me. It is my absolute happy place and I look forward to my daily commute over the patio to work each day where I enter, light my candles, and check my emails whilst sipping on a cup of tea. It is actual, utter bliss and I could not be more grateful.

There were so many times over the past four years where we both gave up hope on it. I think in the latter parts of that year I threatened weekly to put a match to it all and at least get my garden back and in order! We have gone through phases of just having a big muddy hole in the garden to having walls but no roof for months on end. And oh, my favourite (not favourite) part was when I was told the windows were going in which was accurate in that there were windows but no glass?!!? So not actually windows for another few months. I

I think I joke about it because at the time we had to, to make light of the task that was taking over our lives and became quite depressing for both of us at times. I realise it sounds like I am talking about some kind of grand design rather than a studio space in the garden. But now that it is finished, it is worth more to me than any grand design ever could. And no, we will not EVER be attempting a self build of our own if it involves weekend and evening work hours only!!

building the new photography studio in Cornwall
building the new photography studio in Cornwall
building the new photography studio in Cornwall
building the new photography studio in Cornwall

It took a long time and lots of help from our family and friends to get here but that makes it even more special. The amount of loved ones that have been so invested in helping us see this through have really kept us going. This bit may not be as interesting to read but I do want to name each and every one of the people that have helped in some way. I am hoping they will read this part but I know that they know how eternally grateful I am for what they have done for me. However, please remember, my brain isn’t as good as it once was and I am sifting through four whole years of memories here! 


In no particular order, here we go!


Bryn, I have already sung your praises earlier in the blog so I won’t go on but thank you so much! I know you know how much I love the studio.. I think I tell you every time I head off in that direction. It is all I dreamed of and more. Love you.


To my sister Sarah. You said to me four or so years ago these exact words and I think that is what has spurred me on: ‘If you reach forty and you haven’t given it a go, you might regret it but if you give it a go and you are really determined, you can definitely make it work’.


To Beth and Ross. I feel like it wouldn’t have actually happened without the literal graft and encouragement you have given every single step of the way. From ‘the big dig’ right at the very beginning to helping me with furnishing ideas and everything in between. For my first gift of a plant (which is still thriving!) Ross, I know Bryn has loved working with you and I am especially grateful for you dragging him out of that dark place on the skirting board day!! You guys are honestly the best.


To Tekhe, you take the honour for naming my business ‘Rabbit House Studio Photography’. I think you said it on a whim one day and it stuck… and now here I am in the actual studio.


To Weez… my number one cheerleader and bestest ever bestie. For all the encouragement, support, ideas and of course all of my branding. You are so talented and also so loved.


To Mum and Dad and Mum and Dad J. This could be a long one but you have helped in more ways than I can mention; with bits of the building work, silver taping, electrics, shifting rubble, ordering things we needed, looking after the kids when we have been working on it and much much more. Financially too and for that I am so grateful as there have been times when we thought we would never get to the next step and you always helped bridge that gap so we could carry on.


To our lovely neighbour, Linda, and more recent neighbours Josie and Martin for putting up with the mess and chaos and especially the scaffolding when you moved in. I know it wasn’t idea but we are grateful for you for being so supportive and we got there in the end!!


To all those that helped with the big dig that haven’t already been mentioned; Helen S and Dave for helping with the Big Dig! And to Tom for the geeky wifi advice! I have better wifi in the studio than in the house!!


Finally to my girls. They won’t read this but I still want to publicly thank them for being patient and enthusiastic along the way and for being the best part of every day, especially when the task ahead felt never ending and a bit overwhelming. They have helped when they could and particularly enjoyed the painting party at the end! I know they love the studio as much as I do and can't wait for movie nights in here using the projector to make a big screen!

building the new photography studio in Cornwall
decorating the new photography studio in Cornwall
decorating the new photography studio in Cornwall
decorating the new photography studio in Cornwall