Marisa Stone, owner of  Marisa Stone Photography in Tampa, FL shared with us her studio space and how she uses the cozy space to create awe-inspiring images. Angles and lighting can make a world of difference and she has mastered navigating both. She has been a member of The Motherhood Anthology since we first opened the membership and we have watched her work on the education and grow her business at great speed. We’re so happy and proud to have her as part of our community.

How did you get started? 

I started Marisa Stone Photography just about two and a half years ago. I always had a love for photography and had studied film in the past, it seriously lit a fire inside of me. When my daughter was born I couldn’t imagine missing another moment without documenting every stage of this wild ride, and so, MSP was born.

Have you always had a studio? 

Nope! The first year I shot only on location and in-home for newborn sessions, I won’t lie, it was a challenge but it pushed me creatively. I was able to walk into a client’s home and immediately start envisioning where and what I wanted to capture, and how to work well in low light situations as a natural light photographer. After a year or so I convinced my husband it was time for an in-home studio. I bought a few white wall panels, painted the entire room white and BAM, simple as that!

Did you like having your studio in-home? When did you know it was time to move to a commercial space?

It had its pros and cons, that’s for sure. I loved not having to leave to shoot, but at the same time, I was constantly kicking my family out of their home and having to keep my house spotless (that’s laughable now with two kids!). In January 2019 I knew I was going to shift to IPS from all-inclusive and felt in my heart with that shift I wanted to have a commercial space that completely fit my brand. I searched for months for a spot until I found my little studio, and it’s been amazing!

Ok, we’re dying to know now, how big is your studio?

Drumroll, please…. A whopping 290 sq. ft, about 120 sq. ft is my shooting space!

Wow, absolutely incredible what can be done in such a small space! What equipment do you use?

I shoot digital and video with my Canon 6d and a 50mm 1.4 (yup, that’s the only lens I use, ever. ) And I shoot film with a Mamiya 645AFD 80mm 2.8

Do you ever find your space restricts you from getting any shots you want?

Not at all! I think as photographers, we often think we need more than we do. Get creative, I can get 4 different shots from the same pose just by moving my feet (from an angle- I love placing my clients cornered between the window and the wall for these shots, straight on of their faces, from the side for a horizontal shot, and from above). I put up a faux german smear brick wall on one side of the studio and the other side is a plain white wall, this allows for more variety in my sessions as well, but truly, I prefer the plain wall over the brick!

And what about props? 

I don’t use a ton, but I have definitely figured out what I need, and what I use most. When I moved to my new studio, I traded out my queen bed for a futon and it’s been great! I have one wooden chair, one stool, a newborn posing bean bag and a couch and two chairs in my IPS area. I move furniture around into my shooting area as needed for shots, finding pieces with multi-function has been paramount in making my space work for me!

Lastly, before we go, do you have any tips for photographers who don’t have a studio yet?

Be patient, work hard and keep your eyes open, you NEVER know when the right one will pop up. Oh and keep an open mind, if you say my space before I painted it and added my touch, you probably would have thought I was crazy!

Marisa Stone Photography 

Website: https://marisastonephoto.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarisaStonePhoto/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisastonephoto/