Three months ago, I got a text from my friend Geoff Peck about a Pensacola Photography Studio that would possibly be up for grabs. Never in a million years did I think it would be mine. You see, Geoff is the kind of friend you talk out loud with even if you know it’s going nowhere. Certified yappers, that’s us. But, I had the time and decided to indulge him with a walkthrough. To be honest, I didn’t think I was ever capable of owning a studio. Looking back, I can see how I was lead directly here.

How It Started

As I walked through the space in mid-January with the previous owner and Geoff, I really saw the potential. The Pensacola Photography Studio needed a lot of work and updating. But, the wheels in my head started to turn. The last thing I wanted to see was a creative space in the heart of Downtown, Pensacola be given to a corporate business. After about three days of phone calls and back to back meetings with other Pensacola creatives, I decided to take the leap. POP Studio went from a vision in my head to a real, living, creative space. And honestly? It’s already become everything I hoped it would be—and then some.

First Days of the Studio

When I signed the lease and got the keys on February 1st, I’ll be honest. A little bit of panic started to set in. I had so much to do. Aside from the back end systems, going from a home photography business to a physical location was an enormous undertaking. Insurance, permitting, website, parking lot signs, logos, branding, advertising, cleaning, renovating- all of these were occupying my every thought for the entirety of February. And, although I realize I chose the shortest month of the year I’m grateful it was not busy season. If you’re interested, you can check out a ton of the behind the scenes process on the studio’s Instagram page!

Fast forward to now, and seeing the studio in action has been surreal. We’ve had a steady stream of photographers renting the space, and the feedback has been incredible. People are not only creating beautiful work, they’re genuinely enjoying the process, experimenting with lighting, trying new concepts, and making the space their own. That’s exactly what POP was built for.

One of the biggest highlights so far has been our Grand Opening Event. The energy in the room was unreal. I felt like my family finally got to see the payoffs of what had been a month of helping me with painting, moving, shopping, and more. Photographers were meeting for the first time, reconnecting with familiar faces, and we had great vendors.

Not long after, we hosted our first creative event, “Gel, Yeah,” which brought a whole new level of experimentation into the studio. Geoff was able to teach other creatives about the use of bold lighting techniques. Think bold colors, 90’s-inspired lighting, and photographers stepping outside of their comfort zones in the best way possible. It was one of those nights where you could literally feel the creativity brewing.

Looking Ahead

We’re keeping that momentum going into May. If you haven’t yet, please give us a follow on our socials and follow along on our website. If you’re a photographer looking for a creative space or studio, please reach out and we can set you up with a tour!