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Fletcher and Co Studio Tour
I can not believe we’ve been in our dream studio for a year and half (that went by quickly). To see our visions come to life daily in these repurposed shipping containers is truly magical and rewarding. I pinch myself all the time that I get to create in such an artistic space like this. So let’s start back at the very beginning, so you know where I’m coming from … the VERY beginning!
Our photography business was established in 2007 after my husband/business partner Eric suggested that I start my own. I had recently graduated with a BFA in Fine Art and could not find anyone who shared the same style of modern portraiture at the time, so we dove right in. We knew nothing about starting and running a business, absolutely nothing. All we knew is that we wanted to do it together and blend our educational backgrounds of photography, architecture and graphic design within our work. So we did just that. It was a bit slow going at first. Then when the recession hit in 2009 business started to pick up, way up. Many values were placed on cherishing those family heirlooms and memories. We were both lucky enough to go full time in 2011 and have never looked back. We signed the lease to our first space in a historical building and transitioned from doing IPS (in person sales) in our client’s homes to the studio. The second level red brick interior space was great for awhile. We started doing a few tenant improvements, hosting photographer meet-ups and we even launched a new division - modern studio portraits of just kids. Sadly after we had completed those improvements we were asked to leave. We were dumbfounded and incredibly heartbroken. We were also 4 months pregnant with our daughter which added to my emotions. I begin frantically looking for options as I knew I wasn’t going to let this ruin our business. As luck would have it a modern loft home came up for rent just a block from our current rental which meant we could have added square footage and go back to working from home.
After the birth of our sweet daughter Nova in 2014, my priorities began to shift hardcore. I worked less and soaked up all those newborn and baby milestones. I was beyond glowing. Motherhood was now my norm. Which meant the business and income was suffering since I was the lead photographer. Juggling parenthood and work schedules was no joke. No one can really prepare you for that change. It was also around the 6 month mark that I realized I wasn’t creating any photographic memories with my own child and I, together. My creative juices began flowing again. On a whim I did a mock-up interior session of us in our living room which had large white walls and gorgeous natural window light. This was my first motherhood session. I remember the feeling of that session clear as day (which is crazy since I was majorly sleep deprived), it was filled with love, laughter, snuggles and true raw moments. Something I knew other moms deserved too. I begin marketing weekend sessions and hosted them once a month in our loft. The response was eye-opening.
We started looking for another studio space again, as separating home life and business life was important to us. Two years later we stumbled on the MSA Annex project. 13 local retailers and restaurants in shipping containers located just outside of the downtown Tucson area. We inquired and secured the very last unit before the containers were even on the property! It met nearly everything on our wish list. We loved that this was a new build, we’d have our own walls, entry door, signage and be surrounded by like-minded locally-owned businesses. Each tenant was in charge of their own flooring, final interior paint coat and furnishings. A fresh start … We opened our doors in July of 2018 in our 800 sq ft retail + studio space. We now have an area to sell our Minimalist Fine Art Prints too. It’s been an absolute blast running this business with our daughter. She greets clients and customers on the weekends, asks about assisting with babies and knows we are creating something meaningful. Our journey has been long but I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel incredibly grateful we get to experience this next chapter together as a family-run business. 2020 is going to be EPIC!!!
Also ending this year with a BANG … I am so honored to be featured on The Motherhood Anthology Blog today! Head over there next to see my interview on all things business, life and motherhood. Thank you for letting me share our story.
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Fletcher and Co specializes in modern natural light motherhood, baby, child, and outdoor family photography in the Tucson area, including Phoenix and Scottsdale.
I would love to begin planning your next session with your children, in my downtown Tucson studio. To see more of my motherhood & baby portfolio click over here. If you are interested in a portrait session with Casia Fletcher you can learn more about me and the experience here.
If you would like to reserve your date on my calendar, please click on the inquire form at the top menu bar, so I can learn more about what type of mother you are or you can email me directly at studio@fletcherandco.photo.
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A COMPLETE COLLECTION AND PRODUCT GUIDE IS SENT UPON INQUIRY