The Dream that wouldn't sit still


Opening Studio Elm in Elk River wasn’t just a business decision—it was a leap of faith, a long-held dream finally given space to grow. Like many big moments in life, it didn’t come at a “perfect” time. It came in the middle of real life: busy schedules, kids to raise, responsibilities to juggle, and a camera that had quietly become more than a hobby.


Photography started as something I loved—a creative outlet, a way to capture fleeting moments that often pass too quickly - especially documenting my own children. Over time, it grew into something deeper. What once fit into pockets of free time started demanding more space, more intention, more purpose.

That whisper—you could do more with this—eventually became impossible to ignore. Studio Elm was born from that feeling. The desire to create a space that felt both professional and welcoming. A place where stories could unfold naturally, where families could be themselves, and where photography could feel less rushed and more meaningful.


And let me be honest: building something from the ground up while raising a family is not glamorous. There are plenty of early mornings editing before anyone wakes up. Late nights answering emails after the house is quiet. Days when schedules collide and you’re shifting gears from “mom mode” to “business owner” in a matter of minutes. Some days feel seamless. Others feel like a constant juggle. And yet—there’s something incredibly grounding about it, too. My kids are seeing what it looks like to build something, to take a risk, to pursue something meaningful. And that matters just as much as anything else.


Studio Elm wasn’t built despite being a busy mom—it was built alongside it. The flexibility, the empathy, the understanding of what families need during sessions—that all comes from living it firsthand.


So to me, Studio Elm is more than just a physical space. It represents:


Taking a chance on yourself

Building something meaningful in the middle of busy life

Creating space for connection, not just photos

And proving that you don’t have to wait for life to slow down before you start something new


This is just the beginning.


There’s so much I’m excited to grow into—new sessions, new creative ideas, new families walking through the doors. But at the heart of it, the goal stays the same: to create a space that feels genuine, calm, and full of life.


Because in the end, the most meaningful moments aren’t perfectly planned—they just need a place to be seen.


— Amy