Lightbox's 5 Year Anniversary Recap!

Lightbox Turns 5!

We had the best time celebrating 5 amazing years of Lightbox on Tuesday, October 1st! Our natural light studio and event space has come a long way, and it felt so special to open our doors and celebrate with all of you.

All photos are courtesy of Ally Jeppsen Photography

We couldn’t resist setting up a fun photo op on our rolling backdrop, complete with a beautiful balloon install by Dreamy & Darling Creations. Our "In the Studio" design added a fun touch, and it was the perfect spot for everyone to snap a few pics and capture the vibe of the night.

What’s a party without snacks, right? Our “sips and dips” setup was a hit, with a mocktail bar from 417 Cocktails and some seriously tasty dips—spinach and artichoke, queso, and hummus with a mix of chips, veggies, and pita. So good!

LaLa Links set up their permanent jewelry bar, and it was a huge hit! Guests had the chance to purchase custom pieces throughout the night, adding a fun, personalized touch to the event. It was the perfect way for everyone to take home a little extra sparkle!

To top it all off, we gave away over $900 in prizes, including a Nespresso machine and a free studio photo shoot with Portrait Novella. We loved being able to give a little something back to the people who’ve supported us over the years!

THANK YOU!

This night was so special, filled with warmth not just from the fall-themed decor and cozy seating, but from the wonderful conversations and connections happening throughout the night. Whether guests were enjoying snacks, chatting over mocktails, or snapping photos at our backdrop, the good vibes were everywhere. We’re beyond grateful for everyone who has been a part of our journey, and a huge shout-out to Ally Jeppsen Photography for perfectly capturing all the fun! Here’s to many more years of Lightbox!

Meet The Team

The success of Lightbox over the past five years is all thanks to the incredible support from our community. While we’ve loved providing a space where creativity shines, it’s the people who’ve trusted us—whether for a photo shoot, event, or just to stop by—that have made it all possible. Behind the scenes, our team is dedicated to making Lightbox the special place it is: Hannah DeVries, our owner, pours her heart into every aspect of the studio; Bekah Knapp, our creative coordinator and socials manager, brings fresh ideas and energy; and Hannah Lyle, our studio assistant, ensures everything runs seamlessly. We’re honored to do what we love, but it’s the support from all of you that keeps us going!

Q & A with a Photographer - Sydney Miro Media

Meet Sydney!

Sydney is a familiar face at Lightbox, and we are honored to be part of her creative journey! Keep reading to learn more about this extraordinary gal.

Photo courtesy of Sydney Miro Media

Sydney is a young entrepreneur in 417land who has an eye for modern, simplistic looks, which cultivate her editorial aesthetic. Born in Crofton, MD, Sydney moved to Springfield, MO, and has been immersed in the world of media since 2019. While her specialty is portrait photography, she occasionally dabbles in couple and family portraiture, weddings, and branding. Not only are we at Lightbox so grateful for Sydney’s trust in our studio, but we’re even more thankful for her years of friendship. Now, let’s dive in and get to know more about the lady, the lore, the legend - Sydney.

 

Q: How long have you been a photographer?
A: For about 5 years now, ever since I got my first camera for Christmas in 2018! During the first 3.5 years, photography was just a pursuit of passion. I juggled it with other commitments, dedicating my free time to honing my skills, experimenting with different styles, and understanding the technical aspects of photography. About a year and a half ago, I made the significant decision to transition into full-time photography!

Q: How were you introduced to photography?
A: I was first introduced to photography as a kid, when I was immersed in the world of art and photos because of my dad! My dad has been a skilled photographer for as long as I can remember, and I have vivid memories of dressing up for his photos, getting my photo taken at numerous locations, and even being a part of his own creations of backdrops.

Q: Your work has a very distinct style. How did you develop this style?
A: I developed this style incidentally (the all-neutral thing I’ve got going on)! Funny thing is, I believe my mental illness plays a huge part into how my style was developed. My anxiety and OCD takes on quite a few interesting forms: amongst them being the fact that my brain does not favor color. Bright and vibrant colors, to my noggin, come off very loud, noisy, and unpeaceful. If you were to ever take a peek into my apartment or my closet, you would also see that the only colors present are white, black, brown, and occasionally greens. So, although I thoroughly enjoy other photos with colors and can appreciate that art-wise, it doesn’t sit right with my own creative and personal vision with the way my brain is wired! The more ya know.

Q: Who or what influences your work?
A: Fashion and editorial magazines. I love the simple, minimalistic look and also trying new, spontaneous, but also subtle, ideas.

Q: What would your ultimate, dream photoshoot be?
A: Photographing Beyonce… If you’ve talked to me at least one time in my life, you probably know I love me some Beyonce. She has been my biggest inspiration and role model since I was probably 3, as I used to pursue singing/dancing and she does both so well and effortlessly. Now that I am older, I have also grown to appreciate her insane work ethic on top of her artistic talent. She would be my dream photoshoot mainly because I’d get to ask her all of the questions I’ve been dying to know my whole life, and she is drop. dead. gorgeous.

Q: What are some fun facts people may not know about you? 
A: I have 10+ years of professional dance training under my belt, and am also equally trained vocally!

Q: Which accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: I was able to turn my passion into a career at only 18 years old. I was always nervous about graduating high school because of college (I am not a school person!), and knew I wouldn’t feel fulfilled if I made myself attend college when I didn’t want to. So, I made something work for me that I absolutely love and that didn’t require a degree! Self taught baby. Literally anything is possible if you work for it.

Q: What is your favorite part about using Lightbox?
A: My favorite part about using Lightbox is the wide variety of props and backdrops they have to offer! You can do so many different styles and themes without having to bring anything yourself because the prop closet has just about anything you’ll need. AND the staff are the friendliest people I have ever met! I would say the staff at Lightbox are my supporters both professionally and casually.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your clients?
A: Their trust in my vision. Most people I book like to give me full creative freedom for their session and trust my judgement when it comes to outfits, backdrop colors, etc. I think makes for an amazing experience for both me and my client. OH! And when 80% of my clients ask me what I want from 7brew before our session because they know I love it so much.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a photographer?
A: Being able to capture some of peoples’ biggest milestones. Whether it’s graduation, a baby, or a big birthday, it warms my heart that people trust me enough to leave them with pictures that last a lifetime and that might be put up in their homes!

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when first started as a photographer, what would it be?
A: It would be to try something new! I think I was so afraid of making art other people wouldn’t like that I lost focus on making art that I like. So yeah, Sydney - don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and your comfort zone, even if that post gets 5 likes.

Q: If you could give your clients one piece of advice, what would it be?
A: Ask me ALL of the questions! I never want my clients to be confused about their outfit for the vision we’re creating, and that cause them to not be fully comfortable or satisfied with the photos. So spam text me 5 times a week if you have to; I’m here to answer your q’s and collaborate!

Q: How would you like to use the studios at Lightbox in the future?
A: I would like to use the studios at Lightbox in the future by potentially going the non-photo route and filming! I also dabble in videography - mainly weddings - but would love to do some fun and creative film in the studio one day (maybe with dancers!).

Special thanks to Sydney for participating in our Q&A!

To find more of her breathtaking work, you can visit the following platforms.
Facebook: Sydney Miro Media
Instagram: @sydneymiromedia
Website: www.sydneymiromedia.com

A Modern and Moody Studio Wedding

They say rain is good luck on your wedding day! For Lindsey and Rand, this cloudy and rainy day didn’t keep them from embarking on this new journey together as husband and wife. Their time started out at Lightbox very calmly, with the photographer, florist and loved ones showing up to transform the studio into a beautiful backdrop for their wedding celebration.

The décor was simple and elegant, the first thing you saw when entering the studio was white, flickering faux candles adorning the spiral staircase. As you walk into the Loft, romantic florals sat on pedestals setting the scene for their nuptials.

Lindsey and Rand took full advantage of the photo studio prior to their intimate ceremony, using their florals and the black and white rolling backdrop to capture some sweet and modern portraits.

Photo by: Alyson Kay Photography

As guests arrived, Lindsey and Rand greeted them in The Lobby of Lightbox; sharing laughs and exchanging stories before heading upstairs to get seated.

Their ceremony was short and sweet - it was evident that there was so much love in the room! Before making their way to an off-site dinner at Flame, they were able to capture all of their family photos in the Loft as well as capturing more portraits outdoors al along Commercial Street!

We are incredibly thankful to have been a part in this special day and are so excited to share the beautiful images from their wedding day photographer, Alyson Kay along with some sweet words from the couple.

Photo by Alyson Kay Photography

Lindsey & Rand

THE PROPOSAL:

“We had been together for several years and had talked about marriage, so I expected that a proposal was coming soon. Rand really wanted to surprise me, but that was becoming more and more difficult. One evening after work, I was supposed to meet him at our new home that we had been renovating to do a project. When I showed up, he had decorated our brand-new living room with lights and flowers and asked me to marry him. It was completely unexpected and so sweet!”

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO HAVE AN INTIMATE WEDDING RATHER THAN A BIG WEDDING?

We really wanted to emphasize the close relationships we share with friends and family, so keeping things smaller allowed us to really connect with our guests and enjoy the day. 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE LIGHTBOX AS YOUR WEDDING VENUE?

We chose Lightbox because it was a beautiful venue that allowed us to have the intimate wedding we wanted. Hannah and Bekah were incredibly helpful when we reached out and helped answer any questions we had along the way. 

Photo by: Alyson Kay Photography

DESCRIBE ONE ANOTHER USING ONLY 5 WORDS:

“Relaxed, detail-oriented, kind, thoughtful, intelligent” - Rand

“Intelligent, driven, futuristic, thoughtful, organized” - Lindsey

DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING DAY IN 5 WORDS OR LESS:

Intimate, romantic, relaxed, minimalist

Photo by: Alyson Kay Photography

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO SINCE YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Since our wedding, we have finished renovating our new home and settled into living there with our dogs, Nova and Jack. In September, we plan on taking our honeymoon in Greece. 

Photo by: Alyson Kay Photography

Photo by: Alyson Kay Photography

Photo by: Alyson Kay Photography

 

If you are interested in having an intimate wedding at Lightbox, you can find info here.

Written by Bekah Schooler

Creative Coordinator - Lightbox

Meraki Workshop - Delicate Details 2022

Meraki

“Doing something with soul, creativity or love; to put something of yourself into what you create.”

Another photography workshop at Lightbox in the books!

It’s no secret that over the past couple years the popularity of elopements and micro weddings has been on the rise! Lightbox itself has been the venue for the nuptials of several amazing couples in the Midwest area since we opened our doors in October of 2019!

After meeting numerous couples, we were inspired to make this workshop all about the details.

Your wedding day is big, even if you keep it small.

As elopements and micro weddings rise in popularity. It’s good for photographers to practice shooting with the intention of capturing delicate details. This educational workshop helped photographers focus on capturing all of the little details that couples put work into making their day one of a kind and special.

Group of photographers in an indoor photo studio with a large floral installation above a white fireplace mantle

Scroll to see each photographer’s favorite images from the day!

Esy White Creative

“Meraki is the first photographer’s workshop I’ve ever attended. I’ve had the most amazing experience! Having no proper training when it comes to wedding photography or styled shoots, the whole event provides a healthy and safe environment for photographers like me. I loved the community and the new creatives I met. Truly thankful for the opportunity!”

- Esy White

Joy Photography

“My experience at the Meraki workshop was incredible and more than words can describe! Hannah and all the talented vendors did incredible work. It was so cool seeing the community of photographers come together and capture dreamy photos. It felt like a big family being together all day creating magic! I am so thankful for this experience and can't wait to go to another one!”

- Joy Boykin

 

A special thanks to our vendors…

 

… and our models!

Tylar Grant

@tylargrant

Drew & Cori

@drewblaine
@coriklee

Vince & Jane

@vince_gelei
@janegelei

Days to Get Married in 2022

Marrying the love of your life in 2022?

Here are the “cutest” wedding dates to get married on in 2022. Being that Lightbox holds quite a few elopements over the year, we included a few weekdays as well. I’m a little late posting this, so I’ve surpassed the January dates. Let’s jump right in.

Photo by: Tatum Nelson Co

February, 2, 2022

February 2, 2022 shares it’s day with the ever so famous Groundhog Day. For those who like to stay '“on brand” with holidays…. it may be a neat idea to work in some shadow like imagery during your bridal portraits.

02/02/2022

Photo by: Tatum Nelson Co.

February 20, 2022

February 20, 2022 falls on a Sunday and is stylistically pleasing as the numbers give off a minimalist look and feel. This is one of the few weekend dates that the number “20” or “22” fall on so get on this date quick if you’re wanting a weekend wedding!

02/20/2022

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022 is a Tuesday. Okay, now that’s a lot of “2’s” But quite frankly…this is the cutest date yet. Can you imagine all of your signage showing 02/22/2022? YAS, love it!

02/22/2022

Photo by: Tatum Nelson Co.

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022 is another weekend date! I like to call this the “countdown” wedding date. This means your wedding month has the largest number, in this case “4” and the numbers go down from there.

04/03/2022

Photo by: Tatum Nelson Co

October 10, 2022

We are skipping past all of the summer dates and headed into fall. October 10, 2022 is so cute and I could see a lot of couples wanting this as their wedding date.

10/20/2022

Photo by: Tatum Nelson Co.

November 11, 2022

Eleven Eleven….make a wish.

What a fun date to celebrate each year! If it were me, I’d want my partner and I to make a wish on our anniversary, write it down and come back to it next year to see if it came true. What do you think? Too cheesy?

11/11/2022

Photo by: Tatum Nelson Co.

December 21, 2022

A little bit of a tongue twister but definitely a fun wedding date! Not only are you close to Christmas, but this year, December 21st is the first official day of Winter!

12/21/2022

Love the photos in this blog? Show the vendors some love!

Bouquet: Fleur Floral Studio @fleur_floralstudio

Vintage Mirror: Abi Jeanne Marché @abijeannemarche

Dresses: Evermore @evermore.bride

Studio: Lightbox @lightboxsgf

Photographer: Tatum Nelson Co @tatumnelsonco

Videographer: @margaretkellenberger

London's Permanent Bracelet: @lalalinksjewelry

London (model): @londoncjohnson

Recap on the Meraki Workshop

We hosted our first workshop! We’ve hosted several small scale photographer’s shoot-out events over the last year and we knew we wanted to expand on them and offer an educational and intimate experience for the photographer’s in our community! This workshop was built to allow the attendees a space to create something new and dive into the intentionality behind their businesses as they move into the new year.

As we begun meeting with vendors and discussing the workshop in more depth a word popped into our Bekah’s head that had hung on her bulletin board throughout high school:

Meraki: [MAY:RAH:KEE] noun.

“Doing something with soul, creativity, or love; to put something of yourself into what you create.”

This word perfectly embodied what we wanted this workshop to be all about and how we wanted all of our vendors and photographers that participated in the workshop to feel as they created in the studio!

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We had an amazing team of all-female (HECK FREAKIN YEAH) entrepreneurs and business owners that helped make this two day workshop possible! With the incredible talent and help of Wildly Collective, we were able to offer two different styling themes for the workshop that focused on current and upcoming trends. The Dream State sets were curated and designed by Wildly Collective and focused heavily on a soft, colorful and “dream-like” aesthetic that has us (quite literally) dreaming of Spring!

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Our team at Lightbox curated the Modern Romance sets that used a more earthy tones and textures. We wanted these sets to focus more on editorial posing and integrate an edgy bridal session with a fun fast food twist!

We made sure to make the styled shoot portion of both days fall along the same overall theme but offer something new and exciting for each day so that the photographer’s attending could choose to come to day one, day two, or both days!

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Day One

This 8 hour day was filled with 2 styled shoots, 1 styling vignette and 1 tablescape. The goal was for each photographer to take the time to try new posing techniques and bounce ideas off one another while shooting. After the photography portion of the day, we congregated in the Edison to download our images and start editing. One of the best parts of the day was hearing from speakers Wildly Collective and Tessa Cooper on “Creating More Meaningful Work” and “Pitching your Work to Publications.” We ended the evening with a catered meal from Cafe Cusco (a local fave) and conversations around the beautiful tablescape styled by Wildly Collective.

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Day Two

This 4 hour day consisted of 2 styled shoots, headshot set-up, editing time, an introspective worksheet and learning about “Staying True to Your Brand Identity from the owner of the Ozark Mountain Flower Truck, Cassie Parker!

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Cassie spoke on staying true to your brand identity, finding your “why” and how to scale your business! We LOVED having Cassie here because we so admire the brand she has cultivated at Ozark Mountain Flower Truck!

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Our favorite part of any photography related events at the studio is ALWAYS the incredible images from all of the attendees! We continue to be blown away by the creativity and passion of the photography community in our area!

We are so incredibly thankful that this workshop was a success and ignited the creative spark in the community we love so much! We couldn’t have done it without the help of our incredible vendors:

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Wildly Collective

Dream State concept & design
Day one speakers

@wildlycollective_

leighsmithphoto-021.jpg

Kyndra Jackson

Dream State day two wardrobe

@neverwakemeup

(Photo by Leigh Smith Photo)

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Shea Brianne

Styling mats

@shea_brianne

(Photo by Rhianon Brown Photography)

Queen City Blooms

Dream State florals
Modern Romance head piece

@queencity.blooms

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Sand and Stone Handmade

Stone ring boxes

@sandandstone.handmade

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Cassie Parker

Day two speaker

@ozarkmtnflowertruck

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Lilac and Lord Baking

Baked goods

@lilacandlordbaking

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AVBS

Hair and makeup

@avbsalon_tiffany

@avbsalon_aerie

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Tessa Cooper

Day one speaker

@tessajcooper

(Photo by Elise Abigail Photo)

Kind words:

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Written by Bekah Schooler & Hannah DeVries

Four Ways to Get Yourself Out of a Creative Rut - For Photographers

It’s a little ironic that I’m writing this on a dreary and rainy day. We all know this year has thrown us for a loop, but for us photographers, the fall has been busier than ever. After all of the rescheduled sessions and weddings from the summer to starting, dare I say, Christmas photos…you may be finding yourself in a creative rut. Let’s fix that, eh?

Allow Yourself to Have a Moment

That’s right. This is the very first thing you should do when you are in a creative rut. Take a moment to just be in a mood because we all need a good vulnerable moment. It is easy to become caught up in trying to post every day or making sure you have something “new” for each client. It can be exhausting and take a toll on us. So take your moment….whether that is 60 seconds, a few days or a week and allow yourself to unwind.

Listen to Songs You Loved Back When You Started Photography

A little weird, I know…but this is something that has always helped me in the past. In high school, learning the ins and outs of my camera, I always listened to GIVERS, Two Door Cinema Club, Santigold, etc. These songs remind me of how I felt limitless and enjoyed trying new things. Give this a go and let me know if it works for you.

Create a Physical Inspo Board

Ditch Pinterest for this one. I love me a good Pinterest board….but how often do you actually take time to look at it after pinning your photos? Instead create a little mood board for yourself that you can print and hang by your computer. It’s satisfying putting together an actual collage and seeing it everyday.

Go Out and Shoot

Let’s be honest…we all knew it was coming because we all know this is what to do. After you successfully do tips 1-3, it’s time to grab your camera and shoot. Give yourself a break and put zero expectations on this shoot. Allow yourself enough time to experiment and play around with old or new techniques. Who knows, these could be your favorite photos of all time. ;)

Written by Hannah DeVries

Owner of Lightbox

The Up-cycled Photographer's Shoot-Out Recap

Who’s ready for a recap of our 3rd Photographer’s Shoot-Out at Lightbox? I know I am! The theme for this round was all things up-cycled! We partnered with Melly Reyes of Waste Less Apparel for this event! Melly gives new life to old clothing and was a crucial part in how this shoot-out came together! She designed and sewed outfits for each of our 4 models and GUYS! They were AH-MAY-ZING.

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Our team at Lightbox created two sets in The Loft using items we already had at the studio and re-used items from the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store & thrift stores here in Springfield! We definitely had to think outside the box for these sets but we were obsessed with how they turned out! Being mindful of waste and as resourceful as possible has been important to our team since Lightbox’s doors first opened, so we are extremely pleased that we were able to pull this off! We hope that this inspires you all to look at re-used items in a new way and get creative when you are thinking of styling your next photo session!

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Let’s dive right in!

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Meet Melly!

Waste Less Apparel was created out of the desire to be sustainable, attainable, & creative with the idea to waste less during our time here on earth. Every single one of these pieces are carefully created by my own hands with the environment in mind every step of the way.

As always, our favorite part of Shoot-Outs is seeing the photos by all of the INCREDIBLE photographer’s that come!

A huge so much to everyone who participated in this shoot - out!

We are so thankful for you all and could not have done this without you!

Models:

Jonathan Kenney

Stephanie Dejue

Nkem Nkiruka Chigbogwu

Meghan Jeppsen

Coming soon:

A 2 day shoot-out & workshop! You don’t want to miss this!

December 5th & 6th

Follow Lightbox on Instagram to keep up with all the details!

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Written by Bekah Schooler

Lightbox Creative Coordinator

Q&A with Meredith Tatum- Vibrant Space and Tine Art Co.

Lightbox is all in favor for supporting creative businesses in the Springfield area, and our team is excited to give a shoutout to Tine Art Co.! Meredith Tatum, owner and artist for Tine Art Co., is also a local photographer under Vibrant Space. Meredith used Lightbox right after the stay-at-home orders lifted, and we LOVE how she used the space! Read below to find out more about Tine Art Co. and how they used the Loft at Lightbox!

What is a brief description of your business?

“Tine Art Co was a concept I had in Sept 2019. Tine is the Irish word for fire and fire is something that I’ve often associated with who I am, who I want to be and who God’s called me to be. Ireland has also always had a special place in my heart. I’ve been painting since I was able to hold a paintbrush and my art has always been colorful, but I’d never felt like I found my niche in art until quarantine. I had the idea to do “Color Studies,” which is taking an object, memory, photo or season and creating a palette of color to represent it. From there, a style of painting seemingly fell out of me and fell into place and I realized I had finally found my specific style.”

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

How have you used the space(s) at Lightbox?

“I used the upstairs space [The Loft] at Lightbox to photograph my art as though it were in a home.”

What is your favorite part of Lightbox?

“The reason I chose Lightbox lies in the name. I love light, white, airy spaces and Lightbox is just that. It’s completely perfect for shooting really anything and I will be back.”

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

Any fun or unique facts about you/your business?

“I designed the Color Studies and Abstract pieces so that people could create their own color palette surrounding what they have in their home. For instance if someone has a blue couch with yellow pillows and loves green as well or wishes to accent with it, I can create pieces that allow them to tie all those colors together, making their interior cohesive. I love this concept because I know that people are often in Ross or Home Goods looking for art that will tie certain colors together and finish out their space. But I can take color requests and make them local, one-of-kind art just as easy and that is so exciting to me!”

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

What is your favorite part of your business?

“My favorite part of my business is the creation-portion. I love conceptualizing new designs and watching them come together on the paper.”

Make sure to give Meredith a follow and check out more of her work!

Instagram: @tineartco

Facebook: Tine Art Co.

website: www.etsy.com/shop/TineArtCo

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

Photos by: Meredith Tatum, Vibrant Space

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Written by Jaylee Branch

Community Relations Coordinator

lightboxjaylee@gmail.com

Gather Midwest Recap

As most of you know, Lightbox is a woman owned and women run business! With that being said, we not only try to support other creatives but also all women! We had the privilege of being the venue for an amazing organization that aligns with our beliefs and vision. Back in February, Gather Midwest hosted their second event and it was nothing short of beautiful and empowering! We decided to do a recap to show you what Gather Midwest is all about- enjoy!

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

Why and when was Gather Midwest started?

Gather began in the spring of 2019. Celia, Ingrid and I (Stevie) were catching up over coffee when discussion turned to us expressing our need for more community among creatives in the area. We reflected on how being surrounded by fellow womxn in creative fields and in business-owning had guided, nurtured and propelled us into becoming stronger business owners, but that it had taken us a long time to find those womxn. We wanted to create a space for those relationships to be fostered. We believe that this sense of community and camaraderie is what we need to grow into the best creative entrepreneurs we can be. Gather holds to the African Proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

How was your February event different from your past event(s)?

Our second Gather in February distinguished itself from our first in a few key ways. First off, the time of year and weather influenced the way we designed and decided on the experience we wanted to create. It was important for our last Gather to feel more intimate and cozy - reflective of the energy of the season. 

We find the wintertime months to be a time when folks crave more connection & feel like they are 'going it alone' in their business. Our intention was to uplift womxn creatives by utilizing an intimate indoor venue with different areas that would invite a sense of connection in creative, memorable ways (an area for yoga, a polaroid photo booth, etc.)  We also added new speakers from outside of Springfield to expand our network to St. Louis, Lawrence KS, and Kansas City.

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

Do you have plans for any future Gather events that you would like to share?

We are always brainstorming fresh takes on Gather! We look forward to integrating seasonality, the outdoors & sustainability at Gather as the weather becomes more conducive. We have also floated the idea of creating a Gather for young girls and teens, but don't have solid plans or dates for that idea just yet!

What all took place at your February event?

At our February event we dove even deeper into learning sessions from speakers and guided discussion among attendees. We held 4 speaker sessions, each discussing a different facet of creative entrepreneurship: How to connect to your ideal client using self worth, how to scale your business, business tools and marketing, and maintaining creativity. We had a catered brunch, professional headshots taken by Elise Abigail Photography, a grounding yoga session led by Jayme Sweere and lots of giveaways. 

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

What are your goals for your organization in the future?

From the beginning, Gather Midwest is about connection. Connection to ourselves and to others in our community. Our goal is to help womxn creatives and entrepreneurs deeply resonate with their immense value, identify their dreams, and equipment with community and tools that can help them achieve their goals. We recognize that we're not the "answer" for anyone, but instead part of the collective resources to be part of womxn's stories of fulfillment and contribution to our amazing community. 

We're not entirely sure what the future holds, but we constantly return to our foundation and values as we navigate each opportunity that presents itself. 

How can others get involved with your organization?

So many ways. 

- Become a sponsor of Gather Midwest. Sponsorships allow us to offer discounted tickets to womxn wanting to attend and keeps the overall price more affordable. 

- Donate a service or product! In the past we've had so many amazing donors gift the attendees with amazing and inspiring gifts and resources. It also gets the donors business name out there! 

- Attend! Joining us at Gather not only presents you with opportunities for connection and business/personal growth but also your presence adds to the collective growth. We need each other. 

- If you're passionate about an aspect of business or personal growth and love to speak or want to give in some way at Gather, reach out. We have some ideas of who we want to be part of Gather, but we also know that we're not aware of everyone. If it aligns, we're so open to bringing in new amazing friends to be part! 

- Share about the event and experience! Share about us on social pages or talk about Gather with your friends. Maybe someone you know could really benefit from this experience.

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

Photo by: Elise Abigail Photography

If you would like to follow along with Gather Midwest and see what they are up to their information is listed below!

Email: hello.gathermidwest@gmail.com

Instagram: @gather_midwest

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Written by Jaylee Branch

Community Relations Coordinator | lightboxjaylee@gmail.com

Springfield Small Business Highlight - The Vintage Rental Company

Hi guys, Bekah here! I may be biased, but Springfield has some of the coolest, creative small business owners ever! In the months before Lightbox opened Hannah, Jaylee and I talked and daydreamed about all of the amazing people we would have the privilege of watching create, style and transform Lightbox! I I have absolutely loved getting to know these beautiful people and the work they do, so I thought you might like to get to know them a bit better too!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Jaime Lile, owner of the Vintage Rental Company! The Vintage Rental Co. has a super unique collection of furniture and styling elements for all events, big and small! Jamie styled a gorgeous lounge area on the front patio at Lightbox’s open house back in October and has styled Christmas & Spring minis here at the studio as well! Jamie is SO talented at curating pieces that completely transform an event into something beautiful and special! I could go on and on about how wonderful she is, but let’s hop right in to this blog and get to know her and The Vintage Rental Company a little more!

Photo by Shelby Chante Photography

Photo by Shelby Chante Photography

Meet Jaime

Hey Guys! I'm honored that you're taking the time to read this, so let me start by telling you a little bit about myself. I'm Jaime--owner of The Vintage Rental Co. I'm married to the most talented man on the face of the planet, Clayton, who manages to run our other business Tantara Farms, while helping this one run smoothly. He builds things for me, and rescues me with larger orders that require our trailer....because this lady doesn't do trailers! We have two incredibly fun children, Winnie (5) and Cohen (2.5) who are always ready and willing to help me organize inventory and prep rental orders! Our little family is my absolute favorite, so you'll probably hear me talk about them if we ever meet (or have met) because they're my life! The Vintage Rental Co. is so special to me because I love being able to make a uniquely curated inventory, available to people so they're able to create an atmosphere for their special event that really feels like them! It has been so fun to see this baby of mine grow, and I absolutely love the people that I now get to call friends thanks to this business! I'm blown away by the talent in this 417 land we get to call home, including so many photographers that capture those special moments!

Photo by Keli Tetzlaff Photography

Photo by Keli Tetzlaff Photography

 

When did you start your business?

I officially established in August of 2015.

What do you feel is unique about your business?

Our inventory! I've curated a rental collection that is versatile and unique, with the idea in mind that you want something that reflects your personality! I also operate as an online storefront, so you're able to browse our full inventory from our website and create a wish list of the items you'd like to use from there. I try to make the whole process as easy as possible!

What is your favorite piece in your collection?

Can it really be narrowed down to ONE?!?!? If I had to choose, I think I would say our mismatched goblet collection. They're like jewelry for your table, and I absolutely love what they add to a tabletop!

Mismatched goblet collection - photo by Kailey Watson Photography

Mismatched goblet collection - photo by Kailey Watson Photography

 

What is your favorite event you've been part of?

So, since I began Vintage Rental Co. I've been invited to help Dogwood Ranch with their yearly fundraiser dinner. It's something I look forward to because I love their heart and what their non-profit does. Their vision is to see that every foster youth and at-risk family within the heart of the Ozarks has the opportunity to function fully in their God-given gifts and destiny, impacting future generations. This dinner is one of the ways that they're able to run and provide the services that they do to foster youth, and so it's such an honor to help them with their decor every year for it. I have loved EVERY wedding, shower, birthday, photo shoot and party I've had the chance to be a part of, but the Dogwood Ranch event holds a special place in my heart for sure!

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

It is absolutely rewarding when I hear back from a client how our decor was able to help bring their vision to life, and when they share pictures with me of how it all looked in action!!! I don't always get to see the final product since we're there for the drop-off and pick-up, so I LOVE getting to see how clients have utilized the pieces they've rented! You can see their personalities in the look that they design, and I LOVE that!

What is the best thing about your clients?

Just reading that question makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. My heart truly swells when I think of all the people I've had the chance to work with! I love the creativity and kindness of my clients. It's the absolute best to see their unique personalities come out in the pieces they select to use! I don't know what it is, but Vintage Rental Co. clients are arguably the coolest people out there!

What is your favorite thing about your job?

This is another one of those questions that feels like it merits a 12 point bullet list because there's just so much that I love about it! My FAVORITE thing is the people that I've had the chance to get to know and become friends with because of this business. There's an AMAZING community of wedding professionals and creatives in this area, and I have loved the change to get to know so many of them! Oh, and this "job" gives me an excuse to buy all the pretty things I find and love!!!!!

Photo by Elise Abigail Photo

Photo by Elise Abigail Photo

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm proud of the slow growth. *vulnerable moment to follow* It might seem silly, but my constant struggle is wrestling with the end-goal vision I have in my head with this business and where I'm currently at on that road map, and the comparing to other specialty rental companies I know across the nation. There are times where I want to rush ahead and check things off my dream list, but the timing just hasn't been right. So, rather than trying to force the growth, I'm learning to celebrate the process. It's an accomplishment that I am where I am right now with the rental collection I have! Especially when I think of the 50 milk bottle drinking glasses, 2 vintage suitcases, and 4 wooden crates that I started with nearly 5 years ago in my spare bedroom.

What do you wish you would have known when you first started your business that you know now?

CRM softwares are God's gift to the overloaded brain. I recently decided on one, and I wish so badly I'd been doing this since the beginning. It improves and regulates the client experience, and has helped so much not slip through the cracks on my end in being a one-woman-show.

What inspires you?

Quiet. Being a work-at-home mom with two kids that aren't in school yet, I don't often get to work in quiet. But when I do, I feel the most inspired and focused!

If you could add one dream piece to your collection, what would it be?

AH! This is a fun one! I don't want to tell you fully because it's a surprise, but I'm planning to add a special tool to my "work belt" that will make it possible to make some really amazing custom pieces!

Photo by The North Lens

Photo by The North Lens

What are some fun facts people may not know about you?

I went to school to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant and have a Bachelor's in Psychology as well. I'm allergic to peanuts (that's not really fun, but I feel like it's good for you to know so you don't open a Snickers bar next to me). We recently built a chicken coop and are about to make some raised garden beds (fingers crossed because every garden attempt I've ever made has failed epically). I'm left handed. I'm an enneagram 1w9. I'm a sucker for ALL personality tests! I LOVE talking motherhood and business owning! So, if you're a mom who owns a business- I am ALL about coming alongside you to cheer you on in those endeavors! It's not for the faint of heart!

What is one way you would love to see your pieces be used in the future?

Well, at the time of writing this we're in the midst of the Stay-at-Home order with the COVID-19 pandemic. (This also explains my incredibly lengthy answers because I'm starved for adult human interaction at this point, so this ALMOST feels like a conversation I'm getting to have). That being said, I CANNOT wait to see our inventory in action again for everyone's special days. It's been so sad to have to delay some of the most special get togethers in people's lives including weddings, proms, baby/wedding showers and birthday parties. That being said, my dream event right now is the get together I want to have in our backyard with our friends and family when all of this is over using our farmhouse tables and bistro chairs, table top decor, and dinnerware!!! I can't wait!

Jamie, thank you SO much for taking the time to share your story with us! We are so looking forward to working with you more in the future and seeing the path that you continue on!

Written by Bekah Schooler

Creative Coordinator - Lightbox

If you are a business owner in the 417 area and are interested in being featured on the Box Blog, reach out to Bekah at lightboxbekah@gmail.com

How Springfield Locals are Spending Quarantine

Hi guys! Bekah here! It’s been a quiet couple weeks at Lightbox! The COVID-19 pandemic was something we never expected and as a small business, we know it can feel like a rug has been ripped from right under your feet!

Photographers, business owners, makers, bloggers, parents and health care workers….EVERYBODY has been affected by this so we decided to send out a questionnaire to our followers and ask different questions on how they are handling quarantine, social distancing, and working from home!

First of all, on a scale of sweatpants to power suit, how are you handling quarantine today?

“Putting in the 9-5 work…but in sweatpants” - “3 cups of coffee so far :P” - “Scale is around leggings and a sweater lol” - “Power Suit! - “Jeans and a cardigan but i’ve been wearing the same t-shirt for 2 days” - “Scrubs!” - “Sweat pants FO SHO”

Photo courtesy of Sarah Storer - @Simplysarahbagarah

Photo courtesy of Sarah Storer - @Simplysarahbagarah

We found that most of our answers were from people who would fit into a “creative entrepreneur” category, but we did have a handful of health care workers, parents, service workers and more! We asked them:

How are you staying creative during this time?

“Hoping to do some self portraits and let my inspiration lead the way!”

“I’m having painting sessions every couple days & taking advantage of free resources!

"Daily meditation // gratitude journal // nature walks”

”Projects around my home and keeping up with clients and rescheduling”

”The No Way Jose 52 Challenge!”

“‘Shopping’ my decor stash and restyling my home instead of going out to shop”

“Piano, drawing!”

“Creating without boundaries! No set goals just fun!”

“Working on my business and investing into it!”

A couple local businesses also jumped in to answer some extra questions and give us some insight into how this has changed their work-flow!

Bree’s Little Closet

Brianna and Tina Barnett are good friends of Lightbox! They own and operate a mobile women’s boutique in Springfield and the surrounding areas! With everything going on, they told us they had to shut down their store completely, move every single item out of the truck and into their office, and transfer every item online. All of the events for the end of March and April were cancelled.

“How has the last week been for you, how has it affected your business?”

Bree’s Little Closet: “We have realized that we are not alone in this and every single person has been affected in one way or another. I’ve personally had to realize that it’s okay if customers don’t buy my products right now, because they have more important things to pay for. Some people have lost their jobs or have lost hours at work, so we don’t expect for people to purchase our products when they’ve lost their income. For us, we are okay! Our business is okay! We are financially okay! People have been incredibly supportive throughout this difficult time, which we are very blessed for!”

“What is bringing you hope and encouragement?”

Bree’s Little Closet: “The fact that I know we are not alone and that every single person has been effected by this in one way or another. I also love knowing that I have friends & family that are here for us if we needed anything! I love our support system!”

Bree and Tina also said they are spending this time enjoying the little things, listening to podcasts, dancing to music, binge watching Netflix and getting ahead of the things they had been putting off. Also just taking the time off to rest, take it easy and invest in themselves!

We love you Bree and Tina! You can support them by following them on Instagram: @breeslittlecloset. Sharing and liking their posts or ordering from their online shop! breeslittlecloset.com

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Leigh is a good friend and has shot at the studio several times! We asked how she was staying creative and she talked about how she is working on drawing a little bit each day and revisiting old photo galleries to edit and breath some new life into them! Such a good idea!

“How has COVID-19 affected your business?”

Leigh: “Photography has always been a finicky business for me, but I've had to do a bit of rescheduling and work out a couple of cancellations which is a new territory for me. Bills tend to pile on at the first of the month, so, I'm bracing for April.”

“How has the last week affected you? Personally, spiritually, or in your business?”

Leigh: “This last week has been quite mentally and physically exhausting but, oddly needed. I've been outside a lot this last week which has refreshed my soul and overall well-being. I haven't felt connected to the outdoors in a long while. Slowing down and "staying in place" has been a blessing in disguise.”

I think we can all relate to being exhausted by this situation, Leigh! Can’t wait to have you back at the studio once this is all over! You can support Leigh by checking out her work and sharing your thoughts or viewing her website, leighsmithphotography.pixieset.com or Instagram at @leighsmithphoto.

 
Photo courtesy of Sarah Storer, @simplysarahbagarah

Photo courtesy of Sarah Storer, @simplysarahbagarah

How are you handling social distancing?

“It’s hard!! I love traveling and I’m a sucker for talking to new people.”

“SEND HELP”

“My husband and I work from home so it’s not much change except we can’t go out together!

“OOF, it’s rough! Lots of tears. Lots of Netflix. Zoom and face time for hours.”

“I miss being around people… and I’m an introvert!”

“Horribly! I’m an extrovert! I get my energy from lots of hugs!

Right there with you friends! I love my home and Netflix, but i’m definitely getting stir crazy! Hang in there!

 

What is bringing you encouragement?

“Hill City House Church Playlist on Spotify” - “Friend, Family, God’s Word, & Nature” - “Making phone call connections with strangers and loved ones I’m in the same boat with” - “Music!” - “Through others! Family and close friends for sure!” - “Group texts with family, tuning into live IG and prayer!” - “Friends who check on me”

Local maker, Elle Steward runs an Etsy shop! She expressed her concern in these times with the slower traffic on her website and that her secondary job won’t be starting for another month. She also was very transparent in the fact that times like these have increased anxiety and are really hard on mental health.

”How are you finding encouragement through this time?”

Elle: “All the good people are creating in the world! I love seeing everyone band together & support each other. All the free resources & courses have been such a blessing. I’m staying connected by popping on live streams & zoom calls & contacting my friends all the time. I’ve spent more time studying the Bible & am leaning on my mom.”

“What is something you want to accomplish in this time of social distancing?”

Elle: “I want to grow in my relationships with my friends & family. It’s something that’s already started & I want to consciously cultivate it. I also want to do the inner work on my business so when this is over I can jump into boutique collaborations, craft fairs, & events with a solid foundation & quality products.”

“How are you handling the lack of social contact and interaction?”

Elle: “I’m actually more connected than ever! My friends finally have time to write me back & stay in touch, people are online doing calls & live streams & my social cup is full because of all of it.”

Thank you so much for sharing, Elle! You can support Elle by connecting with her on Instagram (@ellescottage) or shopping from her store! www.ellescottage.com

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As for me, I wish I could say I’m the type of person that got up every morning and meditated, did my makeup and worked in my office. HA! I’d totally be lying to you guys! You won’t be seeing any selfies from me on this post! However, my cat Georgia is very photogenic and has been enjoying the extra snuggles while I work in sweatpants on my couch for the 10th day in a row! Though this is a stressful time, I’m very thankful to have a good support system and a comfortable place (with fast internet) to get through it!

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The Lightbox team have also been working from home but we are so ready to be back at the studio and seeing all of your smiling faces! We love you all and our sending out all the love and virtual hugs to you!

It is our hope that through all of this, we are still able to provide a sense of community to our fellow Springfieldians! We strongly believe that hard times are a little easier when we go though them together, and I hope after reading this blog post you feel like you’re not alone! Thank you to everyone who reached out and shared their stories with us! While we couldn’t include every single response (this blog post would have been miles long) please know your answers were read and heard. You are all in our thoughts and prayers! Stay safe and healthy at home friends!

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Written by Bekah Schooler

Creative Coordinator - Lightbox

lightboxbekah@gmail.com

Photographer’s Shoot-Out Recap

Our goal at Lightbox is always to foster creativity and bring the community together.

If you follow Lightbox, you’ve probably seen a gorgeous floral set and a minimal editorial set popping up on our feed often! What is it from? The very first Photographer’s Shoot-Out event!

For our first Photographer’s Shoot-Out, we had 11 photographers, 2 sets and 2 models! Unlike most styled shoots, each photographer had different time slots so they were able to work with each model one on one! The first set was with our rose tufted ottoman, white seamless backdrop & a GORGEOUS floral arrangement from Queen City Blooms. Each photographer had the choice between our model, Karissa, wearing a fun, mustard yellow maxi dress from Lulu’s or an elegant wedding gown from The Dress Bridal Boutique! The 2nd set was a more minimal set with our model Soleil wearing an amazing sweater cape from Rent the Runway. In this set you were encouraged to really play with posing and focus on the art of portraiture! This set was basically a blank slate with a few props and really allowed each photographer the space to get creative in their own personal way!

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One of the most amazing things about an event like this is having several different photographers shooting the exact same sets and models but in totally different ways! It really showcases the individuality between each and every person who participated. I myself got to join in on the shoot-out and they are some of my favorite photographs I’ve ever taken!

And of course, this shoot-out would have been nothing without the incredible talents that had a hand in bringing it all together!

Here are the amazing vendors who participated:

Florals: Queen City Blooms

Hair & Make-up: Skyler Ellison, assistant under Emily Edgar

Models: Karissa Houts and Soleil Richardson

Bridal Gown: The Dress Bridal Boutique

Yellow Dress: Lulu’s

Sweater cape: Rent the Runway

Now the fun part, THE PHOTOS! Let’s take a look at the work of all these amazing, talented photographers!

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WILD WILD PHOTOGRAPHY

@wildwildphotography

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SHANA LYNNE PHOTOGRAPHY

@Shanalynnephoto

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ILLUMINATE PHOTOGRAPHY

@illuminatephotography417

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JWETER PHOTOGRAPHY

@jweterphotography

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TAYLOR JEAN PHOTOGRAPHS

@Taylorjeanphotographs

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GRACE KAY PHOTOGRAPHY

@gracekayphoto

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BLOOM AND BE PHOTO

@bloomandbephoto

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RHIANON BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

@rhianonbrownphotography

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NEGATIVE IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

@negative.image.photography

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STOECKER MEDIA

@stoeckermediallc

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HANNAH ARNZEN PHOTGRAPHY

@hannaharnzenphotography

@lightboxsgf

 

Can I just say…WOW!

After seeing all these amazing photos you might be thinking, WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE? Well, good news! I’m super excited to share with you the mood board and theme of our next shoot-out:

PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR SHOOT-OUT!

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There will be 2 monochromatic sets to work with and a table of props that will inspire creativity! It’s all happening on Sunday, April 5th! Tickets are on sale NOW! Get them here:

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Written by Bekah Schooler

Creative Coordinator & Studio Assistant

If you want to stay in the know about future shoot-out events, sign up for our email newsletter here:

PHOTOGRAPHER’S NEWSLETTER

Galentine’s Party Recap

It is almost March and love is STILL in the air here at Lightbox! We had an AMAZING opportunity to try something new to Springfield and put together our first Galentine’s Party! This event was a colorful and glam filled pop-up selfie museum! Sounds exciting, right?! Lots of hours, creativity and sore hands from cutting out hundreds of hearts went in to the making of this event! We cannot wait to recap and show you how much fun we had!

All photos posted on IG by the beautiful gals who came to the Galentine’s Party!

All photos posted on IG by the beautiful gals who came to the Galentine’s Party!

Featuring eight different set-ups, girls went around to each set and take adorable pictures to glam up their ‘gram! Cute photo props were provided for everyone to use, peep the heart shaped glasses featured above! Three of our eight sets were set up downstairs and consisted of: a lime green confetti fall, heart balloons with our white styling blocks, and our peach wall with fun plants and teal blue palm leaves. Upstairs we had a fun flamingo wall, XOXO wall, super pink heart wall, multi-colored paper chain set-up, and our shimmery cellophane wall!

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In addition to the sets, we were happy to have Rove Coffee with us and served iced strawberry mochas along with Ozark Mtn Flower Truck parked out front! We also had a fantastic giveaway that ended up having a value of over $800! We cannot thank the sponsors and businesses who donated for our giveaway:

Yoga Gab Retreats - Rove Coffee - Modern Society Boutique - The Merry Moore - Andy B’s Springfield

MarGorgeous Boutique - Olive and Ivy Boutique - Texas Soul Boutique - Bree’s Little Closet

She is Wonderfully Made - Alijah Storm Cosmetics - Illuminate Photography - 5 Pound Apparel

Rebecca Lynn Illustration - Tessa Bulger - Crave Cookie Dough - Grove Spa - Ozark Mtn Flower Truck

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Congratulations again to our giveaway WINNER, Ryinne Jacquemin! We hope you enjoy all your new goodies!

Written by: Jaylee Branch, Community Relations Coordinator

Photo by: Ozark Mtn Images

Interested in upcoming events?

CLICK HERE!!!

Q&A with Celia Duncan - Unions with Celia

We love to give shoutouts to all kinds of different creative individuals that use our space! We decided to do a little Q&A with someone who you can often find using our co-working space, Celia Duncan! Celia has such a sweet and caring soul and is such a joy to be around! Her calm and grounding yet vibrant personality can make anyone’s day!! Celia is so incredibly talented and we cannot wait for you to learn more about her!

What do you do for a career?

“I am a wedding and event planner.”

(Visit Celia’s website. You’ll be glad you did!)

How did you find out about Lightbox?

“First through Instagram! Once I knew Hannah DeVries was behind Lightbox I knew it was going to be something so special! “

What is your favorite part about Lightbox and the co-working space?

“I love several things about Lightbox. The comfortable company is number one. The Lightbox team and other freelancers are always kind, laid-back, and make the space feel relaxed while we’re all hustling. The space is well lit, beautiful, spacious, and the chairs are sooooo comfortable.”

What is your favorite memory from your career so far?

“Every time I help someone surprise their partner on their wedding day is my favorite moment. I love surprises! Like Kristen Wiig love them! One of my favorite moments like this was helping a bride surprise her husband with a llama and three baby goats on his wedding day. We tucked the animals around a bend in the woods during the couple’s portrait session. When we turned the corner, his reaction was priceless. It was a really cool moment.”

What is your favorite part about being a wedding planner? 

“I love the relationships I get to build with my couples and other wedding pros so much! They all inspire me with their vulnerability, abundant love, and creativity. I love helping people tell their own story their own way. To provide space and tools for that is an honor.”

What are you looking forward to in 2020? 

“My first international wedding! I’m also working with so many incredible couples on really creative and intentional elements for their wedding days.”

What is a unique or fun fact/trait that you have? 

“I grew up on the East Coast by the ocean. Water always brings me so much peace.”

Give Celia a follow!

Instagram: @unionswithcelia

Website: https://linktr.ee/unionswithcelia

Q & A with a Photographer - Sierra Eckert of Ozark Mountain Images

Welcome to the second edition of our Q & A with a photographer series! We love to feature the different photographers that use our space and see the creativity and individuality they bring to Lightbox!

Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Sierra of Ozark Mountain Images!

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Meet Sierra!

Hi! I am from St. Louis and moved to Springfield 3 years ago to pursue a degree, I’ll graduate this spring with a bachelors in general studies. I am super nature inspired, my whole branding is based on wildflowers native to Missouri. I’ve attended a lot of workshops and invested in learning materials from other photographers to further my business! I am engaged (fixin to tie the knot 9/12/2020) to my fiancé Adam. We have a 7 month old girl named Maelynn and love spending time together in the great outdoors.

 

How long have you been a photographer?

Full time for one year and a hobbyist for 6 years!

How would you describe your photography style?

Warm, romantic and genuine.

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What is the most rewarding thing about being a photographer?

Meeting people and getting to create. It’s such a relaxing outlet for me. I pour into the creative process and it is so rewarding!

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What is the best thing about your clients?

Their kindness and appreciation for what I do. I can’t thank them enough for sharing my name and giving gratitude where it’s due.

What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Portraits!

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when you first started as a photographer, what would it be?

Shoot, shoot, shoot! Practice makes perfect!

If you could give one piece of advice to your clients what would it be? 

Relax and love on your partner. The best photos are the genuine ones.

What would your ultimate, dream photo shoot be? 

Either a mountainous elopement or something on the water.

 
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What was your favorite thing about Lightbox and what did you use it for?

I did a styled portrait session of sisters and the lighting was SO BOMB!

How would you like to use the studios at Lightbox in the future?

More styled shoots!

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Thanks so much Sierra!

We can’t wait to see more of your work at Lightbox in the future!

You can check out more of Sierra’s work here and here!

Are you interested in being featured on the box blog? E-mail Bekah at Lightboxbekah@gmail.com

NYE Style Guide

Christmas may be over…but that means New Years Eve is right around the corner!

Several boutiques from the Springfield area have taken pictures at Lightbox over the past couple months, and we are LOVING it! So…we decided to throw together a little outfit guide for New Years Eve to give you a little fashion inspo. All outfits are featuring boutiques that have photographed in our space!

Lilac and Jade Boutique

A POP of color is the perfect touch!

Website: Lilacandjadeboutique.com

Instagram: @lilacandjadeboutique

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Bree’s Little Closet

Fun jeans and a comfy sweater!

www.breeslittlecloset.com

Instagram: @breeslittlecloset

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Waste Less Apparel

Go a bit more edgy with patterned pants and a leather jacket!

Instagram: @wastless_apparel

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Modern Society

Add a little glitter and glam!

www.modernsocietyapparel.com

Instagram: @shopmodernsociety

Q & A with a photographer - Jennifer Weter

We have had an amazing group of photographers join us at Lightbox in our first couple months of business! It is so amazing to see the individual style and creativity that each photographer brings to our space!

We are starting a new series of blogs featuring photographers that have come to use the Loft and Lower Studio here at Lightbox!

For our very first edition, we are very happy to introduce you to Jennifer Weter of JWeterPhotography!

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Meet Jen!

“I'm a travel obsessed, beach loving, sunset chasing soccer mom. I love new experiences, whether it's meeting new people, exploring new locations or trying new foods. My husband and I love to explore new cities during our daughter's soccer tournament weekends by visiting local restaurants, craft breweries and coffee shops. What photographer can live without caffeine, right? I've spent many years working in the healthcare industry, but I'm most at home behind the camera preserving the moments that mean the most to my clients.”

Head shot: Abigail Derrick Photography

How long have you been a Photographer?

I started my business in 2017, but my love of photography began many years ago when I was the photographer for my junior high school newspaper. After my daughter was born in 2008, I wanted to preserve all of those precious, fleeting moments. That's when I enrolled in a photography class at Missouri State University, and I spent the next few years soaking up all of the knowledge I could get my hands on. I still believe investing in your education is important, and continue to take classes and workshops. I was fortunate this year to learn from one of my photography idols, Tarah Sweeney

How would you describe your photography style?

I like to incorporate a mixture of portraiture and lifestyle images in my galleries. I know we all hope to get that one shot of everyone looking at the camera and smiling, but the images that really move me are the ones that embody warmth, movement and emotion. Every picture has a beautiful story to tell!

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What is the most rewarding thing about being a photographer?

Being able to document moments that will be cherished for generations. I always loved looking through my grandparents old photos. Seeing images of my grandmother as a child and young adult sparked conversations that might never have occurred without those photographs. It brought back joyous memories for her, and allowed me to share in a part of her life that I knew very little about.

What's your biggest fear as a photographer?

Showing up to a session without an SD card. So, I am compulsive about checking all of my gear before I leave the house, and I usually have several extra stashed in my camera bag, just in case.

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What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Newborns! The transition from couple to family is so incredibly life changing. Those first few days go by in a sleep-deprived blur, and I love being able to freeze those moments for them. Witnessing the evolution of a family, as their littles grow and as siblings are welcomed is one of the best parts of photographing families year after year.

What is the best thing about your clients?

They are graciously willing to be vulnerable and allow me into the most intimate parts of their lives. It's difficult to be that open and trusting with a photographer, but it's so important. This lets me document the way they interact with each other when no one else is around. That's where the true magic lies. It's an honor that I don't take lightly.

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when you first started as a photographer, what would it be?

Trust yourself. Shoot what you're passionate about because to serve your clients well, you have to be inspired. If a session doesn't excite you, you won't be able to produce your best work.

If you could give one piece of advice to your clients what would it be?

Relax! Don't worry about the kids' behavior, just show up ready to be in the moment with your family. I'll take care of the rest!

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What are some fun facts people may not know about you?

I was once a wedding cake decorator. I delivered many 5 tier cakes down ridiculous stairways, holding my breath the entire time. I had more than one nightmare that I dropped a cake during delivery. Although it never actually happened, I had enough near misses to make me never want to photograph weddings! Another fun, but embarrassing fact...I took a nap on the monkey bars when I was five years old. I fell off, face first, and broke both the bones in my arm. I guess being clumsy is a theme that has followed me throughout my life.

What would your ultimate, dream photo shoot be?

A couples shoot on the Kalalau trail in Kauai. My husband and I got married on the island and it will always be special to me. It's the perfect mix of my favorite things - beach, mountains, waterfalls and adventure.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Love, in all its many forms. Love between partners, parent and child, siblings, friends...it's what gives us hope for the future.

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What kind of photo shoot(s) have you done at Lightbox?

Maternity and holiday family sessions. Everything from babies to families of six.

What was your favorite part about using Lightbox?

It's so incredibly versatile! I've used Lightbox for photo shoots, baby showers, girls' night out, and the space was perfect for all three. I love being able to utilize the prop closet. We were able to have a gorgeous tablescape for the baby shower and I didn't have to haul everything in from home.

How would you like to use the studios at Lightbox in the future?

I'd love to use the amazing light in the loft studio for a newborn session

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Thanks so much Jen!

We love your work and so appreciate you taking the time to share your passions with us!

Find more of Jen’s work here:

www.JWeterPhotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/jweterphotography

My Personal Experience Using the Lightbox Loft

Hi there!

Bekah here from the Lightbox team!

I own Illuminate Photography here in Springfield and I’m going to tell you about my experience using The Loft!

As a photographer, I know how challenging it can be to find an indoor space for photo sessions that has adequate light and space while still being private!

Photographing in a comfortable and quiet environment really produces more genuine and relaxed photographs! My clients and the quality of the photos I give them are always, always, always my first priority so I was SO excited to utilize Lightbox to give my clients the best possible experience I can!

 

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a pet calendar with 22 (Yes, TWENTY-TWO) dogs and 2 cats and I jumped at the chance to use The Loft for this project. I had super consistant lighting throughout the whole session! Having this large of a project in a controlled environment really helped keep the pups more calm! The rolling white backdrop was the perfect tool to style for the different months and I was able to use several decor items available in The Loft and combine it with items brought from home to make this project come to life! If you would like a calendar to support Rescue One, please click here.

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Photographing portraits is one of my favorite parts about my job! I love being able to capture what makes a person uniquely themselves! I took some pictures of Sarah on her lunch break from her job during spirit week. It was 80’s day and how can you not get some photos when your outfit is this good??

I’ll let you in on a little secret; It was SO overcast and gloomy this day but we were still able to get some gorgeous and bright photos with only the light coming through the abundance of windows in the Loft! As a natural light photographer, it is HUGE for me to be able to stay consistant with the photos I do outdoors at an indoor location! There is no shortage of soft, beautful, natural light at Lightbox!

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One of the really cool things I love about the Loft is that it gets styled differently seasonally so you have the opportunity to create unique photos for your clients every time you use the space!

I am just as excited about this space (if not more!) after using it as I was from the moment I first heard of it! It really is an asset that Springfield has needed for a long time and I am so looking forward to using The Loft for many, many more photo sessions in the future!