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

A Look into The Lightbox Collection Presets featuring Before and After Photos!

At the end of April, the Lightbox Collection Presets made its debut! It has been a joy seeing edited photos using the presets submitted from a wide range of users, from those using smart phones to professional photographers. 

Compatible with the Lightroom Mobile app and Adobe Lightroom for desktop, the Lightbox Collection Presets are designed to enhance your indoor images with the click of one button. The Lightbox Collection Preset pack for mobile comes with 10 easy to use presets, from dark and moody to white and airy. The desktop version includes the same 10 presets PLUS 3 bonus black and white options!

“What if I want to make adjustments to my photo after applying a preset?”

Great question! Lightroom is easy to use and allows you to make adjustments with the sliders provided after applying a preset. Did we mention that Lightroom Mobile app is FREE? It’s a no brainer!

Still need help? We put together a guide and video tutorial to help you through making adjustments through the Lightroom Mobile app! Click here for more information!

Still on the fence? Who doesn’t love seeing before and afters? All images below were edited with the Lightbox Collection Presets! #lightboxsgfpresets

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Edited with the White Warm Wall Lightbox preset. Photo by: Jordan B.

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Edited with the White and Airy Lightbox preset. Photo by: Rachel M.

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Edited with the White Warm Wall Lightbox preset. Photo by: Sarah S.

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Edited with the White and Airy Lightbox preset. Photo by: Illuminate Photography

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Edited with the Backlit Lightbox preset. Photo by: Samantha M.

“I downloaded the Lightbox Collection Presets and I can’t wait to create a cohesive feed on my Instagram. The collection was super easy to download and now I have unlimited options of editing with these 10 presets!””
— Samantha Mathews
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Edited with the Moody and Grainy Lightbox preset. Photo by: Samantha M.

If you are interested in purchasing our Lightbox Collection presets, please click here!

Written by Jaylee Branch and Hannah DeVries

Lightbox Community Relations Coordinator

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