Opening A Photography Rental Studio In Albuquerque, NM - The Story Of Your Daily Studios

Overview

In July of 2022, I opened the doors to Your Daily Studios—a purpose-built photography rental studio located in the heart of Nob Hill, Albuquerque, NM. The vision? To create a community-centered space where photographers, artists, filmmakers, and creatives of all types could come together to explore ideas, create meaningful work, and grow—both personally and professionally.

At the time, Albuquerque lacked a truly professional, well-equipped, and accessible studio available for rent. I had personally outgrown the space I was working in, and I saw an opportunity—not just for myself, but for the larger creative community. Your Daily Studios was built with the belief that having access to the right tools and environment can make all the difference. I wanted to build more than just four walls and lights—I wanted to help build a creative ecosystem.

Venturing Into the Unknown

One of the biggest challenges I faced when seriously pursuing this idea was the lack of market data. There was no clear blueprint, no local model to reference, and no way to predict if it would succeed. Opening a creative studio space isn’t a groundbreaking concept in itself—most major cities have several rental photography studios available. But Albuquerque didn’t.

In my mind, it could go one of two ways: either it would thrive because there was nothing like it here, or there was a reason there is nothing like it here. That uncertainty was real. Like any reasonable man, I thought upon the wise words of Muhammad Ali "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

So, I leaned into the risk. I believed in the concept, and more importantly, I believed in how I would build and run it. I didn’t want loans, partnerships, or contractors. I wanted to create this space—Your Daily Studios—entirely on my own terms. Built from the ground up with my own two hands. An independent creative studio for the community, powered by passion and grit.

Finding the Space

Surprisingly, one of the most difficult parts of launching Your Daily Studios was simply finding the right space. I spent nearly a year researching listings, touring commercial spaces, and chasing leads—but nothing felt quite right. Each spot I visited seemed to be missing something essential. I was getting close to walking away from the idea altogether.

Then, in May of 2022, I stumbled across a Craigslist listing titled simply: “Space for Rent.” It included one blurry photo—probably taken on a flip phone—and a vague description with a phone number. It wasn’t promising, but something told me to check it out.

When I arrived, I found a space that was, honestly, rough. Really rough. But it had potential. I could see the bones, the possibilities, the final product in my mind.

Anyone who’s ever bought a home or commercial property knows how rare it is to find something that checks every box. You look for the one that checks most of them—and this one did. It had good bones, the right location, and just enough character to make it work. I knew it could become the photography studio space Albuquerque needed.

The Build

Now came the fun part—or at least, the part that looked fun from a distance: building out the space. But before I could start creating anything beautiful, there was a long list of not-so-glamorous “rehab” tasks just to get the space to a usable starting point.

The space needed everything.

I completely gutted the interior, deep-cleaned every inch, and repainted all the walls and ceilings. I replaced all the outdated lighting and electrical systems myself—no contractors, no hired help. Just me, a tight budget, and a vision.

I committed to building Your Daily Studios with my own two hands. Every single piece of furniture was custom-built. Every wall, fixture, and surface was thought through and intentionally crafted. I spent 12–14 hour days, every day of June, cleaning, painting, wiring, and constructing. It was a full-on DIY studio build—from bare bones to a fully operational creative space.

Working solo wasn’t just a budget decision—it was a personal one. I wanted the final studio to reflect my own commitment and care. Every corner of the space holds a piece of that story.

Designing the Logo and Visual Identity

Creating anything of lasting value doesn’t happen in isolation—and that rang especially true when it came to crafting the logo and visual identity for Your Daily Studios.

I called in a favor from someone I trust deeply: my close friend and former creative director, Matt Roberts of Roberts Town Creative. Matt handled all the graphic design and branding work, and his contribution became a cornerstone of the studio’s presence.

He immediately understood the tone I was after—something clean, confident, and timeless. We went through countless variations and ideas, refining and reworking until the right one revealed itself. The moment I saw the logo, I knew it. It had presence. It had longevity. It could be used as a clean keyline or a filled mark—adaptable without ever losing its strength.

Matt has a gift for distilling a brand’s essence into something visual and memorable. His work gave Your Daily Studios the visual identity it needed—something that felt established from day one.

The Grand Opening

After years of dreaming, planning, and months of intense, hands-on labor, the day finally arrived—Your Daily Studios was ready to open its doors to the public.

To celebrate, I hosted a grand opening party and invited everyone who had supported the journey—friends, family, clients, and every creative I’d connected with over the years. It was more than just a launch; it was a celebration of community, perseverance, and the start of something bigger than myself.

The turnout was incredible. The space was filled wall-to-wall with people, music echoing through the studio, a photo booth snapping memories, food trucks serving up local flavor, and drinks flowing late into the night. Seeing the space alive—filled with laughter, collaboration, and curiosity—was the moment it all became real.

That night wasn’t just about unveiling a new photography studio in Albuquerque—it was about establishing a new home base for creativity in the city.

Gratitude

Looking back, building Your Daily Studios has been one of the most challenging—and most rewarding—experiences of my life. What started as a simple idea turned into something much bigger than myself: a home for creativity, built by hand, driven by heart, and fueled by community.

I’m endlessly grateful for the people who helped make this possible. To my friends and family who supported me when the future was uncertain. To Matt, for helping shape the visual identity of the brand. To everyone who showed up to the grand opening and made it feel like a celebration of shared purpose. And most importantly, to every customer, creator, and collaborator who has walked through the doors of the studio since—we wouldn’t be here without you.

Your support continues to help this space grow and evolve. It’s my hope that Your Daily Studios remains a place where people come not just to take photos, but to take creative risks, build ideas, and be part of something meaningful in Albuquerque’s creative landscape.

Thank you for being part of the story.