GROWTH STORY
From living room photo shoots to landing 8 clients in the hallway: How a photographer found his professional stage
JKM Photography at a glance:
No dedicated studio space; living room makeshift setups becoming unsustainable with growing family
Professional studio space with networking opportunities and convenient loading access
7-8 new clients from building networking; professional environment for headshots and product photography
John Kelly had perfected the art of furniture Tetris. Every time a headshot client was coming over, he’d transform his living room into a professional photography studio—moving couches, setting up lights, creating a backdrop against the wall. Then, after the shoot, he’d pack it all away before his family got home. It was exhausting, unprofessional, and getting more impossible by the day.
When his wife and children needed their living space back, John realized his creative career had outgrown his home. At WareSpace, he didn’t just find a studio—he discovered a stage where his business could finally perform at the level his talent deserved.
Before WareSpace The Living Room Studio Shuffle
The Living Room Studio Shuffle
John’s photography career was a constant balancing act between professional ambitions and domestic reality. As a career-switcher who’d found his passion behind the lens, he was building a headshot and commercial photography business one living room transformation at a time.
The process was always the same: client books appointment, John spends an hour moving furniture and setting up lights, shoots for an hour, then spends another hour packing everything away. When his wife and he started their family, the house became increasingly cluttered with photography gear competing for space with baby equipment.
He knew he could offer more services—product photography for e-commerce clients, more elaborate headshot setups—but his living room limitations were holding him back from the professional environment his growing client base deserved.
“I either shot on location at my customer’s place of business or I had to turn my living room into a makeshift studio… when my wife and I started a family, the house got pretty cluttered. I knew it was unsustainable.”
John Kelly JKM Photography
Making the Switch Finding Professional Space
Finding Professional Space
John knew that if he was serious about pursuing a creative career, he needed dedicated commercial space. WareSpace offered warehouse spaces in multiple sizes, and he chose one step up from the smallest—giving him manageable space that was perfect for storing gear and creating a professional environment.
The space allowed him to set up a permanent studio where he could photograph headshot clients and products for manufacturing and e-commerce accounts without the daily setup and breakdown routine.
The all-inclusive pricing meant one monthly payment covered everything: utilities, maintenance, cleaning, and 24/7 access. For a busy business owner, the simplicity was exactly what he needed.
Where They Are Now A Networking Goldmine
A Networking Goldmine
John’s transformation went beyond just having a permanent studio setup. The unexpected bonus came from the daily walk from the entrance to his studio with clients.
WareSpace’s unique mix of businesses—companies making robots, body butter, barbecue sauce, and importing tin seafood from Spain—created constant networking opportunities. Clients regularly comment on “what a different environment” WareSpace is, and those conversations have turned into business.
In just three years, John has been hired by seven or eight companies just within the building, with meetings already set up with two more WareSpace tenants.
“Just that short walk back to my studio, you pass by companies that make robots, body butter, barbecue sauce, and another company that imports tin seafood from Spain. For me, that creates convenient networking opportunities.”
John Kelly JKM Photography
What They Love Professional Infrastructure
Professional Infrastructure
For John, it’s the permanent professional setup that changed everything—no more daily furniture moving or living room transformations. The space is perfectly sized for his needs without overwhelming overhead.
The building’s drive-in access makes location shoots incredibly convenient. He can drive right into the building, load up his gear in minutes, and head off to his next job without the logistical nightmares of street parking and equipment hauling.
How long does it take to sign a lease and move in?
What’s included with my rental?
Your rental at WareSpace comes with a comprehensive range of amenities and services designed to simplify your operations and maximize efficiency. Here’s what’s included:
- Loading Docks – Access to shared or private loading docks, making shipping and receiving seamless.
- Racking Systems – Available in select units to optimize your storage capacity.
- Property Taxes – Fully covered as part of your rental agreement.
- Utilities – Electricity, heating, and cooling included in your rent.
- High-Speed Internet – Fast and reliable internet to keep your business connected.
- Maintenance Services – General building maintenance, including repairs and upkeep.
- Cleaning Services – Common areas and exterior spaces cleaned regularly.
- Landscaping – Professional landscaping to maintain a clean and professional exterior.
- Security – Secure facilities with surveillance and controlled access.
- On-Site Parking – Ample parking for employees, visitors, and business vehicles.
- Shared Facilities – Access to common spaces, including conference rooms, kitchens, and restrooms.
- Waste Management – Trash and recycling services included.
- Community Perks – Networking events, tenant support, and other resources to help your business thrive.
Are there loading docks available?
Every location is designed to have the right amount of docks so there will never be a traffic jam and always be enough or the tenants to share. Most locations have 3-5 docks that are shared by the community. Traffic jams have never been an issue.
What different size options do you have for space?
Yes, all of our buildings are secure. We have interior and exterior video surveillance, access control and other methods of keeping it secure while still allowing controlled access for members, their guests, visitors and logistics deliveries.
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