When people hear “studio session,” their minds often jump straight to stiff poses and department store backdrops. You know the kind. But this? This is not that. This indoor session with the Howitt Family at Blok Studio in Downtown Phoenix was proof that studio photography can be minimal, creative, and full of connection.
I’ve been photographing the Howitts for years, even before they were a family of four. So when mom reached out and asked if we could do something different this time around, I was instantly in. I knew exactly where I wanted to go: Blok Studio, one of my favorite hidden gems for indoor photography in Phoenix.
Blok isn’t your typical portrait studio. It’s a big, airy, industrial-style space with clean white walls and tons of natural light. Basically, it’s a blank canvas and that’s what makes it so special. As someone who started her career in the cramped, cookie-cutter setups of retail studios like Sears Portrait Studio (yep, I started photography 20 years ago as seasonal part-time help!), this space feels like total freedom.
Back then, studio work made me feel boxed in…zero room to move, zero space to be creative. I hated it honestly. But stepping into this Downtown Phoenix studio space changed everything. Here, I can stretch out, shoot from wild angles (if you know me, you know I will), and most importantly, bring my creativity to life.
This session with the Howitt family was filled with everything I love about photography: real moments, real connection, and the luxury of time. We captured the snuggles, the quiet moments, the silly ones too…not just the “say cheese” stuff. And when their youngest needed a little breather? No problem. With so much space and time built into our full-length studio session, we didn’t have to rush anything.
It felt like a lifestyle indoor session with beautiful light and zero sweat. (If you’ve ever done outdoor photos in Arizona in the summer, you know what a big deal that is!)
Being in the studio gives families the chance to stay cool, stay comfortable, and still walk away with gallery-level images that feel relaxed and real. And no…this is not your JCPenney studio session. Not even close.
Scroll through for a look at some of my favorites from the Howitt family’s session at Blok. And if you’ve been curious about trying something new, let’s chat. I think you’ll be surprised at how different a studio session can feel.