The Loft Studio + Space, Rapid City (the space I never thought I’d find!)

I admit it. I never expected to find this studio space in Rapid City.

And for nearly three years, I’ve been secretly sizing up every single storefront and building in Rapid City, in hopes of finding a space with pretty enough light to be a photo studio.

After all, every beautiful photography studio starts with beautiful light.

So there I was, walking into every building asking myself questions like this: Is the light magical? Check yes or no.

If yes, is the location easily accessible, in a good part of town, with plenty of free parking? Hm. That one was trickier.

And if I could answer yes to that, I was wondering whether the space itself had enough character and style to give my clients the elevated experience they’d come to expect of my brand.

It turns out, finding a space that met all three criteria was a challenge!

I was actually this close [—] to giving up on finding my dream studio space. It had become more like searching for a unicorn.

But when I stumbled across the suite above Nerdy Nuts (could there be any more clear sign from heaven?), I realized that Suite 2000 in The Gap building was something special.

Since moving in, I’ve actually had four (count ‘em, FOUR!) photographers tell me they had viewed this exact space in years past and they always thought it would make the ideal photo studio in Rapid City.

I also couldn’t get over the fact that I’d be sharing a building with THE iconic Dunn Brothers Coffee (because who doesn’t grab a coffee on the way to their photo shoot?). And I could wave at Hester in her new Proutty Pottery suite as I walked by on my way to the studio. I’d also be able to grab a craft beer or handcrafted soda (so good!) at Dakota Point after an afternoon photo shoot. (Photo studio locations don’t get any more ideal than this!)

Even my husband got on board. At first he wondered if I’d lost my mind. But once he saw the space and watched the transformation from dark-gray-and-black-carpeted office to the beautiful, light-filled studio it is today, he became a believer.

The Loft Studio + Space truly is in a class all its own. It’s truly a blank canvas where photographers, filmmakers, videographers, creatives, and content creators can book for their sessions. If you’re interesting in setting up a private tour of the space, shoot us a message (hello@theloftrapidcity.com). Or if you’re ready to book your next session, you can use our easy, online booking system right here.

I’ll be sharing more stories of just what it took to get this place ready to open for my fellow photographers, filmmakers, videographers, artists, creatives, and content creators. So stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories of how The Loft came to be … plus features and highlights of how people are using the space today!

— Michele

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