Our First Record: The Decision to Open and Our Direction
I feel as though I’ve written and erased this first sentence a dozen times. I often look back at the constellation of disconnected moments that led me here, to opening my own photo studio in Melbourne, and I wonder: was it all leading to this single destination? This studio is the story of myself, the photographer and creative director, and my partner, who directs our shoots. Did we always love taking photos of each other? What moments did we want to capture? Perhaps the seed was planted during a trip to Australia in 2023, as we wandered through the laneways and felt an undeniable pull, a certainty that we had to build a life in this city. Whatever it was, it feels right. As I became more immersed in the life of this city, my ambitious dream of opening a photo studio began to feel not just possible, but necessary.
However, I soon realized that in some ways, Melbourne’s photography industry wasn’t so different from the one I knew. It was surprisingly complex, and frankly, often felt overpriced for a service that didn't always feel like it delivered on its value. For the average person, the process of booking a session and then purchasing the retouched images was often confusing, lacking in transparency, and felt designed to pressure them. As I prepared to open my own studio, taking photos of friends and loved ones, they shared their own bitter memories of being lured in by a cheap session fee, only to pay ten times that amount for just a handful of photos. (Of course, the results were often beautiful. This is Melbourne, after all.)
For these reasons, the mission of my studio began to centre on two words: transparency and honesty. First, I needed to establish a fair price. If it was too cheap, it might signal a lack of skill or a rushed, careless session. My experience and directing philosophy aren't just about clicking a shutter; they include a whole process of adjusting the intensity and position of light for each individual, finding the right angles and mood, knowing when a rough-painted wall works better than a backdrop, or intentionally using shadows to create a compelling composition. It involves directing the subject to look their most beautiful, powerful, and true to the concept. Therefore, I could not take an absolutely cheap position. Yet, I also had to let go of the idea that I could demand the highest price from day one. As a Korean in my 20s, I am in some ways still an outsider in this city, and I'm aware that my professional portfolio is still growing. But I have an unwavering belief that as my portfolio builds, my work and dedication will speak for themselves.
And so, this studio is founded on that belief. It's the answer to the industry's confusing games and a promise to do things differently. It's why our pricing is all-inclusive, with no hidden fees or stressful sales tactics. The price you see includes the session itself and the final, beautifully retouched, high-resolution images.
This is more than a business. It’s a space where a modern, Korean sensibility meets the latest techniques, leaving behind the old-fashioned styles and the awkward, over-edited results. It is the culmination of a quiet dream, built on a staircase of unexpected moments.
And so, I invite you into this space. A studio built for my dream, dedicated to preserving yours.