Making It Work in Tight Spaces: Behind the Lens at Flourish

We recently had the chance to shoot at Flourish, a small-but-mighty spa tucked inside a commercial building just around the corner from our Kittery studio. Treza and Karen reached out after seeing the work we did for Niki Drucker at Moodra — specifically the shots we captured for her new head spa service. Inspired by the magic we pulled off there, they were hoping for something similar: clean, beautiful images that reflect the care and craft behind their own services.

We were excited — but we also knew going in that this one was going to be tough.

To call the space “small” would be generous. Flourish is intimate. Cozy. Which works beautifully for clients receiving treatments — but makes things tricky for a photography team that likes to move, shoot from every angle, and capture the in-between moments. At one point there were five of us in the room, and let’s just say: nobody was taking wide steps.

On top of that, there was almost no natural light. For a team that typically leans on daylight as our favorite lighting tool, this meant packing in our own gear and getting strategic with overheads. We were working around active treatments, limited space, and services that can’t be stopped, reset, or redone. Blink, and you miss the shot.

But here’s the thing — even in the least ideal conditions, the energy in the room matters most. The care Treza and Karen put into their work came through clearly. So we adapted. Moved quietly. Shot fast. Found our angles. And we’re proud to say we came away with a set of images that reflects the warmth and precision Flourish is known for.

Photographing people mid-treatment — especially in close quarters — isn’t easy. But these kinds of challenges remind us why we do what we do: to tell the real story, even when the space is tight and the clock is ticking.