We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Claire Blaisdell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Claire below.
Hi Claire, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Definitely from watching my father work growing up! He was the most dedicated man I have ever met. He taught me to always go above and beyond, keep going until the job is done (even if you have to stay up all night), and to focus when you’re working on something really important.
He was dedicated to his job working for the government for sure, but it was more about watching him at home. Whatever task he chose for the day, he worked tirelessly until it was done. From shoveling the driveway to renovating our laundry room, he had all the skills necessary and took the time and dedication to finish it all.
When I bought my first condo in DC, he helped me renovate it as well. We spent late nights there together painting, replacing lights and outlets, touching up the walls, etc. He was always prepared to help me with anything I needed and I really appreciated him for that. Renovating that condo was some of my final memories I have with him before he passed away from cancer so I really treasure them and look back fondly on how much he took care of me, even in my late twenties!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I do quite a few things that I feel are apart of my personal brand, I’m a mom of two, soon to be three! I’m an interior decorator, and I run our photography rental studio: Wonderland Photography Studios.
I started Wonderland Photography Studios for selfish reasons—I needed a new creative outlet! Wonderland is a unique photography studio with four beautiful, rentable sets, but here’s the twist: I’m not a photographer; I’m a designer.
After having our first daughter, my husband Grant and I decided that I’d stay home to raise her, so I left my job at the FBI laboratory in Virginia, along with my small interior design business, and we moved to Savannah. While I loved being a mom, I missed having a creative outlet. When I told Grant my favorite part of interior design was working with clients who trusted me to design freely, he suggested creating a photography studio where I could design sets for photographers to use!
After researching and planning, we opened Wonderland Photography Studios in November 2023. Now, I get to design whatever I want and watch photographers bring it to life with their art—a dream come true!
As Wonderland grew over the past year, it became clear that Savannah needed a central hub for photographers. So, we expanded beyond just the space, hosting workshops, networking events, and creating a real community where photographers could connect, learn, and grow. The feedback has been incredible, from photographers loving the space to their clients enjoying the unique experience.
What started as my own creative escape has become a place where Savannah’s photography community thrives—and we’re so grateful to be part of it.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
How to get sh*t done no matter what, being observant, and an obvious one but… listening!
When you’re growing in an area of your life, business or otherwise, you really have to get scrappy and creative and figure out how to get things done, no matter the road block. Ask people, do research, think outside the box, all of the obvious stuff but when you’re in a pinch you really just have to stick to it and keep trying things until you get it right or get it done.
Being observant I think has given me a step up in life. I notice tiny flaws, mannerisms, details, etc. Whether it’s about a person and what they really need from me, or about a room I’m decorating, noticing and tending to the details are really what take things above and beyond and make a lasting impact.
I’ve learned that a huge part of being a designer is listening to the lifestyle needs of my clients, not just the color or aesthetic choices they want. Because after everything is finished, if the space is beautiful but doesn’t work with they routine and life, they are not going to be happy.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes! We would love to meet anyone who has an interest in collaborating or investing in the studio. We have realized with the community we are growing, the more people who are involved, the better it becomes. It’s so important to us to keep the community around Wonderland growing and thriving in order to support the photographers in Savannah, GA! And in order to do that, we need to involve more people, get more input on what the community needs, and help putting it all into action!
We are looking for anyone in a creative or artistic space that sees the endless and amazing potential of Wonderland and who feels called to help us grow and foster the creative community around photography. They can email me! claire@wonderlandphotographystudios.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wonderlandphotographystudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderland_photo_studios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551831030692
Image Credits
Photos of Claire are by Laura Metzler. Photos of the photography studio are by Taylor Jarvis.
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