A New Chapter For StandOut Photography
January always feels like a time to pause, reflect, and look ahead, and this year, that reflection feels especially meaningful for me.
In September, we officially closed the doors to our downtown studio space, a place that had been home to StandOut Photography for 15 years. We spent October renovating our new location, and on November 14th, we celebrated an exciting milestone with the official grand opening of the new studio!
This move represents so much more than a change of address. It’s the next chapter in a journey that started back in May of 2010.
From a Small Beginning to a Growing Studio
When I first opened StandOut Photography downtown in 2010, the studio was modest — about 800 square feet, roughly half the size of the space many of you came to know later. It was small, but it was filled with possibility, creativity, and a lot of learning.
In 2013, we expanded and doubled our square footage. That extra room allowed us to accommodate a wider variety of sessions — families, newborns, portraits, headshots, and more. Over the years, that downtown studio has witnessed so many incredible milestones: from growing families, graduating students, to wedding engagements, new businesses, and familiar faces returning year after year.
At the same time, the layout always came with limitations. Large group sessions were challenging, the shooting area was more segmented, and being located upstairs meant accessibility wasn’t ideal for everyone. As our client base grew to include more young families, new parents, and elderly clients, accessibility and parking became increasingly important to us.
Saying Goodbye to Downtown (With Gratitude)
Leaving downtown was not an easy decision. There are so many incredible businesses, events, and community connections in the heart of Lethbridge, and we were proud to be part of that energy for so long. We encourage you to continue supporting downtown and checking out everything happening through Downtown BRZ Lethbridge, who do an amazing job promoting local events and initiatives.
While parking and accessibility could be difficult at times — especially with strollers, car seats, or limited mobility, downtown will always hold a special place in our story.
Our New Studio Space
With all of this in mind, the decision was made to move south, to a space that better supports both our clients and the way we work today. With a short window for completion before Christmas, we dived into renovations throughout October and November. Long days and nights, but with some amazing connections, wonderful friends and staff, and a very supportive family, we were able to open officially in mid November.
Our new studio is located just off 43rd Street at WT Hill Blvd South:
Unit 40 – 545 WT Hill Blvd South, Lethbridge
We’re proud to be neighbours with Serendipity Daycare and Waso Physiotherapy and Massage, and we now offer free, easy parking right outside the door for all of our clients.
The new studio is approximately 1,000 square feet, slightly smaller than our previous space, but with a much more open layout. This allows us to comfortably accommodate larger families, business teams, and group sessions with greater flexibility. As dance season approaches, we’re also excited to have the room to explore more creative movement and jump shots for those beautiful dance portraits.
A Grand Opening to Remember
On November 14th, we officially opened the studio with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and members of the Chamber Champion Committee.
We were lucky to have Graze and Sip on site with mocktails, sweet treats from Bootsma Bakery, and a few other wonderful local vendors showcasing their services, including Lethbridge Twins & Triplets Club, Lethbridge Mommy Connections, and Essential Connections.
We also had Lovelee Face Painting on site offering complimentary face painting — which, as it turns out, was just as popular with the adults as it was with the kids.
It was the perfect way to open our doors: surrounded by clients, community partners, families, and friends who have supported this business over the years.
Looking Ahead With Gratitude
As we settle into this new space, my gratitude runs deep. To every family who trusted us with their memories, every couple who invited us into their wedding day, every business that chose us for headshots, and every client who has returned again and again, thank you. Every session, every milestone, and every connection is a reminder of why we do what we do.
Our lens. Your story. It’s always been about seeing what matters to you and capturing it with care, intention, and authenticity.
If you have an upcoming milestone, are planning for dance season, or are ready for a fresh, updated look for 2026, we’d love to connect. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
We’re excited to welcome you into our new studio and continue creating images that stand out — together.
Cheers!
Jackie
