Behind the Fancy

An honest look at building You’re So Fancy Studio—thoughts, mistakes, growth, and the meaning behind creating a space rooted in community, creativity, and care.

When I decided to open You’re So Fancy Studio, it was right after COVID. Before that, I had spent most of my twenties working as a wedding photographer for another company. I learned a lot, but I also felt held back. I was stuck building someone else’s brand and dream, and at the time, I didn’t even know what my dream was.

I felt stuck in life in general. I didn’t know what I truly wanted or what would actually make me happy.

Around that same time, I met my forever partner. Meeting him forced me to take a really hard look at myself and ask questions I had avoided for years: What do I actually want out of life? What makes me happy? I had always been extremely independent, and that was something I loved about him too. He’s incredibly independent and successful—a chemical engineer—and I remember thinking, wow, this guy really has his life together.

Later, I realized that a lot of that came from cultural pressure and parents who basically gave him three options: doctor, lawyer, or engineer. At the time, I was pretty naïve to all of that. But what mattered most was his support. With his support, I was finally able to slow down and look inward instead of constantly pushing forward out of obligation or fear.

I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life. It’s something I’ve always lived with and probably always will. That’s just how my brain works—and I know I’m not alone in that. Life is hard. I’ve been through hard things. And over the years, I’ve met so many people who have shared their struggles with me. It made me realize that, at our core, most of us are just trying to be happy and live a fulfilling life.

With my partner’s support, I did something I had never been able to do before: I stopped working.

I took time off just for myself and really thought about what actually makes me happy. I realized I didn’t enjoy the rat race. I didn’t enjoy chasing money. I come from an art background—it’s what I went to school for—and I’ve always felt that art and money don’t mix well. Art is a pure form of expression. Money is something we all need to survive, but it isn’t the point.

So I decided to volunteer. And I volunteered like it was my full-time job for a couple of months.

I don’t want to call out the organization I volunteered for, because it truly did amazing work. But there was a moment where reality hit me hard. Even this incredible organization ultimately revolved around money. I can’t fully explain how I came to that realization without giving it away, but I will say this: it completely changed my perspective on everything.

I thought, if I can’t find a place where I can give back without it being about money, then I’ll create that place myself.

Before that moment, I had never dreamed of working for myself. I honestly hadn’t thought much about it at all. But suddenly, I had a goal. I wanted to build something that could uplift others and give back.

And I’ll be honest—it feels uncomfortable to say that out loud. I feel self-conscious admitting it. Who would believe that some stranger genuinely cares? I’ve always felt a little abnormal, and I think that’s part of why I’ve struggled so deeply with depression my whole life. I’m not naïve about the world. I know how unrealistic this all sounds. We live in a world where trust feels rare and caring for one another often feels optional. But I wanted to try anyway—if only so I could say that I did.

So with my partner’s help, we opened the first You’re So Fancy Studio.

The name came from the song “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea. I resonated with that song the first time I heard it on the radio. I love how it mocks wealth in a way—how unapologetic it is. Our society is so focused on obtaining wealth, but for what purpose? Does money actually make us happier?

That song became my anthem. I weaponized it in my head. A reminder that maybe I didn’t come from much. Maybe I wasn’t the most educated person in the room. Maybe I didn’t look like the “standard” business owner. But I didn’t have to. Who decided those standards in the first place?

So I sat down and asked myself: with the skills I already have, how can I help people the most?

I’m not the most educated person. I have an associate’s degree in art from Macomb Community College—one that took me far longer to earn than it should have because of my mental health struggles. So I fell back on my real skill set.

I knew wedding photography.

I had photographed hundreds of weddings working for a company that focused more on quantity than quality. Teaching wedding photography didn’t feel realistic—I didn’t have a personal name in the industry because I had spent years building someone else’s brand. But when I broke it down further, I realized something important.

My most valuable skill wasn’t the camera—it was my ability to make any space photograph well.

I had photographed weddings everywhere, from food halls in Detroit to Meadow Brook Hall. I knew how to find the best light, the best angles, and the best moments—even in less-than-ideal locations.

That’s when the idea for the studio clicked.

What if I took everything I knew about what photographs well and built a space around it? A space designed intentionally so even beginner photographers could walk in and feel empowered. A space where the environment itself taught you how to succeed.

I realized I could pass on what I knew without standing in front of a classroom. The space could do the teaching. And in the process, I could uplift other small businesses, artists, and creatives.

The possibilities felt endless.

I’m still learning. I’m still growing. And I’m always looking for new ways to give back. I won’t lie—because I’ve never been motivated by money or the financial side of business, I’ve made mistakes. Big ones. Ones that nearly caused us to close. But everything in life is a learning experience.

And despite all of that, I can honestly say I have never been happier.

You’re So Fancy Studio has given me an outlet for my creativity, my innovation, my need to give back, and my desire to bring fun and whimsy into the world. I’m deeply grateful for what I get to do now, and I hope I’m able to do this for the rest of my life.

Before I end this, I want to say thank you. Truly. You’re So Fancy Studio would not exist without the people who believed in it before it was fully formed. To the first photographers who took a chance on my studio, trusted the space, showed up, gave honest feedback, and kept coming back—you changed my life more than you know. You pushed me, challenged me, and helped shape what this space has become.

Thank you for the late-night texts, the questions, the ideas, the “what if we tried this?” moments. I want you to know that when you reach out to me, it is never a bother. Helping you, supporting you, and being part of your growth gives my life real purpose and meaning. My happiness didn’t happen in isolation—it happened because of community. Because of you. And I will never stop being grateful for that.