By Ailyn Adame
OMAHA, Neb. — As more creative studios open across Omaha, photographers and small business owners are finding new ways to create and collaborate without the high cost of owning their own space.
Hourly rental studios are becoming a growing option, offering fully equipped spaces with lighting, props, backdrops, and resources that can be expensive to purchase individually.
For photographer and In the Moment Creative Studio founder Paige Telley, having access to a private and controlled environment has changed the way she works.
“It gives us a quiet space where we can talk and collaborate and then we can work on what we are doing so we keep to the game plan the whole time,” Telley said. “It is a little more efficient when you just have a private space on your own and it also just gives more diversity in my photographs when I can change up the background, change up the props it allows me to make each client shoot unique.”
But beyond efficiency, studio owners say these spaces are also helping shape Omaha’s creative community.
MJ Peters, founder of Studio Daze, said the goal is to make creative work more accessible to people at all experience levels.
“It’s a very DIY art scene, so it’s very accepting to creators who are just starting out all the way to professionals who shoot every day,” Peters said. “I wanted to create this space as like a neutral zone for anyone at any level to be able to come in and create.”
Other studio owners say the flexibility of these spaces also allows them to serve a wider range of creative uses.
Ariel Panowicz, founder of Luli Creative House, said the spaces can be used for more than just photography.
“I think spaces like these are really important, not only for the creative community, but for the whole community,” Panowicz said. “It’s a space that is really flexible and allows people to try different things whether it’s a food workshop, bringing people together for a book launch, so the possibilities really are endless with how people can use the space to help grow their business.”
Studios like these are used by a range of people, from photographers and content creators to small business owners creating marketing content or hosting events.
The rise of these shared creative spaces reflects a broader shift toward more flexible and collaborative work environments, especially for freelancers and small businesses who may not have the resources to invest in their own studio.
As Omaha’s creative scene continues to grow, these studios are becoming more than just rental spaces they are places where people can collaborate, experiment and develop their work regardless of experience level.
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