Studio Neva: From Vintage Optical Shop to Editorial Studio

Studio Neva has quickly become one of my favorite chapters in the entire East End Loft Studios journey. It still amazes me how it all started. I wasn’t looking for a new studio and had absolutely no plans to open another space when I stumbled across a small Craigslist listing while my two year old was napping. It was one of those casual scroll moments, and something about the listing made me pause. I went to see the space shortly after.

What I walked into was an optical shop founded in the 1960s, run by the same gentleman who had rented this space for years and years. After all those years, he was ready to close his doors at this location. The moment I walked in felt like stepping back in time. Peach walls and nostalgia. It had a story to it, a warmth you only find in places that have been loved and lived in for a long time.

Even with all that character, I could instantly see what the space could become. I pictured clean lines, a fresh editorial feel, French-inspired details, and bright soft light filling the room. With the help of friends and my husband, Studio Neva slowly transformed into exactly that. Our landlord was absolutely wonderful throughout the process and even painted the entire space, which made such a meaningful difference and helped everything come together beautifully.

The name Studio Neva came from two places close to my heart. Neva is inspired by Geneva-on-the-Lake, a place filled with family memories. It also comes from the Spanish word for snow, a nod to my husband’s heritage, and the perfect reflection of the space itself. Clean, white, soft, and open, just like fresh snow.

Today, Studio Neva features a beautiful French wainscoting wall, a full paper backdrop system, and a bright, minimal, editorial aesthetic. It feels cozy yet elevated, simple yet full of possibility. And having it close to home in the South Hills makes it even more special.

What I love most is that Studio Neva wasn’t part of any plan. It was an unexpected find that turned into the perfect addition to East End Loft Studios. A quick Craigslist scroll, a 1960s optical shop full of charm, a wonderful landlord, and a whole lot of heart transformed it into a space that now hosts families, creatives, and moments I love capturing.

I’m so grateful for everyone who helped bring it to life, and I can’t wait to see all the beauty created inside Studio Neva.