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THE HOLMSTEAD STUDIO

The Holmstead Studio is an outdoor and indoor venue for professional photographers to rent for families, couples, commercial endeavors and more. It looks like a home, because it is our well-loved home.
Located in Karns, a country suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee.

See below for decor dates and FAQs

Seasonal Decor dates and more

 

Our Instagram always has the most up to date photos and videos of our sets. Check it out www.instagram.com/theholmsteadstudio

 

Now booking through December 2025

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New listing: Cottage Bundle now available and includes complete privacy onsite with the interior first floor of the Cottage, Glassholm and Outdoor Studios all in one package for $200/hr with a 3 hour minimum. This includes restroom access and photography in the kitchen. 

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MINIS: We love the busy-ness of minis. But we've learned our property has its limits. If you're hosting minis or an extended family session, you must book both studios. This ensures privacy for you and your clients. They're able to walk around and enjoy the property while waiting for their session without you worrying about them crossing boundaries with another photographer or getting invoiced after your session. It'll also make parking easier for everyone. If you're hosting more than 3 groups in one hour or an extended family session, book the "minis/both" listing. All santa bookings must book this listing also. Even if you only use one studio, you must book.

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Christmas:

The Christmas set will have a similar vibe to last year - think warm, vintage cottage meets old world Christmas. The 1940s raw wood workbench will be a gift wrap set lots of kraft paper wrapped gifts, deep green ribbons, gift wrap rolls, etc. We'll have a ladder there for easy access too.

We're also keeping the light set in our alcove within the Glassholm but with a Christmas twist. That set is inspired by "The Holiday" movie scene "The Three Musketeers." 

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​Our clothesline will be staying through 2026! You are welcome to use our linens and vintage pins. They're located in the mini greenhouse beside the clothesline. 

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Valentine's 2026 will be 12/28 through 2/13
OPEN VALENTINE'S DAY ELOPEMENT event 2/14/2026 (booking actual elopements with Ellery Blue Weddings https://www.elleryblue.com/)
Light Spring/empty studio 2/20-3/6/2026
Easter March 6-April 6, 2026
Spring Refresh April 7, 2026
Americana Celebration (4th of July) will be June 11-July 5, 2026

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*Be sure to read below for our FAQs*​

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I'd love to give you a tour anytime! We love meeting you before your sessions if at all possible. Enjoy the season! -Ashley and Tom

ashley-house-1.jpg

Call Ashley

865.214.6180

Email 

ashley@holmsteadstudio.com

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I'm not a photographer, can I rent your studio?

No. You must be a professional photographer to rent our studios. To find a photographer who enjoys sessions here, visit our social media. If you're working with a photographer and they've asked you to book the studio, you must let us know who your photographer is when you book. If you're new here, we will ask you to show us your photography booking site and/or social media handles showing your professional work of clients.

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However, you are able to rent our property for events. There is a 3hr minimum and it is best for events like adult birthday parties, craft nights, bridal teas, engagement parties, etc. We also have an event planner we partner with if you'd like a luxe experience. Contact Ashley for the details.

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What if I need to set up before my session?

We have a 5 minute buffer in between sessions. Our studio is already set up for sessions with a variety of shooting locations. We put great effort into our sets and property so you can focus on your clients and enjoy the moment. If you are coming for multiple hours and need a little extra time or something moved across sets, please let us know in advance. We can normally accommodate this when it isn't prime season (Oct-Dec).


What is your cancellation policy?

Rescheduling close to your session time means the studio cannot recover that lost session. 

Outdoor Studio only: You are able to reschedule due to inclement weather if you reach out to me (Ashley) a couple hours before the start of your Outdoor session. If you need to reschedule due to an emergency,  just ask Ashley as soon as possible. Please note that the Glassholm would most likely be available so you could request to book that instead of a reschedule for the same price as the outdoor in the case of inclement weather. 

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Glassholm and "both studios" listings are not weather dependent. During severe weather alerts (such as flash flooding, snow storms, etc), Ashley will preemptively reach out to reschedule. If an emergency arises, please reach out to Ashley to see if it is possible to reschedule.

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As the photographer, we trust you are doing your very best to communicate well with your clients so they do not miss their session or take advantage of your kindness when booking/rescheduling. It is recommended you have your own no-show policy. If hosting mins, we trust you are being responsible and advertising well in advance for your mini sessions. Rescheduling close to your session time means the studio cannot recover that lost session. 


If a session is rescheduled, it does need to be re-booked with the same type of booking.

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What if we run over or want to start early?

If you run over after your reserved time, you will be invoiced for the extra time in 30 minute increments. So if you stay an extra 10 minutes, you're charged for 30. This also applies if you arrive early and exit your vehicle(s) earlier than 5 minutes before your session. You are responsible for communicating this with your clients. Clients must wait for you (the photographer) to escort them on the property. We appreciate you respecting the time you have reserved. 

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The 5 minute "Buffer" is not for extra shooting time, but rather time to allow for resetting and exiting the studio.


Where do I park?

Park on the driveway whenever possible and pull all the way up to our carport. Overflow parking should stay on one side of the road across the street from our house, mostly on the grass. During peak seasons, there will be parking signs to help. Parking on the road, blocking traffic will result in our neighbors calling a tow!

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What are you planning for the future?

So many things! We're working with Ellery Blue Weddings to launch an elopement package in the Glassholm and outdoor spaces. This is now available!
 

What about confetti?

We do not allow confetti, water balloons, fireworks, silly string, fire, etc. We do allow edible items, just remember to leave no trace at the end of your session. Smash cakes are just fine - just let me know when you book. No smoking or vaping. 

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Is there a changing room or bathroom available?

There is not a bathroom on site unless you've booked the Cottage Bundle. The closest bathroom is McDonalds on Oak Ridge Hwy, a .4 mile/1 minute away by car.

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The Glassholm Indoor Studio does have a changing room with privacy curtains.
 

B o u d o i r sessions (maternity or not) are not allowed at The Holmstead in any capacity. While you will get a private session, please respect our home. We may be home as well as our neighbors during your session. There are also cameras everywhere except changing spaces.

 

Mini sessions are allowed in most cases. We just need to avoid sessions shorter than 10 minutes as our street is a one lane road.  Please specify if you're hosting minis by adding it to the "type of session" at checkout.
 

​We love the busy-ness of minis. But we've learned our property has its limits. If you're hosting minis or an extended family session, you must book both studios. This ensures privacy for you and your clients. They're able to walk around and enjoy the property while waiting for their session without you worrying about them crossing boundaries with another photographer or getting invoiced after your session. It'll also make parking easier for everyone. If you're hosting more than 3 groups in one hour, book the "minis/both" listing. 
 

There is a max of 6 groups within an hour. Extended family sessions must book a full hour.

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The 5 minute "buffer" is not for extra shooting time, but rather time to allow for resetting the studio and exiting the property.

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When you book with us, we try to reshare content of yours relating to your upcoming minis on social media. While we hope this will bring you new clients, it may not and should not be expected to. We are just the studio rental and you should book based on how you expect your clients to respond.

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Pets are welcome in the outdoor studio. Just email/DM me at the time of booking. At this time, we do not allow pets inside the Glassholm. If you book the Glassholm, they are welcome to stay outside in the courtyard leashed, but they cannot go inside.

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If you do not clean up after your/your client's pet, you will not be welcome back to our studio in the future and/or may have a fine of $250.

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Can I park in the field? Maybe. We do not have access to our back field without making significant preparations. Our home is old and pipes are in unusual places. Please message me prior to booking for this request.

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Can we use the porch swings? Yes! We do switch them out occasionally so if there's one in particular you need, just let me know when you book and I can tell you what we have at the moment.

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Tell me more about the landscape.

We’re located on a small mostly public road in Karns, TN. The road is what you see on my website and Instagram. From the street, you can easily get backgrounds with wooded, grassy hills, tree walls, flowers, etc. Most shots will have a lot of dimension. The Holmstead is mostly flat, however the forestry and grass surrounding it is on varying elevations. There are tree swings, a rope ladder on a tree available for your use. In summer, there are blackberries on the outside of the fence in the back of the cottage. In the fall, the road is absolutely breathtaking with the plethora of fall colors and tall trees. 

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When using the road during your session, please be considerate of our neighbors. We value them. This is their home too. If you or your guests block vehicles from passing, we will not be able to invite you back. Yes, they will let us know. If you're staying after your session has ended to get shots on our street, you must move your vehicles from our driveway. We may have a session or appointment right after your reservation. We appreciate you respecting the time you have reserved.

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We now have a rustic greenhouse-inspired indoor studio with changing space available behind our cottage and carport. We call it the Glassholm Indoor Greenhouse Studio. The easiest way to access it is by walking over the short stone wall beside our driveway and walking toward the back of the property. You cannot miss it. It is stunning and unlike anything in our area.

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Children should always be supervised.

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For a complete map of areas you’re able to utilize, ask Ashley.

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Will you be at our session?

No, you’ll have a private session. We may be inside our home (unless you book the Cottage Bundle) or off site, but we’ll likely be close enough to assist in an emergency. If you know you need something specific for the shoot, let me know in advance so your session isn’t interrupted. My cell phone number is 865-214-6180 (Ashley).

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​Cover image photography by gulnazgravesphotography
Portfolio and listing images by thesarahjaynephotography, bandersonphotography, rebekahwilliamsphotography, kelseydphotography, leahbinghamphotography, Ash's Aesthetics

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Maternity sessions, engagement sessions, bridal sessions, family sessions, milestones, grandparent sessions, prom sessions from Farragut High School, Karns High School, Hardin Valley High School, Bearden High School, Clinton High School, Oak Ridge High School, West High School  Christian Academy of Knoxville, Grace Christian Academy prom, motherhood, couples, headshots, knoxville venue, karns studio, knoxville studio, knoxville indoor studio, knoxville outdoor studio, hardin valley studio, heirloom, milestone sessions, motherhood sessions, commercial location shoot, photography location, countryside, natural light studio, first birthday photography session, natural light studio, knoxville studio, photography location, elopements, micro weddings, weddings, date night ideas, 

FAQs + Policies

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