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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.

Enjoy the season!
Ashley & Tom

Fall & Christmas 2026 is now booking!

See below for decor dates, FAQs and policies

Our Services

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  or send me a dm.

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​New listing: Cottage Bundle is 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 2 hour minimum. This includes restroom access and photography in the kitchen.  This is not for event use.

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Events are available to be booked now with an established event planner on site. Please recommend us to your favorite event planner to help us make our spaces the most accommodating for you. The primary event space will be the Ladaholm (barn house) adjacent to the Glassholm and the first floor interior of the cottage as well as the outdoor studio. 
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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. We do set it up for you March-September 23 when you book the outdoor studio.​

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2026 Decor Dates

Fall in the Glassholm begins August 1

Fall in the outdoor studio is complete by mid-September when real pumpkins arrive (90s style red truck bed set, and mini clothesline

with fall fabrics in the back field, FLOWERS expected in full bloom Sept & Oct)

The clothesline with vintage linens will be set up for you through 9/23. After that, linens will be available at the little greenhouse

for you to set up.

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Christmas in the Glassholm begins October 16 (vintage toy theme and blue Christmas quilt wall + more)

Christmas in the outdoor studio begins Nov 2 (the planned focus will be on the front and side porch of the cottage this year)

Christmas in the cottage is available to book now Oct-Nov on select weekdays (more info below)

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Valentines will look a lot different this coming year.  The winter set will begin 1/2/2027. The last two years weather has been a difficult thing with reschedules and lots of snow. Our Glassholm set will be a timeless, cozy vibe with plush blankets and cozy chairs,  faux fireplaces and candlelight. It'll be beautiful and romantic. And WARM. If you want to bring your own Valentines props, the Ladaholm will be the best place for those bright red and pinks to pop. We will make an exception to our minis policy there and allow up to  4 sessions/hr.

 

***Fall & Christmas 2026 Bookings****
Christmas 2026 is able to be booked now. 

Christmas in the cottage will also be available on select weekdays - you may request a date. Book 2+ hours for minis or full sessions for $125/hr for two unique sets. Christmas baking set in our cottage kitchen and a Christmas tree bedroom set with vintage toys. Restroom access is available for these bookings. This is ideal for Santa sessions, Christmas pajama sessions and more. Promo day will be July 28 - $20 for 20 minutes inside the cottage to help you get familiar with the sets and share what you can offer this Christmas. Message Ashley to book a promo spot 7/28! Missed the promo day? Ask Ashley for promo images you can edit.

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

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*Be sure to read below for our FAQs + Policies below*​

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Call Ashley

865.214.6180

Email 

ashley@holmsteadstudio.com

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FAQs + Policies

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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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Special Events & Content Days hosted by The Holmstead Studio

We will be hosting private events. These will be ideal for girls nights or mommy-daughter experiences in our new event space. If you are interested in these ticketed events, please email Ashley at ashley@holmsteadstudio.com to be put on the email list once these launch. Our first ladies event will be Tuesday, Oct 13 in the evening with a fall themed-craft, cider slushies, photo opps and so much more! Designed for Ages 9+. More details to come. Tickets are required.

We encourage Content Days hosted by photographers throughout the year. We also host open studio events. Sometimes we provide models and sometimes you are able to bring your own. So stay tuned for what's next! Our stories on instagram and facebook are always the first places we share this.

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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). However, if you're booking a full day (even in the busy season) there is lots of wiggle room for set changes.


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) the morning of or a few 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 or Ladaholm 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 minis, 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 within 60 days or within 2 weeks if the original session was booked for Oct-Dec.

 

There are no refunds.

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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. We do not like to invoice after a session - please just stay in your reserved time. 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 and escorting your clients on property. This helps us keep the studio rentals private.

What do you do if a one of your little clients are struggling or you're struggling and you just can't get "that shot" - you still have to end your session unless you/your client wants to pay the overage fee and there isn't another photographer booked right after your session. 

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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. You should be off site completely after the buffer.


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 transitioning our barn to be an event venue and our cottage to be used for photography weekdays during the busy season and weekends during Jan-Sept.
 

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 or a Gathering. 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 and book the "Both/Minis" listing.
 

​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. It is recommended extended family sessions book a full hour or multiple mini time slots due to parking.

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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 or you allow your client to bring a pet in the Glassholm or cottage, 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. You can easily park by the Dogwood trees that line the street - just message Ashley for the specifics.

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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 images by kelseywoodsportraits, gulnazgravesphotography, thesarahjaynephotography, bandersonphotography, rebekahwilliamsphotography, kelseydphotography, leahbinghamphotography, Ash's Aesthetics

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