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TRYON—Monica Stevenson Photography Studio is set to officially open its doors to the public with a grand opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the TDDA on Friday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m. Located at 112 N. Trade Street, the studio will also serve as the home of the Tryon Arts & Crafts School Photography Digital Media Department, where Stevenson will be the primary instructor.

Monica Stevenson is not just any photographer; she brings over 25 years of international experience to her work, with a background spanning countries such as Australia, Puerto Rico, Europe, and more. As a commercial photographer, Stevenson specializes in high-end product photography and elegant visual solutions tailored for businesses and brands. Her expertise has led her to collaborate with prestigious clients including Coca-Cola, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Vogue.

At the new studio, Stevenson aims to go beyond simple photography projects by crafting compelling visuals that tell a story. 

“We help brands elevate their visuals across marketing campaigns, websites, and social media,” she noted. “Transparency and communication are at the heart of everything we do, as we closely collaborate with clients to meet and exceed their expectations.”

A unique feature of the studio is an operational kitchen, which allows restaurant clients to prepare dishes on-site for food photography, making it easier to create engaging social media content.

“Having a kitchen in the new studio enables me to help restaurants with their photography for social media,” Stevenson explained. “They can use the kitchen to make a dish, and then we can photograph their content together.”

In tandem with the grand opening, the Tryon Arts & Crafts School is introducing a new educational department dedicated to photography and digital media in cooperation with Stevenson’s Studio. The program will offer exhibitions, tuition-based courses, and community outreach learning experiences, engaging a broad audience from the local community to international talents.

Additionally, TACS will partner with Stevenson’s studio to conduct classes, enhancing the educational offerings available to students interested in photography and digital media. The organization has also invested in top-of-the-line equipment to support the curriculum, thanks to generous donations.

“I love the idea of teaching photography because I’m so ridiculously passionate about it. I want to spread that joy,” she said. 

The community is invited to join the festivities on April 25 to celebrate the opening of the studio and learn more about the exciting educational opportunities the Tryon Arts & Crafts School will provide.

For more information, visit tryonartsandcrafts.org or monicastevenson.com.