Some things are too special to leave behind.
There is something wonderfully exciting about beginning again.
A new city. A new space. New possibilities.
But when I began imagining Red Umbrella's next chapter in Las Vegas, I knew I wasn't starting from scratch.
I was bringing a little history with me.
Not just the furniture, artwork, and familiar treasures that have become part of Red Umbrella over the years, but the memories, the laughter, the unexpected moments, and the countless stories that unfolded around them.
And now, slowly but surely, they're finding their places in The Red Umbrella Loft.
Every New Beginning Starts Somewhere
When I first walked into the loft, I saw possibilities everywhere.
Open spaces. Beautiful light. Unexpected corners. A staircase that was practically begging for a little drama.
And, of course, plenty of blank walls.
It wasn't yet the intimate, expressive space I envisioned. But that is part of what I love about creating something — seeing what could be there before it exists.
One of the first things to find its place was a familiar black coffee table, accompanied by a wonderfully inviting sofa.
They might look like ordinary pieces of furniture.
But to me, they're anything but.
If This Coffee Table Could Talk...
Some of you may recognize these two pieces.
They were part of my Florida studio, and if you've explored my gallery, you may have seen them before.
In fact, they appeared in one of the very first boudoir sessions I photographed in that studio.
That coffee table has been so much more than somewhere to put a cup of coffee.
I've photographed people sitting on it, leaning against it, stretching across it, and finding wonderfully unexpected ways to interact with it.
The sofa has been just as versatile.
And that's one of the things I've always loved about boudoir photography.
A piece of furniture is never just a piece of furniture. A room is never limited to its intended purpose.
Sometimes the most captivating photograph begins with a spontaneous idea, a curious suggestion, or a moment neither of us could have planned.
I don't believe every experience needs to follow a predetermined collection of poses.
I would much rather discover what feels exciting, beautiful, playful, or intriguing to you — and allow the photographs to unfold from there.
So yes, the coffee table and sofa made the journey to Vegas.
They still have stories to tell.
A Space of Contrasts
As the loft began taking shape, I found myself drawn to contrasts.
Softness and drama.
Light and shadow.
Velvet and glass.
The quiet elegance of white curtains against the richness of deep, dark fabrics.
I wanted spaces that could feel romantic and inviting one moment, and beautifully dramatic the next.
A place where you could curl up in something soft and luxurious, or explore a mood that feels a little more daring.
Not every photograph needs to whisper.
And not every photograph needs to shout.
The beauty is in having room for both.
A Little Drama Around Every Corner
Of course, I couldn't resist giving the staircase a personality of its own.
One wall became a playful collection of red, black, and white artwork.
And then there's what I've affectionately named The Bubble Wall.
A collection of circles, mirrors, and glowing lights, seemingly floating against a deep charcoal background will welcome you the moment you step into the studio.
Why bubbles?
Because there's something wonderfully carefree about them. They're playful, unpredictable, and impossible to contain. They float, drift, catch the light, and invite you to follow them with your eyes.
I love that sense of movement and possibility.
And the mirrors?
Well, mirrors have always fascinated me.
They reflect what is in front of them, but never quite the same way twice. Change your position, your perspective, or the light, and suddenly you see something different.
I think there's a beautiful connection to intimate photography in that.
Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective to discover something about yourself you have not noticed before.
And then there's the light…
Soft, warm circles of illumination that bring the entire wall to life. Some glow gently, others reflect and scatter the light around them.
Because light has a way of revealing things, creating atmosphere, and transforming the ordinary into something unexpected.
Together, the bubbles, mirrors, and light create something that feels a little whimsical, a little magical, and entirely Red Umbrella.
I love how the wall changes as you move along the staircase. A reflection catches your eye. A little light appears where you didn't expect it. Something familiar suddenly looks different from another angle.
And that sense of discovery is exactly what I want people to feel when they visit.
Not that they've entered a carefully staged photography set, but that they've stepped into a place where curiosity is welcome.
A Softer Side of Red Umbrella
For all my love of dramatic colors and unexpected details, I also wanted somewhere that feels quiet, soft, and romantic.
A space with flowing white curtains, delicate light, and layers of beautiful textures.
And here, too, a little piece of Florida has found its new home.
The bed and mirror both made the journey with me. They've been part of Red Umbrella's story for years, and I love seeing them surrounded by new textures, colors, and possibilities.
There's something lovely about the simplicity of a beautiful bed, soft fabric, and natural light.
The familiar pieces make the space feel like home, while the new surroundings invite me to imagine all the photographs still waiting to be created.
Sometimes a beautiful bed, a mirror, and a little light are all we need..
And sometimes they're simply the beginning of something much more imaginative.
Then There Are the Little Surprises...
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a weakness for unusual details.
Something that catches the light.
Something that makes you look twice.
Something that makes you smile.
A chandelier with delicate, shimmering butterflies.
A little sparkle where you least expect it.
A touch of theatricality, because, after all, this is Las Vegas.
And meet Aurelia — The Gilded Muse.
A little creation of my own.
I have always been fascinated by the beauty of the human form. The curves, the textures, and the way light travels across a body, revealing something different with every movement.
I created Aurelia by covering a sculpted torso in gold leaf and suspending her within a circular frame.
But she has a little secret.
She's also a lamp.
I love the idea that a sculpture celebrating the human form can also bring light into a room.
The gold leaf catches and reflects that light, revealing its tiny cracks, overlapping edges, and beautiful imperfections.
Perhaps that's what I love most about her.
She's a celebration of the body, not as something that needs to be perfected, but as something worthy of being admired.
Which, when I think about it, is very much how I feel about my photography.
I don't want the loft to feel like just another photography studio.
I want it to feel like an experience before we've even picked up the camera.
The Next Chapter Is Yours, Too
Moving Red Umbrella from Florida to Las Vegas has been an adventure.
Here's a little secret.
The Red Umbrella Loft isn't finished and if I'm being perfectly honest, I don't think it ever will be.
Because I don't want it to be.
I imagine it as a living-breathing space. One that will continue to change, evolve, and surprise even me.
A new piece of artwork might appear. A familiar corner might take on an entirely different personality. A spontaneous idea during a session might inspire something I have not imagined before.
That is part of the magic for me.
I don't want to create a space that stands still, any more than I want to create photographs that all look the same.
I want the Loft to grow with the stories we create within it.
While so much is new, the heart of what I do has not changed.
I still believe the most beautiful photographs happen when you feel comfortable enough to be curious, free enough to explore, and confident enough to let a little of yourself unfold.
Whether you visit on your own or share the experience with someone special, there is no single way your story needs to look.
You bring your personality, your desires, your connection, your sense of adventure.
I'll bring the camera, a little creative mischief, and a loft filled with possibilities.
And together, we'll discover what happens.
To everyone who has been part of Red Umbrella's story so far: Thank You.
Some of you may recognize a familiar piece of furniture or two when you visit. Others will be discovering everything for the first time.
Even if you've visited before, you may find something entirely different waiting for you the next time.
Either way, I can't wait to welcome you.
The Red Umbrella Loft is finding its rhythm in Las Vegas.
I have a feeling its most interesting stories are still waiting to be told.
With love and a little curiosity,
Susan
Curious about creating your own Red Umbrella experience?
Whether you're planning a Las Vegas getaway, celebrating a special moment, or simply feeling ready for something wonderfully different, I'd love to hear from you.
Explore the experience or send me a little note.
P.S. Yes, a certain unforgettable red chair made the journey from Florida, too. But I think she deserves a story of her own.