Today we’d like to introduce you to Anita Clay.
Anita, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Varsa Studios came from a season of loss, love, and taking a really scary leap.
My dad passed away in 2023. After he died, his life insurance gave our family the ability to do something we never could have otherwise. For a long time, we didn’t know what that something was, we just knew we wanted it to matter. We wanted it to honor him, not just financially, but in spirit.
I started my photography journey in 2018. After a few years of shooting, I began working more and more in studios, and I completely fell in love with them. The creativity, the control, the way light, posing, and sets could transform an idea, it felt endless. Studios felt like places where ideas could grow.
While my dad was still alive, I had actually pitched the idea of starting a chain of studios to both him and my mom. It was something I was excited about and believed in, but at the time, nothing ever came of it. Life was busy, the timing wasn’t right, and it stayed just an idea.
Over time, that idea evolved from “I love being in these spaces” to “what if we built spaces like this for other people?”
In November of 2024, my mom and I bought our first studio, Blank Space Studios. It already had history and a creative community, and instead of starting from scratch, we stepped into something that already mattered to people and did our best to care for it well. About six months later, we added our second location, The Alcove, and that’s when Varsa Studios really started to feel real.
The name Varsa means “legacy” in Marathi, a language spoken in India where my dad was born and raised. The name felt like the only one that made sense. This business exists because of him, and everything we’re building is tied to the idea of creating something that lasts and creates opportunity for others.
What matters most to me is that these studios aren’t just for photographers. They’re for anyone who wants to create. Influencers, content creators, artists, small business owners, and especially moms who want cute, seasonal photos of their kids without spending hundreds of dollars. I love watching someone walk in with just a phone and a tripod and leave feeling proud of what they made.
Varsa is still growing, but the heart behind it is simple. I want to build spaces where creativity feels possible, where people feel welcome, and where ideas get a chance to exist. Long term, I hope to grow Varsa into studios all across Utah, but I never want it to lose the feeling of being personal, intentional, and rooted in something deeper than just business.
That’s what Varsa is to me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road.
When we first acquired the Blank Space location, we were told the studio was making a solid profit and the numbers looked really promising. We went into it hopeful and excited, but the reality of 2025 was very different. It was a really hard year financially. There were many months where we didn’t even break even, and by the end of the year our total profit was under $5,000. It’s truly been a labor of love.
We’ve put in countless hours, late nights, and weekends, and honestly, we haven’t taken anything home. Every dollar has gone right back into the business, into maintaining the spaces, improving the studios, and trying to build something sustainable. There were moments where it felt discouraging to work so hard and still feel like we were barely treading water.
On top of that, life didn’t slow down. In June of 2025, I started my master’s degree in marketing while continuing to work full-time as a teacher to support my family and still trying to grow my photography business alongside the studios. It was about six months of nonstop grinding, and there were definitely times where it felt overwhelming and exhausting.
That said, I don’t regret it. I graduated in December of 2025, and I’m finally starting to apply what I learned directly to Varsa Studios. For the first time, I feel like I truly understand how to position, market, and grow the business intentionally instead of just surviving month to month. It’s still hard, but now it feels hopeful. We’re learning, adapting, and slowly building momentum, and I believe we’re on the edge of a real turnaround.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Varsa Studios is a rental space for photographers, creators, moms, and really anyone who needs a space to create. People use our studios for all kinds of projects, professional photo sessions, content creation, brand launches, pop-ups, DIY family photos, and everything in between. We love supporting our community and helping people grow, no matter what stage they’re in.
One thing we’re really known for is how client-focused we are. We listen closely to feedback and actually apply it. If someone suggests something that would make the studio better, more functional, or more accessible, we take it seriously and work hard to make those improvements happen. We’re always tweaking layouts, refreshing sets, adjusting policies, and finding ways to make the experience easier and more enjoyable.
We’re also proud of how flexible we try to be. We started offering discounted last-minute bookings for people who want to get up and create on a whim, and it’s been a great way to fill empty gaps while also making studio time more accessible. We offer memberships and punch passes that can be used across all of our studios, which means people aren’t locked into just one space or one location.
What really sets us apart is that we’re building a studio chain, not just a single studio. Right now we have four studio rooms across two locations, and that gives our clients variety and consistency under one brand. Our goal is to become the go-to studio for photographers and creators in Utah. We’re currently based in Utah County, but expansion is definitely part of the long-term vision.
What I’m most proud of is the community that’s formed around our studios. Seeing people gain confidence, try new things, and create work they’re genuinely proud of is the best part of this. We’re not just renting out space, we’re creating a place where people feel supported, welcomed, and excited to create.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about our city is the creative energy. There are so many artistic, talented people here, and it really feels like creativity is valued. People love making things, sharing ideas, and supporting each other’s work, and that kind of atmosphere brings so much life and inspiration to the community.
What I like least is definitely the traffic, especially on I-80. 😅
Pricing:
- Alcove Studio (Springville Ut) $60/hr
- Blank Space Studio A (American Fork Ut) $80/hr
- Blank Space Studio B (American Fork Ut) $80/hr
- Blank Space Studio C (American Fork Ut) $60/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.varsastudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/varsastudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/varsastudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@varsastudios
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@varsastudios
