inside the chelsea studio with maple baxter
In the Studio with Maple Baxter
Meet Maple Baxter: One of the newest Chelsea Studio Members. A Regina based photographer who cares deeply about creating images that feel like you—honest, relaxed, and something you’ll return to for years to come.
Maple is trained as an elementary teacher but when COVID changed our world, she quickly began to explore her creative passion alongside her teaching career. When she’s not behind the lens, Maple is soaking up life with her 14-month-old son, embracing the beautiful chaos of family life (scrubbing purée off my floors...), getting her hands dirty in the garden, organizing just about anything she can find, or searching for the perfect used camper for future family adventures.
Q: What was the vision behind this shoot?
Maple: “Sara reached out to me because she wanted a studio session that reflected the journey she's been on over the last year. She has been intentionally focusing on her health, her well-being, and reconnecting with herself, and she wanted images that felt fresh, fun, and representative of her passions and priorities.
This shoot was especially meaningful to me because I'm also a mom, and I know how easy it is to lose sight of yourself while caring for everyone else. There's something really powerful about choosing to celebrate yourself and document who you are in a season of growth.
What makes this session even more memorable is that I photographed much of it with my son either crawling around at my feet or strapped to my back in a carrier. You don't truly understand what a velcro baby is until you have one! It felt fitting, though... two moms showing up as ourselves and creating something beautiful in the middle of real life.”
Q: If you could photograph any person-living or historical-who it be and why?
Maple: “Honestly, some of my favorite people to photograph are my mom and dad. It's surprisingly rare because when you're with family, it's easy to put off things like portrait sessions and simply enjoy being together.
If I could choose anyone, though, it would be my grandparents. I would love the opportunity to create a thoughtful portrait session with them and hear their stories along the way. Photography has a way of helping you see people differently, and I think spending that time together would give me a deeper understanding of who they were, what they loved, and the lives they built before I ever knew them.”
Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned that you’d share with new photographers?
Maple: “Shoot for fun!
It's easy to get distracted by what other photographers are charging, the incredible destinations they're traveling to, or the seemingly perfect clients they're working with. But spending time trying to figure out how everyone else got where they are won't make you a better photographer.
Instead, shoot. Experiment. Share your work. Keep creating. The more you photograph, the more you'll develop your style, find your people, and build a community that connects with what you do.
A quote I've been thinking about a lot lately is: "You don't know their sacrifice."
Everyone has made sacrifices to get where they are. Right now, I'm not willing to sacrifice a lot of my family life for my career, and I'm at peace with that. I've worked hard to build what I have, but this season is about enjoying it. I'm grateful for the work that comes my way while still having time for the people and things that matter most!”
Q: What three words would you use to describe your photography style?
Maple: “Filmy, editorial, and bright.
I started shooting film back in 2008, and that first love still influences my work today. I adore grain, texture, and bright, punchy contrast, and I often approach editing with those qualities in mind.
Over the years, my style has evolved to become more editorial while still feeling natural and authentic. I want my images to feel polished without feeling overly produced. This shoot reflected that balance perfectly capturing Sara in a way that felt elevated and intentional while still looking and feeling like her.”
Q: What made the Chelsea studio membership the right fit for you?
Maple: “The Chelsea studio is a great fit for me because in Saskatchewan we can never predict the weather and having an indoor space to offer to clients is so valuable. As well, branding clients love the large open space with backdrop options and natural light. I also love working in there as it’s always clean and has everything I need. Of course, being right across the street from EDK isn’t too bad either.”
📍 Shot in The Chelsea Studio
👥 Featuring: @sarebellamy
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