Meet Monika Normand | Creative Director & Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monika Normand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monika, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think the biggest drivers behind the success I’ve seen in my businesses would be my willingness to try new things and be consistent in those efforts plus the overall goal of wanting to make people feel good. Whether it’s through photographing clients directly, or providing a studio space that other creatives can feel good about working in – I strive to make the experience of working with me to be fun, positive, safe, and uplifting.
When it came to creating Brightside Studios, I wanted to curate a space that would enable creatives to work efficiently and capture their best work. I also try to share and promote the work of photographers who have rented Brightside Studios to help get more eyes on their businesses too. I’m a strong believer in helping each other win.
With Monika Normand Creative, I take the time to get to know my clients and their brands well prior to our photoshoot – I want to ensure they are captured authentically and all their needs and concerns are addressed before the shoot. This is all part of creating that fun, safe, and uplifting experience for my clients. People will remember how you made them feel – so always being kind and aiming to make people feel good is a great philosophy to take when it comes to running your business.
One of the biggest lessons I learned in opening these two businesses is the importance of consistency. Things take time. It’s important not to give up – consistent efforts over time leads to success. Whether that’s social media posts, outreach to potential clients, or building up your portfolio regularly – be consistent in what you do. It may feel like you’re treading water or not making any progress at times, but I promise consistency pays off in time.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Brightside Studios is a rentable natural light photography studio in Dallas, TX. We opened in September of 2023 with the idea of creating a photo studio that would provide a variety of settings so that creatives had the ability to capture lots of variety during their booking with us. We offer 1500 square feet of blank canvas and lifestyle vignettes, all flooded with beautiful natural light from east and west facing windows. As a branding photographer in Dallas, I have been utilizing rentable photography studios and other lifestyle spaces for years for my clients. When curating a space of my own, I wanted to provide kitchen, living room, and conference room vignettes in addition to the traditional blank canvas studio space because these are often challenging to find for clients.
Although I did a lot of research prior to opening the studio space and already own a well-established business, it was intimidating to open another one and not know the trajectory of success. I think the biggest thing I learned/the current hurdle I am overcoming with the studio is needing more time to invest in it. The more time I put into hosting events, inviting other creatives to come check out the space, creating more content to reach more renters on social – the more successful the studio is. However, I quickly learned that I am my own bottleneck in the studio business because my time is divided. I am working getting more help with the space currently and leveraging my creative network to help grow the studio’s reach.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t get out toooo much but these are my favorite recommendations to share with out of town visitors!

Dining Options:
Brunch at Beverly’s – definitely sit on the garden patio, it’s absolutely gorgeous
Happy Hour at Clifton Club – delicious drinks and super pretty bar with a great atmosphere
Dinner at Brass Ram – order the prime rib, it’s phenomenal
Special Occasion Dinner at Crown Block in Reunion Tower – killer view and a fancy dinner date option!
Fachini for Italian in Highland Park Village

To-Do:
Dallas Arboretum – always beautiful for a stroll any time of the year
Dallas Farmer’s Market – love shopping for ingredients for dinner, grabbing a bite to eat, or gift shopping!
Bishop Arts – lots of fun restaurants, pie shops, bars, gift shops, and more. Super fun to check out on a nice afternoon
American Airlines Center – catch a Maverick’s or Stars game
Shopping and dining in Highland Park Village

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been so fortunate to have a great support network in my career, and there are many people I can credit with keeping me sane throughout the years. I would like to dedicate this Shoutout to my Production Assistant and Studio Manager, Amani Sodiq. Not only is she an incredibly talented photographer herself, but she has been wonderful to work alongside and has made my work life a million times better!

Website: https://brightsidestudiosdallas.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightsidestudios_dallas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightsidestudiosdallas

Other: https://monikanormandphoto.com/

Image Credits
Monika Normand Creative LLC