Meet the woman who is re-FRAMING the Charlotte photography scene

The natural light, simplicity and ease of the space makes you feel lighter. The character of the aged concrete floors and clean white walls give you the feeling of a blank canvas. Like something magical is about to happen.

Spend a few minutes with Camille Hughes and you will see why her new photography studio and event venue The Frame personifies who she is as a person. She always creates a space that brings out your very best.

Her new venture is truly a breath of fresh air for Charlotte. I am not sure if we have ever seen anything like it…

As she explains, “I want it to take people to places. I want people to know amazing things can happen with light, ease and simplicity. People are only one moment away from seeing the gifts of their own creativity.”

This may be a reflection of Camille’s travels all over the world. She has been to over 23 countries and if you spend 30 seconds with her, it is likely you will be a friend for life.

Her deepest creative gifts start with the way she sees people. She makes you laugh, she believes in you, extends endless generosity and most importantly brings out the light in all around her. Her studio, The Frame, is built around natural light and this is no accident.

She might be most at home in the physical sense of light. But spend a few minutes with her in a photography shoot and you will also see how she brings out the light in people through her remarkable photos and creative gifts.

“Okayyyy…now look at each other and smile” she might say with a gentle touch that disarms people with their own joy. With a few quick jokes and an uncommon eye for people’s hearts, she captures some of the most elegant, graceful and human photos I have seen.

As renowned photographer Gordon Parks once said, “I feel it is the heart, not the eye, that should determine the content of the photograph. What the eye sees is its own. What the heart can perceive is a very different matter.”

It is Camille’s heart you can feel when you walk into The Frame. Yes, people will be able to take photos, have meaningful conversations and celebrate life events…but something much bigger is actually happening.

In this space people will see each other. It will open our eyes to each other’s gifts and shared humanity. This is why you will love how welcoming and inviting it feels in the studio.

“Heyyyyyyyy Winston…are you so excited??” Camille says with a voice that sounds like morning birds singing and is so full of joy and love. “I can’t wait to take your pictures today.”

A middle aged man walking towards her was a bit nervous having his photos taken for the first time but in just that moment Camille’s energy inspired him to see himself. His slumping shoulders became upright and head moved from a slight bow to held high in the sun.

This is just who she is. She is always cheering for you. One of her favorite things to say is, “I love that for you.”

So I hope we can show up big for her. As her friend, I have watched her will this space into existence with unparalleled perseverance, confidence, faith and joy. She is just so brave.

She has endured delays, doubts, setbacks but still she creates and cultivates what is The Frame. All the while navigating this journey as one of the first Black woman owned photography studios in Charlotte.

Camille is a trailblazer. She is forging a new path for all in our community and clearing barriers so our greatest potential comes alive. Her curiosity and welcoming nature of everyone she meets is felt immediately when you walk in.

This space is something she “manifested” and is a source of hope across both the business and creative community.

I believe she will be incredibly successful because people buy stories and not products. Like Gordon Parks explained, it is the person and their heart that makes it.

So when people show up and support what is happening here, we will be sending a message that we too believe in the art of making people feel seen.

Could there be a greater gift in life?

It would seem that we are only one moment away from finding out.

So Camille…thanks for reminding us all what we are capable of when we truly see and unlock what is deep inside our hearts.

Rest assured, we will all be cheering for you.