Meet Ruth Gilmour from Gilmour Studios

People Behind the Space: Gilmour Studios

For photographer and founder Ruth Gilmour, Gilmour Studios is more than just a place to work; it’s the realisation of a long-held vision. After years of shooting on location, juggling unpredictable lighting and ever-changing environments, Ruth set out to create a calm, light-filled studio that would make the creative process effortless and inspiring.

Nestled on London Street in the heart of Hamilton, Gilmour Studios blends simplicity, versatility, and warmth. Designed to feel like a beautifully considered home, it offers photographers, creatives, and local businesses a space that evolves with them, from family portraits to brand campaigns, workshops, and community events.

What inspired you to open Gilmour Studios and turn your photography into a space of its own?

At the start of each year, I do a life audit, and part of that is identifying the things in my business that are working for me and the things that aren’t.

At the end of 2024, one of the things that was not working was not having a space for my work. Juggling locations and client shoots was becoming a logistical nightmare. Every shoot began from scratch, often navigating bad light and having to make unpredictable spaces work. Finding a new spot for each shoot was exhausting and took away from my love of the work.

For years, I’d avoided the commitment of a space, putting it in the too-hard basket, but I finally felt ready to have a space that supports the kind of work I do and can add value to the service I can give my clients.

The other reason I needed a space is that I am moving from a personal brand into a team model. Having a physical space that my photographers and editor could work out of was an important element of being able to grow the business.

How does the new London Street studio capture your personal style and approach to photography?

The new studio really reflects how I like to work, simple, versatile, and detail-focused. It’s a calm, elevated space that gives clients a full experience from beginning to end. Everything’s taken care of, so there’s no stress about locations, lighting, or setup. 

I can provide the space, the light, the props, everything needed to make a shoot flow smoothly. It’s comfortable and relaxed, which helps people settle in and enjoy the process. That’s always when the best images happen.

I love that it’s also adaptable. There’s room to experiment and make each shoot feel unique. I’ve collected a variety of props and textures over time, so every session can have its own look and energy.

In many ways, the studio is an extension of my approach to photography, thoughtful, intentional, and focused on creating an experience that feels effortless but beautifully considered. 

You’ve been telling people’s stories through your lens for over 15 years. How has that journey shaped the way you see your work today?

The main thing that draws me into photography is the connection with people. I’ve been invited into so many different communities and contexts and have had such a variety of experiences through having this tool in my hand. This has made me more open, curious, and accepting.

Fifteen years in, I think I’ve slowed down a little. I try to notice more, listen better, and I trust that when in doubt, it will all work out (it always does).

I’m also more aware of the responsibility that comes with what I do. Photographs can hold memories, identity, legacy, all these layers that go far beyond a single image. It’s made me approach my work with more care, but also more ease.

When you were designing and styling the studio, what were the key things you wanted it to feel like?

Much of my work requires home or office environments, so I wanted to set the studio up just like a well-designed home space. The studio spans 150 square metres, so we designed seven modular shooting zones, each with its own look within the space. I wanted to make it so you could shoot one zone, with the other still looking cohesive in the background. This was tricky, but I think we’ve nailed it! The furniture within these spaces can also be moved around, so one space can have multiple looks as well.

It also had to be simple and versatile. I didn’t want it to feel overly styled or full of tacky props, but considered and full of quiet details that could be adjusted to reflect the intention of the shoot or content being made in there. Somewhere that could shift to suit a family shoot one day and a brand campaign the next.

Light was a big focus, how it moves throughout the space, and how it changes throughout the day. I wanted the studio to have that natural softness that makes people and objects look their best without much effort.

I wanted it to feel calm, intentional, and welcoming. Like a space people could see themselves in, rather than something that only reflected me. A space where people could walk in, take a breath, and feel instantly at ease.

Can you share what the launch night felt like and what that celebration meant to you?

The launch party felt quite surreal. My business community, made up of family, friends, advocates, clients, collaborators, and mentors, all brought the best energy. After months of planning, building, and hoping it would all come together, standing in the finished space surrounded by people who’ve supported me was really special.

It was also the first time I’ve ever properly celebrated a milestone in my business, which at first felt a little self-indulgent, but was incredible. The night itself felt warm and relaxed, which is exactly what I’d hoped for. Seeing friends, clients, and other creatives connecting in the space made it all feel real, like the studio had already started doing what it was meant to do.

Someone recently said to me, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That’s exactly how this season feels. The studio launch was a moment to pause, take it all in, and be grateful for the incredible village that’s helped bring it to life.

How do you hope photographers, creators, and the wider community will connect with and use the space?

What’s been the most rewarding part, and maybe the biggest challenge, of bringing Gilmour Studios to life?

Transforming the space from what it was to what it is now, a space that is completely unrecognisable. When we first took over the lease, it wasn't pretty. It was dark, dirty, and fire-damaged, and there was an old toilet in the corner. But it had good bones and good light. I had a really clear vision of what I wanted to create, but I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off or whether I had the skillset to execute it. There was a lot of holy crap, what if this doesn’t work out moments, and a lot of fear that I’d bitten off more than I could chew, but I really had to lean in and trust the process!

The most rewarding thing has been not doing it on my own. To furnish the space, I collaborated with a staging business called Furniture Creations. I’d admired their work when I photographed them, so I reached out with a proposal to stage the studio. They said yes, so I gave them my inspo, and they spent weeks sourcing furnishings and thoughtfully designing every detail to bring this vision to life.

The team actually finished the space while my family and I were away on holiday, and one of the best moments of this entire process was the moment I walked in and saw what they had done with the space. I walked in and cried; it was such a pinch-me moment!

Collaboration seems to sit at the heart of what you’re building here - what would your dream collaboration look like?

My dream collaboration would bring together a mix of women-led businesses and creatives who share similar values, people who genuinely want to connect, support each other, and lift each other up.

I’d love to use the studio as a space where that can happen naturally. Maybe through creative events, pop-up days, or collaborative shoots that promote different brands and ideas. I’ve also considered creating a space in the studio to showcase a different business each month.

What kind of shoots or creative projects do you think really come alive in this space?

The studio really lends itself to content creation, brand shoots, podcasting, and anything that tells a story. Because the space is so flexible, people can shape it to be their own.

And finally, what’s your favourite spot or detail in the studio — the one that feels the most you?

I love grabbing a coffee from the café downstairs and sitting at my desk, where I can see the whole room at once. The studio’s in an L-shape, so you can’t do that from everywhere, but from that spot, I can take in the light, the textures, and the flow of the space. It’s very satisfying, and even now, I still have those little “look what we did” moments; it’s pretty surreal.

I also really appreciate having a proper desk setup. For the past ten years, I’ve mostly worked from home, but now that my kids are older and life’s a bit busier, that setup doesn’t quite work anymore. Having a quiet, distraction-free space to focus feels like such a luxury; I don’t take it for granted.

A Space to Create, Connect, and Grow

What started as a personal solution has grown into a creative community. Through Gilmour Studios, Ruth has built more than a beautiful backdrop for photography; she’s created an environment where ideas flourish and people feel at home.

From transforming a fire-damaged shell into a light-filled haven to bringing together women-led businesses and collaborators who lift each other up, Ruth’s story is one of passion, courage, and creativity. Gilmour Studios now stands as a reflection of her belief that the best spaces don’t just support the work, they inspire it.