Their American Dream

Lauren had always wanted to own her own photography studio where she could share her space with like-minded creatives, ideally bringing the amenities of a full kitchen to the table for others to see out their own journey, alongside a beautiful venue to host events and help build the sense of “togetherness” in her Greater Portland community.

Krystina, a self-taught baker, built her bake shop from the ground up — someone who couldn’t even bake brownies from a box had somehow fallen head over heels for baking sugar cookies, cakes, and more, and dove head first into the world of teaching, guiding cookie decorating parties and created the Cookie Ice Night: The Paint Night You Can Eat. Now, dozens of events later, hundreds of people served all over the world, she found herself in need of a permanent home to build out the made-to-order bakery, handle production, and give her events.

The two met in 2015, hired each other time and time again over the years, became each others’ biggest cheerleaders and confidants, and one day realized how perfect it would be if both of their businesses could operate from one space. After all, they both needed a kitchen, a photography studio, and an event space to bring Lauren’s dream to life of Lauren Lear Food Photography and truly grow The Messy Cookie.

And The Photo Kitchen was born.