Today we’d like to introduce you to Makala Towner.
Hi Makala , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Towner Studios began in 2017 as something very personal for Makala. After stepping into motherhood, she was looking for a way to get out of the house, reconnect with herself, and rediscover a part of her identity outside of being “mom.” Photography started as a small creative outlet—something that was just for her—but it quickly became so much more.
As she began working with women in front of the camera, Makala realized the incredible impact boudoir photography could have. She watched women walk into the studio nervous, unsure, and often overly critical of themselves, and leave seeing their strength, beauty, and confidence in a completely new way. Helping women experience that transformation quickly became her passion.
Along the way, her love for entrepreneurship grew as well. Makala realized she didn’t just want to run a business—she wanted to build something bigger. Her vision expanded into creating a studio that could serve more women while also building an all-women team that could grow, succeed, and break through the glass ceilings that so many women face in their careers.
Today, Towner Studios is a thriving, women-owned and operated studio with a team of seven that serves hundreds of women each year. Boudoir photography remains the heart of what they do, creating deeply empowering and confidence-building experiences for their clients. Over time, the studio has also expanded into branding photography, working with female entrepreneurs and professionals who want imagery that truly reflects who they are and what they’re building. These sessions help women show up confidently in their businesses, elevate their brands, and visually tell the story behind their work.
For the team at Towner Studios, the mission has always been bigger than photography. It’s about helping women see themselves differently, step into their confidence, and take up space in their lives and businesses. And if the journey so far has proven anything, it’s that this team believes the sky is only the beginning.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Between COVID, a constantly evolving industry, finding the right people to build our team, and an ever-fluctuating economy, we’ve had to continuously reevaluate the way we run our business.
By regularly reviewing the market, our numbers, our policies, and—most importantly—our clients’ wants and needs, we’re able to pivot and make the changes necessary to keep moving forward. This allows us to not only keep our doors open, but to continue building a business that thrives.
We truly love what we do, and as a team we’re driven by a shared goal: creating an experience that is meaningful, empowering, and rewarding for every client who walks through our doors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Towner Studios, we specialize in boudoir and branding photography, with a strong focus on creating an experience that goes far beyond just taking photos. Our goal has always been to create a space where women feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. For many of our clients, walking into the studio can feel a little intimidating at first—but by the time they leave, they’re standing taller, laughing more, and seeing themselves in a completely new light. That transformation is what makes this work so special to us.
Boudoir photography is the heart of what we do. We work with women of all ages, backgrounds, and body types to help them reconnect with their confidence and celebrate themselves exactly as they are. Many of our clients come to us during important life transitions—milestones like turning 40, celebrating personal growth, reclaiming confidence after big changes, or simply doing something just for themselves. Being part of those moments is incredibly meaningful to our team.
Over time, we’ve also expanded into branding photography, where we work with entrepreneurs and professionals who want imagery that truly represents their personality and the story behind their business. Branding sessions allow women to show up confidently and authentically in their industries, whether they’re building a personal brand, launching a business, or stepping into leadership roles.
What really sets Towner Studios apart is the experience we’ve built around our sessions. From professional hair and makeup to guided posing, wardrobe options, and a fully supportive team, every detail is designed to help our clients feel comfortable and confident. Many women come in telling us they’re “awkward in photos,” and by the end of their session they’re having fun and realizing just how powerful they really are.
What we’re most proud of, though, is the community that has grown around the studio. Over the years we’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of incredible women, many of whom return again and again or bring their friends along to experience it too. Watching women support each other, celebrate themselves, and walk away with a new sense of confidence is the most rewarding part of everything we do.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I think we’ll continue to see a really exciting shift in the photography industry toward authenticity and meaningful experiences. As our world becomes more digital, people are craving things that feel real, personal, and genuinely human.
In the boudoir space, more women are realizing these sessions are about so much more than photos. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, celebrating your story, and seeing yourself in a new, confident light. There’s something incredibly powerful about looking at an image and knowing that’s really you. That confidence boost and sense of pride simply can’t be replicated by something that’s artificially created. When women see their real boudoir images for the first time, it’s often an emotional and empowering moment—and that experience is irreplaceable.
At the same time, the digital world has made strong visual branding more important than ever. As more businesses operate online, professional imagery plays a huge role in building trust, credibility, and connection with potential clients. Branding photography allows entrepreneurs to show up authentically and tell the story behind their business, helping people feel confident about who they’re choosing to work with.
AI is certainly becoming more advanced, and some tools can create images that look convincing at first glance. But more often than not, something still feels a little “off,” and people can usually sense when something isn’t real. When branding images feel fabricated, it can actually have the opposite effect and create a sense of distrust. Authentic imagery helps people connect on a human level, which is ultimately what builds strong brands and lasting client relationships.
Overall, I see the industry continuing to move toward storytelling, connection, and experiences that leave a lasting impact—and that’s something we’re incredibly excited to keep being part of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://towner-studios.com/home-1908
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towner_studios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/townerstudiosjoplin
