LOTTA STUDIO
Where vision meets Village
How can we collaborate?
At Lotta Studio, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We don’t just create for you—we create with you. Whether you arrive with a clear vision or just a spark of an idea, our team meets you where you are, ready to listen, build, and bring your story to life. From personal milestones to brand storytelling, from grassroots campaigns to experimental art, we believe every project is an opportunity for co-creation. Together, we shape visuals that reflect who you are, what you stand for, and the legacy you want to leave behind. You bring the passion—we’ll bring the lens.
Meet your lead
Mistina Hanscom
Creative Director | Photographer | Community Builder
I am a freelance creative, community organizer, and entrepreneur who has built a career at the intersection of artmaking and business. As the Co-Founder of Lotta Studio, a commercial and editorial photography boutique in New Haven, I specialize in producing high-end imagery while nurturing creative opportunities for others. With a strong technical foundation from Brooks Institute of Photography, I approach visual language with the same rigor and intentionality as the written word, crafting portraits and compositions that tell their own narratives while inviting viewers to bring their own memories and interpretations. I am obsessed with color, motion, light, and sometimes humor, and I strive to create staged realisms that capture the complexity and intimacy of life’s moments. Beyond the studio, I co-created West River Arts and The Range at Lotta Studio to support artists, activists, and cultural workers in Westville, and I mentor young photographers through internships and studio assistantships. As a mother of three young adults, I am deeply committed to fostering inclusive creative ecosystems that encourage artistic, mental, and financial growth—for myself, my collaborators, and the wider community.
Testimonials
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“Our family portrait with Lotta was nothing short of transformative—composed, styled, and edited into a tapestry that feels both personal and timeless. Each image holds so much intention and emotion.”
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“We collaborated with Lotta for our small business. Their images elevated our aesthetic in a way that felt authentic, local, and memorable—perfectly aligned with our Westville roots.”
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“Booking a lighting workshop at Lotta changed everything—connecting us with visual pros, growing our creative voice, and rooting our work in community. They helped us dream big and manifest it visually.”
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“As creatives, many of us work solo, so being able to come together and support one another in person is so important—spiritually and mentally.”
