🌑 The Origin of Timeless Shade Studios
Timeless Shade Studios wasn’t built overnight—it was born from stillness, survival, and a need to create something meaningful in the dark.
Back in 2020, Kaitlyn had just graduated and was navigating the rough waters of chronic health issues. Unable to work and going stir-crazy at home, she turned to a lifelong love: photography. With nothing but her phone and a restless drive to make something, she launched her first Facebook page on September 13th, 2020 under the name KJans Photography. It wasn’t the final form—but it was a beginning.
Fast-forward to 2023, and things started to shift. With a new phone in hand (the S23 Ultra) and fire in her chest, Kaitlyn landed her first engagement, grad, and wedding shoots. It was raw, chaotic, beautiful—and it was hers.
That same year, fate brought someone back into her orbit: Blake, a childhood friend with a shared passion for photography and a keen eye for technical detail. They started shooting side-by-side at car meets and local events around YLL. Blake handed Kaitlyn his Pentax K-70 to try out—and just like that, something clicked.
Together, they began to build something bigger than either of them could alone.
In February 2024, Kaitlyn and Blake officially joined forces. By October, a name had finally surfaced—one that carried the weight, the grit, and the vision of everything they had become.
And that’s how Timeless Shade Studios was born.
What started as survival became a calling.
What started with shadows turned into light.
🕯️ Timeless Shade Studios – Where Shadows Tell Stories
🖤 The Vibe:
• A little vintage, a little haunted
• Smoke, spark, and softness in equal measure
• Powered by sunlight, moonlight, and your weirdest ideas
• Proudly based in YLL [Lloydminster], but always down to wander
• Find us where the light fades and the magic lingers
We’re not just photographers—we’re memory hunters, light chasers, and vibe catchers. Born from a love of gritty textures, vintage tones, and raw emotion, Timeless Shade Studios exists for the dreamers who want something different. We specialize in the in-between: the stolen glances, the windswept hair, the grainy frames that feel like found footage from another life. Whether we’re shooting weddings in overgrown fields, portraits under neon, or film photos that feel like forgotten dreams—we’re here to turn your moments into timeless stories wrapped in shadow.
📸 MEET THE FACES BEHIND THE LENSES
Kaitlyn Jans
🧍♀️ Founder, Lead Photographer & Chaos Coordinator
Self-taught since the age of 5, when my grandma handed me her old camera and unknowingly lit a fire that still hasn’t burned out. I started with landscapes and old trucks, but everything shifted when I captured my first engagement shoot—raw emotion is where I thrive. I’m the founder and full-time photographer of Timeless Shade Studios, and these days you’ll usually find me behind our Pentax K-70, chasing golden hour in forgotten fields or low-light alleyways with a head full of creative chaos. Outdoor sessions and storytelling are my zone—I want your shoot to feel like a scene pulled from a film you forgot you loved.
🖤 Fun Facts About Kait:
• Can name most classic trucks by their grille alone
• Will climb fences, crouch in puddles, or lie in a ditch if it means getting the shot
• Favorite editing mood: grainy, cinematic, and a little ghosty
• Obsessed with dogs, vintage signs, and smoky sunset skies
• Will absolutely cry if your playlist hits during your shoot
Blake Blackbeard
🧍♂️ Co-Owner, B Shooter/Film Photographer & Technical Manager
Blake started out photographing cars but eventually found his groove experimenting with light, shadow, and the quirks of film. Now co-owner of Timeless Shade Studios and my partner in both life and business, he brings a grounded, technical eye to everything we do. He’s our film photography specialist, most at home with the Pentax Program Plus (his favorite), or the ME Super when he’s feeling nostalgic, and my B shooter with the Sony A6000. He’s also the one who manages our tech, lighting setups, and backups—basically the wizard making sure our chaos runs smooth. If you hear a shutter click from a strange angle, he’s probably climbing something for the perfect shot.
🖤 Fun Facts About Blake:
• Has an uncanny ability to shoot handheld at 1/10 sec with zero blur
• Favorite smell? Fresh rolls of film and engine oil
• Usually has a flashlight, a backup battery, and at least one snack in his camera bag
• Known to disappear mid-shoot, only to reappear with a killer wide-angle shot
• Favorite light? Twilight. Favorite sound? Shutter + silence
Learning & Growing
✨ Got a Wild Idea? Let’s Make It Happen.
At Timeless Shade Studios, we’re always evolving—experimenting with new styles, exploring fresh locations, and diving headfirst into the unexpected.
If you’ve got a vision that’s a little out there, a little unconventional, or totally unique… we want in. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to bring your weird, wonderful, one-of-a-kind ideas to life.
“We don’t just think outside the box—we shoot in the shadows behind it.”
We’ve worked with some of the most amazing local people! Take a look at these memories!
