Kelly King spent more than 12 years collecting furniture, props, and hand-painted backdrops for a photography studio she wasn't sure she'd ever build. In May 2026, she opened the doors at 611 E. Main St.

Nine 24 Studios is League City's first membership-based photography studio, offering local photographers access to professional lighting, tripods, shooting umbrellas, and professionally designed sets without buying their own gear. The studio sits in the Historic District next to Helen's Garden, which the city describes as "a well-known hot spot for photographers." Members can reach the garden through a private walk-through gate.

Memberships start at $250 per month across three tiers: Starter, Growth, and Pro. Each gives photographers bookable studio time and use of the space's 18-foot-wide magnetic wall, where backdrops and sets can be swapped between sessions. The studio also includes natural light, a dedicated newborn photography space, and a hair and makeup station, according to the city's Biz Brief listing.

King's path to the studio started with a 2002 car accident that broke her neck in three places and left her with a spinal cord injury. She spent four and a half months in inpatient care and another two and a half years in rehabilitation, relearning how to walk and write her name. When her physical limitations kept her from returning to property management, she turned to photography.

King told Community Impact the business represents a second chance at life and an opportunity to reinvent herself.

Some of the backdrops she collected over those 12-plus years are hand-painted canvases valued at more than $1,200 each.

Nine 24 Studios will also host workshops covering technical photography skills and the business side of the craft. King said the classes target newer photographers who might otherwise spend years piecing together lessons online. She said nothing else like it exists in the area.

The studio plans to welcome its first members in August with a back-to-school themed grand opening celebration. A specific date has not been announced.