Cia Nelson Studio

Hi, I’m Cia—photographer, artist, creative collaborator, and founder of Cia Nelson Studio. With over 15 years of experience behind the lens, I specialize in architecture, interior, and lifestyle photography that captures spaces and people in a way that feels real, meaningful, and personal. Whether I'm photographing a thoughtfully curated home, capturing someone in their natural environment, or creating original artwork, my goal is always the same: to create imagery that feels real, beautiful, personal, and full of life. I got my start during an 11-year collaboration with a custom home architect in Palo Alto, where I developed a deep appreciation for architecture, design, and photography. That foundation, along with my experience as Lead Photo Editor for Luxe Airbnb, shaped my eye for detail and helped me hone a natural, editorial style that brings out the beauty in both spaces and people. Clients come to me when they want more than a pretty picture—they want to be seen. Whether we're shooting your latest project, your brand story, or your personal portrait, you can count on me to bring calm energy, clear direction, and an artist’s eye to every client experience. Beyond the lens, art has always been a grounding force in my life. From collecting rocks and sketching nature as a child to being inspired by Disney animation and fashion illustration, my creativity originated with art. Today, I channel that early passion into a growing body of artwork—exploring watercolor and digital illustration as mediums for expression and storytelling. Let’s create something beautiful and meaningful together.