We recently connected with Gabriela Koopmans and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I never planned to start a company. I was simply looking for something special, something unique for my photography clients. Something that felt real, UNIQUE, and lasting. That’s how I created Photoblocks. At first, it was just for me. A way to give my clients something they could hold in their hands, not just see on a screen.
The warmth of the wood, the real paper texture beneath their fingertips, it made every image feel like a memory frozen in time.
Then, something I never expected happened. People started asking. Could they have the same for their clients? Could I make more?
I said yes.
I still remember the first big order. The excitement. The realization that this wasn’t just about me anymore, it was something people truly wanted. Something they connected with.
And so, little by little, it grew. One request, one order, one story at a time.
Fourteen years later, here we are. From a small idea meant just for my own clients to a full-fledged business serving photographers worldwide. The heart of it? Still the same. A love for authenticity. A passion for craftsmanship. A belief that images deserve more than pixels—they deserve to be felt, cherished and passed down.
We’ve expanded, refined, and evolved. But at the core, nothing has changed. Just like the wood itself, our purpose has remained strong: to give photographs a second life, a home outside the screen.
And that’s what keeps us going.

Gabriela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

About Our Work & Passion PhotoBlocks Art, Turning Memories into Timeless Keepsakes
PhotoBlocks Art is all about transforming cherished moments into tangible, lasting keepsakes. We create handcrafted photo blocks, beautiful prints on wood, that photographers can offer their clients as a premium, one-of-a-kind product. These aren’t just prints; they’re heirloom-quality pieces that blend photography with artisan craftsmanship.

We got into this business because we saw a gap in the market, photographers wanted to provide their clients with something more than just digital files or standard prints. We wanted to create a product that feels special, something with depth, texture, and warmth that digital screens simply can’t replicate. Our photo blocks give families a way to display their most meaningful moments in a unique and organic way, whether it’s a newborn’s first photos, a wedding day, or a milestone portrait.

One of the things we’re most proud of is maintaining the highest quality standards, even though our process is 100% handmade. Every single piece is crafted with care, using sustainably sourced wood and top-tier printing techniques. Handcrafted work takes time and dedication, but we refuse to cut corners, because we believe in delivering something truly special that photographers and their clients will treasure for years.

Photo Props, Elevating Newborn Photography
Our journey in the photography world started with a deep love for creating beautiful, natural newborn photography props. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a well-loved brand, trusted by professional photographers worldwide.

We design and offer exclusive, handcrafted props that help photographers create stunning images with ease. From our classic bamboo bed—one of our very first designs, still adored after 10 years, to cozy baskets, wraps, and backdrops, every piece is thoughtfully made to complement a photographer’s artistic vision.

We are also proud to have been the first to create velvet non-slip posing beans, revolutionizing newborn photography. Before our design, photographers used blankets, socks, and other makeshift solutions to keep babies comfortably posed. Our innovation changed the industry, making sessions smoother and more efficient while providing better comfort and support for newborns.

Beyond posing beans, we have a long history of leading the way in popular prop designs. The wooden heart prop, bamboo props, scarf camera straps, and many more, we were among the first to bring these beloved pieces to the market. Our designs are often imitated, but the quality, originality, and craftsmanship of our work set us apart.

What We’re Most Proud Of
Building this business has been an incredible journey, and we’re proud of so many things, the relationships we’ve built with photographers, the joy our products bring to families, and the fact that we’ve stayed true to our values of quality and creativity. We know what it’s like to build a business from the ground up, and we love supporting photographers in doing the same.

At the heart of everything we do is a passion for storytelling, whether through handcrafted photo blocks that preserve cherished moments or through beautiful props that help photographers create timeless images. We’re honored to be part of so many special memories, and we can’t wait to continue growing alongside our amazing community.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Our Manufacturing Journey, Learning, Growing, and Staying True to Our Values When we first started, we didn’t know how to manufacture anything, we had to figure it all out from scratch. There was no guidebook, no step-by-step instructions, just our vision and a lot of determination. It was a journey of trial and error, research, and learning as we went.

For many of our handcrafted props, we partnered with an incredible company in India that shares our values. Every piece is handmade and produced under fair trade conditions, ensuring that the artisans behind our products are treated ethically and paid fairly for their craftsmanship. This was extremely important to us, we wanted to create beautiful, high-quality props while also supporting skilled artisans and their communities.

Our fabric products are made much closer to home, by a dedicated sewing team in our town. This allows us to ensure quality, maintain a hands-on approach, and support local talent. Every stitch is crafted with care, and we love that we get to collaborate with skilled professionals right in our community.

When it comes to our photo blocks, we work with a company that prepares the blocks for us, and what makes this partnership truly special is that they employ people with disabilities. We are incredibly proud to support their work and be part of something that not only creates beautiful products but also empowers individuals by providing meaningful employment.

Lessons We’ve Learned Along the Way
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that manufacturing isn’t just about making a product, it’s about finding the right people who align with your values. We’ve always been committed to quality, ethical production, and supporting skilled artisans, and those principles have guided us in choosing the right partners.

We also learned that manufacturing is a continuous learning process. From sourcing the best materials to refining our production methods, we’ve grown so much over the years. What started as an idea has turned into something much bigger, and we’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built along the way.

At the end of the day, what matters most to us is that our products are made with care, integrity, and heart, whether it’s a handcrafted prop, a beautifully sewn fabric piece, or a photo block that will hold a cherished memory for a lifetime.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The Lesson of Flexibility, Navigating the Ups and Downs of Business & Life One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in business is the importance of flexibility. Some days, everything feels incredible, sales are booming, ideas are flowing, and it seems like nothing can go wrong. Then, suddenly, there are days with zero sales, and I start questioning every decision I’ve made. It’s a rollercoaster, and I’ve realized that success isn’t about avoiding those ups and downs, it’s about adapting to them.

You have to be open to changing your plans as you go, whether that means shifting strategies, introducing new products, or simply adjusting your mindset. The journey is deeply emotional, and life doesn’t pause just because you run a business. Through it all, I’ve made a commitment to my clients: no matter what I’m going through, I will never let them feel like I’ve let them down.

I’m incredibly grateful for my support system, my husband and my assistant, who step in on the days when I feel like I can’t do this anymore. It’s true what they say: it takes a village. A village of good, reliable people who lift you up and help make it all happen.

Three years ago, I faced the hardest moment of my life, I lost my brother in a tragic way. The grief was overwhelming, and yet, the business still needed to run. I was open with my clients about what had happened, and even in that incredibly difficult time, we worked hard to ensure that every order was fulfilled as promised. We are a small company, but we are dedicated, and we care deeply about what we do.

That experience reinforced something I already knew, business isn’t just about numbers or products; it’s about people. It’s about relationships, resilience, and finding the strength to keep moving forward, no matter what life throws your way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theoriginalphotoblocks.com/ & https://theoriginalphotoblocksprops.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalphotoblocksnl & https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalphotoblocksprops
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoriginalphotoblocks

Image Credits
Jemma Slater, Norma Fayak, Sandra Hill, Gabriela Koopmans