The Walk-in Portrait Studio was initially set up in a formerly foreclosed house in North Detroit, by Corine Vermeulen (photography) and Femke Lutgerink (story collecting). Stemming from a desire to introduce ourselves and get to know the residents of a particular neighborhood, we solicited people to come in to the studio via flyers and posters, and a fair amount of courting on the streets. Over the course of five days, around 85 people had their portraits taken in exchange for a story of the neighborhood. People could pick up their portraits, free of charge, a week after they were photographed.

Since its initial set up in April 2009, the Portrait Studio has been introduced to various locations around town, e.g. in several different schools. Upcoming plans include traveling to many more neighborhoods to meet and photograph local residents.

For more information on the school portraits, see: 'Teen Moms in Detroit: Fighting to Save the School that Saved Them', and 'Detroit School Kids' Dreams of the Future'.