The Gadsden Studio
Arielle Langhorne’s passions collide
By Liz Biggs / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
The Gadsden Studio is not just the newest, coolest Pilates place in town — it’s also a beautiful newborn baby photography studio. Who can pull off that feat? The amazing, multi-talented Arielle Langhorne, that’s who.
Born and raised in France, Langhorne grew up in Aix-en-Provence and completed the final five years of her education at an all-girls boarding school, the Légion d’Honneur, a historic institution founded by Napoleon Bonaparte. There, she learned discipline, structure and a strong work ethic — lessons that stayed with her through medical school in Paris and throughout her life.
“As I was finishing medical school, I completed a summer rotation in Pensacola, where I met my husband, Henry. It truly was love at first sight — he proposed after our first kiss. I returned to France to finish my studies, and we married the following summer. I moved to Pensacola that fall. I chose not to pursue a medical career in the U.S. as I wanted to be deeply involved in raising our children. Around the same time, I discovered photography, enrolled in photography courses at PSC and built a career that allowed me to control my schedule while pursuing a creative passion,” Langhorne explained when asked how she landed in Pensacola and became a professional photographer.
Langhorne first tried Pilates nine years ago after an ACL repair, but at the time, she wasn’t impressed — she wrongly assumed it would be too easy and not a real workout. Four years ago, she gave it another try and was hooked.
“I loved the gentle yet powerful way it works the body and realized how much strength I could gain, especially in my core. Pilates transformed my mind-body connection, improved my posture and range of motion and even enhanced my weightlifting practice by helping me avoid injuries. Beyond the physical benefits, I’ve also loved the sense of community it has brought into my life,” said Langhorne.
Practicing Pilates became a passion, and she wanted to deepen her understanding — which led her to rigorous instructor training and, eventually, the idea of opening her own studio.
“After living in the same home in Pensacola for 26 years, my husband and I downsized once our three children moved out. In our old home, I had a dedicated space for my newborn photography studio — I’ve been a professional photographer for 20 years and specialized in newborns for the past nine. Our new home didn’t have the space for photography, so I decided to build a separate space,” said Langhorne. “The studio space ended up being more generous than I needed for photography alone and around the same time, I became more involved in Pilates. It made perfect sense to split the space between my two passions: one half for newborn photography and the other half for a small, boutique Pilates studio.”
Langhorne built her studio in East Hill, close to her home, for convenience and because she loves the neighborhood. She specifically chose a commercial property and with the help of her architect, Howard Meacham, and builder, Eudora Teixeira of Elevations by Eudora, her vision came to life.
“As a photographer, I’m very sensitive to light, so I wanted a north-facing building with plenty of natural light that avoids harsh direct sunlight. The goal was to create a space that feels calming, inviting and intentional. Howard was a master at keeping the design simple, elegant and practical, and together we crafted a studio that feels both welcoming and serene.”
The Pilates studio is still in its early stages, and Langhorne is grateful to have an amazing team of instructors. There are 10 instructors now, though that number will shift as many are military spouses who relocate frequently. Thanks to this strong team, Langhorne is able to keep a lighter teaching schedule and step in to sub when needed.
“Running the studio has been a learning curve, but I find it fascinating, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see people already loving the space and making Pilates part of their regular routine,” said Langhorne.
Langhorne completed the Balanced Body Comprehensive training here in Pensacola at Pure Pilates with Susan Clark and her team. The comprehensive program covers Movement Principles, mat, reformer and all major apparatus — Cadillac or Trapeze, chair and barrels. Over the course of about one and a half years, she completed roughly 500 hours of personal practice, observation and teaching, as well as an anatomy requirement, and passed written and practical exams to master the full Pilates system. She is now in the process of obtaining her national Pilates certification through NPCP — a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey, giving her the confidence and knowledge to open her own studio.
“Pilates is unique because it helps correct the imbalances that naturally develop in our bodies. Whether from sports that overdevelop certain muscles while leaving others underworked or from daily habits and posture, our bodies gradually shift over time — and as we age, we often lose range of motion. Pilates works to restore balance, connect the mind and body and bring awareness to the muscles we use every day, as well as in other physical activities like tennis, golf, running or football. It also builds the deepest, most functional core strength I’ve ever experienced,” said Langhorne. “A wonderful and often unexpected benefit of joining a small Pilates studio is the sense of community that develops. You’re surrounded by people who, like you, enjoy feeling good and moving well. Most people leave class feeling better in their bodies — we like to say “taller,” because Pilates places a strong focus on spinal mobility — but also lighter mentally, with a real sense of joy when they walk out the door.”
