A Little History

The story behind Live Free Print & Frame

I opened my first shop in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 2012. Rivers Photo in Dover just closed, I was attending UNH and doing some random photography gigs on the side. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined all the places this little business would take me, the people I would meet, or the amount of equipment I would eventually accumulate!

From Exeter, I moved to Sheafe Street in downtown Portsmouth, where I spent the next eight years or so building relationships with artists, photographers, designers, and customers who trusted me with everything from family photographs to original artwork.

Eventually, I moved to Bartlett Street in the West End of Portsmouth, where I was finally able to bring both my fine art printing and custom framing services together under one roof. Having everything in one place opened up new possibilities and allowed me to take on projects from beginning to end.

But I always knew Bartlett Street wouldn’t be my final destination.

The shop was on the second floor, which presented some interesting challenges. As my business grew, so did the size and weight of the equipment I needed. And while getting a large printer or piece of machinery through a second-story window might make for an entertaining story, it wasn’t exactly a sustainable business plan.

I dreamed of finding a ground-floor space with plenty of parking, room to grow, and easy access for customers dropping off or picking up large artwork.

In 2024, I finally found it in North Hampton.

Today, Live Free Print & Frame has a home where I can continue to invest in to help me do what I love: making beautiful things and helping people bring their ideas to life.

A Small Business, a Growing Family

Somewhere along the way, while growing my business, I also became a wife and mother.

Running a small business and raising young children has meant learning how to balance two very important parts of my life. It hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve had to rethink what a traditional workday looks like.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve embraced working primarily by appointment.

It’s not mandatory to have an appointment, walk-ins are great. I really just don’t want to miss you. I feel pretty bad having someone excited to come over only to find out that no one is there.

Appointments allow me to give my customers the individual attention their projects deserve while maintaining the flexibility I need for my family. Whether we’re selecting the perfect frame, discussing paper choices, or figuring out how to bring a creative idea to life, I want to have the time to focus on the details without feeling rushed.

It also means I can be present for my children while continuing to run a business I’ve worked hard to build.

I know appointments aren’t always as convenient as walking into a shop whenever you please, but I’ve found that this arrangement creates a much more personal experience for everyone.

And if you happen to be passing by the shop and see the flag waving, you’re always welcome to stop in and say hello!

Still Learning, Still Growing

More than 15 years later, I still genuinely love what I do.

What began as a small shop on a front porch has evolved into a workspace filled with large-format printers, framing equipment, specialty materials, and all sorts of tools that allow me to produce work in-house.

I’ve always believed that investing in the right equipment and taking the time to understand the process makes a difference in the finished product. I enjoy figuring things out, learning new techniques, and finding creative solutions to unusual projects.

Some days I’m helping an artist prepare work for an exhibition. Other days I’m framing a treasured family photograph, printing custom wallpaper for a designer, or working on something I’ve never made before.

That variety is part of what keeps this work interesting.

At the end of the day, Live Free Print & Frame is still a small, independently owned business. When you bring something into my shop, you’re working directly with the person who will help design, print, frame, or produce it.

I take that responsibility seriously, and I appreciate every person who has trusted me with a project over the years.

Thank you for being part of the story.

— Emily Brackett

Live Free Print & Frame | North Hampton, New Hampshire

Have something in mind? I’d love to hear about it. Please reach out to schedule a time to visit the shop.