Photography Studio Rental – What to Expect
When renting a photography studio, it’s important to know what to expect. Some studios even rent out equipment to help make your shoot easier.
Working at a studio can also teach you new skills and tricks. You may pick up lighting techniques, helpful business advice, or even some savvy marketing tips from talking to the studio owner or staff.
Space
Unlike shooting at a client’s home (which can work for some types of shoots), a professional studio space is designed for photography. Studio spaces often include bathrooms, a kitchen, and other amenities that make it easy for you to focus on your project.
Moreover, the studio can provide you with the space you need for your production, which is critical for success. For example, if you’re shooting fashion models or working with children, it may be important to have ample floor space.
Milk Studios NYC, for example, has immaculate studios with best-in-class technology and comforts that provide a complete studio experience. This includes everything from conference rooms to iMacs for on-the-fly editing, lounge spaces, and more. They even offer end-to-end production support. This is a rarity among studio rental providers.
Lighting
For the most part, photographers securing a studio space are not expecting to pay for additional lighting or other equipment on set. However, not every photo studio is created equal and it’s important to find one that clearly states the terms of what is included in the rental price.
For example, NYC’s Spring Studios goes far beyond the typical photography studio rental by providing clients with top-of-the-line equipment for rent (tirelessly maintained by their expert production team) and full post-production capabilities including colorists, retouchers, and VFX artists. This allows them to be an end-to-end creative agency for their clients. That means the entire creative process is streamlined and simplified for everyone involved. This is a key differentiator that can help shoots get done more efficiently and on budget.
Equipment
Some studios also offer a range of additional equipment for rent. They may provide everything from a wide selection of backdrops to hair and makeup stations. In some cases, they even offer extra lighting and other studio tools.
This is a great way for photographers to practice new techniques without having to invest in their own equipment. They can use the studio’s equipment and learn how to use different lighting and camera angling to get better results.
One example of a studio that offers this is Spring Studios. They are an integrated creative agency with end-to-end production and can help you tackle nearly any aspect of a commercial shoot. They can even help you develop the idea for your shoot and give you a crash course on how to use their equipment.
Convenience
Studio rentals give photographers & videographers the ability to stay focused for the entire shoot. When shooting outside or in public, distractions like weather and sudden noises can cause a loss of focus which will affect the quality of your work.
Also, renting a photo studio means that you have less gear to lug around with you to the location. Typically, most rental studios will have equipment such as C-stands, photo strobes, smoke machines and more that you can use for a small fee.
Most of these rentals are available by the hour, half-day or full day to suit your schedule. However, it is a good idea to check the rates and charges closely to make sure there are no hidden fees as these can add up very quickly.
Privacy
Unlike shooting at home or on location, studios are a quiet, controlled environment. This can help keep distractions to a minimum, which is especially important when shooting for your brand. You don’t want to have random people walking through your shots or a crazy wind blowing your hair all over your face!
While price is probably a big factor when choosing a photography studio, it’s also important to consider whether or not the space offers additional accessories and props. This could save you the cost of renting extra items on your own or spending more than you planned on purchasing.
Renter must report any damages or maintenance needs to management immediately. This includes but is not limited to holes in walls, marks on furniture, tape or glue stains and broken equipment.
