Studio Hire Prices

Rob.Marsh

Rob.Marsh

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Firstly, if this fits better in the lighting section, I apologise, wasn't quite sure where fell best!

Right,

So I have been reading and researching loads into people/portrait photography, about techniques styles etc etc.

I have been building up a collection of off cam flashes and setups, but i also really want to have a go in a studio. I need to progress my learning in anger, reading up only gets you so far! I also really want to build up my portfolio of shots, as right now I have next to nothing to show! I'm not looking to go pro, just improve and have fun doing so!!

So I looked locally for studios that were for hire, preferebly with lights. I could only find one that offered itself for hire, and I have been quoted £35p/h. This includes the use of two elincrom lights, one of which could have an octabox if wanted. They have an infinite curve, high and low key areas and changing facilities etc etc.

Is this good value for money, or not? They offered to lend me some infra red triggers and "walk me through how to use my camera and settings".

Basically, is this a good deal or not? Or should I be looking at other ways of getting studio experience?
 
Those who have found the £25 p/h to be average, what setups have you been able to hire? I have to admit I expected at least 3 lights rather than 2.

I appreciate models would be extra should you use pro's, but a present I am hoping to get models on a TFP/CD basis, that or use friends.
 
We hire out our studio for £30ph for the first hour then £25ph after that. However, for that you get the following......

Bowen's High-Glide rail system allowing full movement of the lights including over-head lighting.

A total of 5 x 500w & 1 x 750w Bowen Esprit heads.

Soft boxes, snoots, honey comb grids, barn doors, reflectors etc.

A 6.5mt x 3.5mt plain while backdrop, with while floor.

A 2nd shooting area with a selection of colour paper back drops (3.65metres/12ft wide) to create an infinity curve are standard. A large black velvet backdrop is also available for maximum light absorption.

Large 24" variable speed wind machine

Fog machine

Help is on hand in lighting techniques should you require it at no extra cost.
 
Kemble3 said:
We hire out our studio for £30ph for the first hour then £25ph after that. However, for that you get the following......

Bowen's High-Glide rail system allowing full movement of the lights including over-head lighting.

A total of 5 x 500w & 1 x 750w Bowen Esprit heads.

Soft boxes, snoots, honey comb grids, barn doors, reflectors etc.

A 6.5mt x 3.5mt plain while backdrop, with while floor.

A 2nd shooting area with a selection of colour paper back drops (3.65metres/12ft wide) to create an infinity curve are standard. A large black velvet backdrop is also available for maximum light absorption.

Large 24" variable speed wind machine

Fog machine

Help is on hand in lighting techniques should you require it at no extra cost.
Click to expand...

Wow, compared to what I have been quoted, that is a great deeal! Fancy coming and opening a studio in Sussex?!
 
For £25ph you should find a fully equipped studio, with at least three lights but probably more, plus a load of different light modifiers.

I think the South East is a bit lean on decent studios unfortunately. How far are you prepared to travel?
 
I'd probably be happy to travel up to an hour in the car, or a sensible legth train journey. I don't want to travel time to be more than studio time basically.

I have found a studio in maidstone for hire, that looks like good value for money.
 
If you're in/around London, it's worth checking out The Camera Club in Kennington. You'll have an annual subscription of £99 but after that, the studios are only £10 or £12 per hour depending on which one you want (smaller or larger). Fully equipped with backdrops, lights & modifiers, reflecters, changing facilities etc, and the larger one has a bathroom as well.

There are also other benefits of joining the club, such as workshops (which incur a small charge) and exhibitions, as well as the ability to mingle with other members and exchange tips and experience. The people are great and very knowledgable and it's a fantastic place to cut your teeth in a studio setting.

The only real downside of the studios is that they're on the 2nd and 3rd floors so bringing in big props is all but impossible.

If you can see yourself going at least several times a year, the subscription will pay for itself quickly via the savings you make on studio hire fees. Worth a look if you can get there easily.

http://www.thecameraclub.co.uk/

George.
 
Dave Stone said:
Have a look at the link. A choice of two studios. I usually use No 2 as there is more room.

Link
Click to expand...

useful link cheers mate, I think that its a bit far for me to use but gives me a good idea of whats available out there. I am fast coming to the conclusion that the studio local is on the expensive side.
 
Thanks George,

London is do-able but not the most convienient. I also at this stage don't really want to be entering into annual subs.
 
Interesting posts about the costs - thought i'd jump in just to see if anyone knew of studios to rent in Norfolk, or particularly in and around Norwich??
 
I also have the Proline 300 kit and paper & cloth backdrops. Doesn't take too much room to set up. If you have a bit of room it maybe worth considering. Also means you can lug it around to other peoples houses for shoots. It can be picked up for about £350.

Link
 
Hi All,

I dont want my first post to sond like an advert, thats not why I joined. I am a full time professional photographer but I do also hire out my studio. As its not my main business, I dont charge the earth. I would rather the studio was being used than empty. I am based in Mortlake SW London (SW14). I charge £15ph during the wek and £20 ph at the weekend. As someone else listed what their studio offers, I will do the same below. At fear of being kicked off the site, if you have any questions, PM me rather than me putting my web or email address here:

• Based near Richmond and Putney
• 336 (12 X 24 ft) square foot studio with natural light and blackout capabilities
• 3 Bowens 500ws heads
• 2 Elinchrom 200ws heads
• Coloured gel set for the lights
• Sekonic light meter
• Selection of soft boxes / dishes / snoots / etc
• Lastolite 7 piece Posing Tubs in black and white
• Selection of throws
• Toys and props
• Range of 2.7m colourama backgrounds – call for current colours
• 2.7 Super white vinyl background for high key shoots
• Traditional Mottled background
• Black collapsible cloth background
• Lastolite Tri-Reflector
• Mobile boom lighting rig
• Free standing background support for your own backdrops / curtains etc
• Lastolite triggers for either studio lights or speedlights
• Outside shooting space (metal staircase, brick walls)
• Changing area
• Kitchen area
• Free Tea and Coffee facilities
• Hair, make up and model list
• 3 speed chrome floor fan
• Music
• Wi-fi access
• Delivery area and Parking nearby (public car park 100m from the studio at £1ph)

Sean
 
Hi Sean,

Welcome to the forum.

Can`t seem to PM you, maybe you have to be around a while first.

Just wondering if you get much call for studio hire. You obviously have everything required and at a good price. Do you actively promote it to try and get business?

Thanks

Steve
 
IMO what matters when you hire a studio is the size and facilities.

Small studios are simply a waste of time, you will need to spend a LOT of time in them before you can get consistent results easily, and although the size of the studio doesn't affect the quality of the results (once you've learned how to work in a small studio) it does affect the range of work you can do. My own studio is 50' x 34' with a max shooting distance of 66'.

You can buy a good quality basic lighting kit with a couple of umbrellas or softboxes for £250. IMO if you're going to hire, you need a studio with a good range of pro equipment - a lot of heads, various sizes/shapes of softboxes, fresnel spots, focussing spots, beauty dishes, a good range of honeycombs etc - a hire studio is a good place to learn and experiment, you can't do that without the right lighting tools.

And finally, you need a studio where you'll get real help from someone who knows what they're doing.
 
There is a studio above Great Western Cameras in Swindon which can be hired out, I've never used so can't say what its like.
 
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