Everything you need to consider when hiring your first studio space
You don’t need us to tell you that times are tough right now, so it may be the perfect time to think about gaining some extra income by renting a photography studio space and taking on regular clients, either as a side hustle or a full-time gig. From professional portrait shoots to high-end product photography and everything in between, a professional studio space can be a valuable resource.
Of course, converting a spare room or garage at home into a dedicated studio is also worth considering, however, conversions are likely to cost several thousand pounds and, in the present climate of belt-tightening, that may not be feasible. But that shouldn’t put you off from renting a studio space – this can be cost-effective, especially if you find a place that includes lights and accessories, such as backgrounds and lighting modifiers, as well as covers the heating and energy bills. Some studios will allow you to book their rooms for only the time you need, for example, a few hours or a whole day, while others will be looking for a tenant for months at a time or the whole year.
You may even be able to find a regular office space with room for you to prop up backgrounds and lights, making it more versatile. You may also want an office area, with a desk, a computer and a monitor to tether your camera to. This may be handy for instantly reviewing your images on a large screen and showing them to your clients.
If your space has windows, this can be handy as you will then be able to choose between using natural window lighting as well as a flash. However, you may want to fit them with blackout curtains to avoid unsightly mixed lighting when working with a flash. Here’s everything you need to know when hiring your first studio space.
The perfect size
It’s important to look at studio spaces that are large enough for the subjects you want to photograph. If you plan on shooting jewellery, you’ll need a much smaller space than if you’re going to be shooting motorcycles, for example. You’ll also need to consider access, as if you do plan to shoot larger items, like vehicles, you’ll need to work out how you’re going to get them into the studio. If you’re not on the ground level, is there a lift to carry heavy items up to your floor?
Also, you don’t want to overpay for a space that’s too big for the items you’re shooting as this will land you with an unnecessarily large bill each month, especially if energy bills aren’t included and you have to heat a bigger area. It’s particularly important to have a heated studio when working with models who might be wearing swimwear or lingerie, for example.
Value for money
If you already have an assortment of fla
