Photo Studios for Hire in Melbourne

Photo Studios Hire Guide

Melbourne’s vibrant art scene is reflected by the wide variety of photo studios available for hire in the city. So here’s the question: are you ready to create some photographic magic in one of the city’s unique (and well-equipped) spaces. Well, we’re here to help you find the perfect place that’ll suit all of your needs and requirements. Whether you‘re planning a newborn photo shoot, a fashion editorial, a product shoot or headshots, you’ll be delighted with the studios that Melbourne has to offer. 

But before you decide to book a place, there are a few key things you should keep in mind - in case something skips your mind, we’ve written them down for you!  

What equipment should a photo studio have?

Backdrop. The right backdrop plays a huge part in your photo shoot's success as it will help your object pop. Backdrops come in different shapes and sizes and can be made of various materials, such as paper, vinyl or muslin. A black velvet fabric could be a good backdrop since it not only creates a dark tone but also absorbs light. Some of the photo studios in Melbourne also have cycloramas - they can create an illusion of sky or open space, among other things. A cyclorama gives you also plenty of artistic freedom as it’s usually full angle. If you’re looking for a space where you’ll be able to create even more magic with a unique background, there are also places offering a green screen cyclorama. 

Props. Props can make a difference in all types of photographs. And luckily for you, there are studios in Melbourne that offer various props. Small lights, CDs, fairy lights or glass balls can add some unique effects to your work. There are different signs available for all kinds of occasions, such as anniversary photos or baby pictures celebrating a certain age. For flatlays, some studios have tiny decorations, such as flowers, confetti and glitter. Surprisingly, studios also often have ladders. They come in handy especially when your model is taller than you or you need to shoot something from above. 

Lighting. It comes as no surprise that good lightning can make an okay photo into a great one. There are many techniques that can be used. Some photographers use traditional standing umbrellas or circular reflectors with a bigger surface. These can either soften or modify the warmth of the light. Softboxes are another tool you may find useful, especially in portrait photography. The subtle light they provide helps smooth out any imperfections. Remember one thing: the bigger the softbox, the smoother the light. The size may be especially relevant when you’re shooting wide angles, but for product photography, a small one will be enough as you’ll be focusing on a small space.

Tripods. Tripods can come in handy for a number of photo shoots, especially those that’ll last forever. They’ll help you keep your camera steady during the shoot. You don’t have to look for something fancy - an aluminium tripod should work for all purposes. Even though a tripod is meant to keep your camera steady, it is really easy to manoeuvre at all angles. We may be getting ahead of ourselves, but many photographers will say that a tripod is a lifesaver during photo shoots and, in fact, they can’t imagine themselves working without one.

When you are a photographer, there are many things you need to know how to do. When starting out in this profession many enthusiasts start by pursuing a bunch of different avenues until they figure out their favourite type of photography. Being familiar with all photoshoot types can help you with not only discovering your passion but also giving you a foundation of technical knowledge which you can use at any future photoshoot. Each photoshoot type requires a different setup, equipment and lighting, which can be a slightly overwhelming concept when you are just starting out with photography. This is why we decided to create a quick and simple guide about the different types of photoshoots to make it easier for anyone who doesn’t have it all figured out yet.

A guide to photo shoot types:

• Headshots. Headshots are a type of a portrait, just in a very simple form. They are usually taken when someone needs a photo for their resume, social media or other professional occupations. When shooting a headshot, you should make sure that your model looks sophisticated yet approachable by carefully choosing their clothes, poses, lighting and background. 

• Portraits. Portraits offer more freedom than headshots as their main purpose is to showcase the personality of the subject through a photo. As a photographer, you should pay attention to the specific characteristics of your model so that you can encourage natural poses and choose the correct lighting. You can use the subject’s hair, facial structure, eye colour and basically anything you want as the focal point of the portrait.

• Lifestyle. Lifestyle photography is another way of taking portraits with a slightly shifted focus. Instead of highlighting the visual characteristics of your model, it is more about presenting what they are doing. Whether they are playing an instrument, dancing or playing a sport, in lifestyle photography you should integrate that aspect into the photo session and create portraits with a twist.

• Fashion. Fashion photography has a huge market nowadays following the rise of social media and e-commerce. It is all about capturing the clothes, shoes or accessories worn by the model in the most flattering way. It is important to make the objects, clothes or accessories, etc. look as high quality, stylish and wearable as possible. Many fashion photo shoots utilise a basic background in these shoots so that they do not distract from the clothes. However, some brands are also interested in unique and eye-catching images so that’s when you can push some boundaries.

• Maternity. Maternity photo shoots are very popular among soon-to-be mothers, especially in recent years. As carrying a baby is not something that happens that often to one person, many women like to capture this beautiful and empowering moment with a professional photo shoot. This usually means that the photographer’s focal point is the pregnancy belly which should be captured in a creative and elegant way.

• Newborn baby. This is another photo shoot type that captures a once-in-a-lifetime moment. As children grow and change extremely quickly, many parents decide to give them a photo shoot as soon as they can. Usually, the focus is placed on how small the newborn is, and they are often posed in adorable outfits next to normal-sized items that seem large next to them. There might also be a theme to a photo shoot, such as one of the seasons, a holiday or even a movie.

• Family. A family photo shoot is a great way to create memories while also having a repertoire of photos to send out to relatives. These photo sessions can be simple and classic or have a fun theme, such as Ugly Christmas Sweaters. During the holiday season, many families take the opportunity to have a professional photo shoot to create festive postcards to wish their friends and family ‘Happy Holidays!’

• Product. Product photography is another photo shoot style that has gained immense popularity due to the internet, social media and e-commerce. The focus of the photo session is the product that will be sold or showcased, so you are not even required to work with a model. The background and set-up are two of the most important things in product photography and you should take special care in paying attention to the smallest details.

• Food. A good food photo on a restaurant website can really make a big difference, as many people are now ordering meals online through delivery services. The job of a food photographer is to make sure that the meal looks delicious and irresistible, this is why food photo shoots often include fake products and insider tricks on how to make the arrangements look as tasty as possible.

• Corporate. This type of photo shoot needs to be extremely professional looking, as the end result is often used to promote an image of a person or a company. Whether the shoot is formal or informal, it is still very important to remember that the pictures will be a way for new hires or potential clients to get to know the business from the outside.

We’ve already gone through the equipment you may need in a hired photo studio, as well as the types of art you can create there. But that’s not everything that you should be concerned about before hiring a professional space. If you’re lost and have no idea what else could be on your list of things to keep in mind, we’ve jotted down a few suggestions!

Things to keep in mind when hiring a photo studio:

Your budget. Setting a budget should be the first step in the photo shoot planning process. It will allow you to establish what kind of space you’re looking for: whether it’s somewhere basic without any extra equipment or you have enough money to splurge on a fancy, fully-equipped studio. It doesn’t matter how big of a budget you have, with Tagvenue’s help you’ll find a photo studio perfect for your needs. Use our smart filters to set your price range and once that’s done, get to browsing Melbourne’s great photo studios.

The size of the studio. The fact, whether you’re shooting a bunch of people, one person or just an object, will determine the size of the space you need. For big photo shoots, such as promotional ones or editorials with many models, you’ll need a lot of square metres. It’s important for other people’s comfort but also for you to be able to shoot from different angles. 

Equipment available on-site. Some photo studios offer a wide variety of equipment to hire. Most frequently these are extra lights, camera gear such as lenses or tripods, as well as cameras themselves. Ask the owner of the photo studio you’re thinking of hiring before making the final booking if they offer the equipment you may need for your project. Apart from that, make sure to find out whether you’ll get charged extra for using the gear or if it is already included in the hire fee.  

Extra facilities. Shooting space is important, yet you should not forget about a place where everyone will get ready for the action. A kitchen, a dedicated changing room, hair and make-up areas - they all should be taken into consideration before you hire somewhere. Also make sure that there is a large mirror with good lighting in the studio - it’s essential for any make-up or hair artist. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional photographer or taking your first steps in the industry, hiring a photo studio will help you elevate your craft and take fantastic shots. You already know what you should keep in mind when looking for the right space, so don’t wait any longer and hire one of Melbourne’s photo studios straight away.

FAQs about Photo Studios in Melbourne

How much does it cost to hire a photo studio in Melbourne?

When hiring a photo studio in Melbourne, it is good to start by determining your budget. Some studios in the city are on the high end when it comes to pricing due to their brand, equipment or size. Nevertheless, there are also many studios that are more on the affordable side, which is perfect for anyone on a smaller budget. In general, hire fees for a photo studio will range from $400 to $1000 per day, while packages for a studio will start at $25 to $55 per person. (Based on data from Tagvenue.)

What are the most popular locations for hiring a photo studio in Melbourne?

There are plenty of places in Melbourne where you can focus your search. Try the artsy and edgy Fitzroy for some excellent options. Also, check South Brunswick for excellent studio hires with easy access to the suburbs. If you are looking for something more central, you should definitely check out the Docklands, North Melbourne or even Southbank.

What is included in the price of a photo studio?

When hiring a photo studio, discuss any extras that might be included in the room, or that are available for hire for an extra fee. This can be especially important if you are just starting out in photography and haven’t had a chance to collect an impressive collection of equipment yet. Many studios offer stands, basic light equipment, modifiers and backgrounds on-site, but if you want to be sure that you have what you need, you should discuss your needs directly with the venue manager. The clearer your list of demands is, the quicker you will be able to find the right photo studio for you.

How can I hire a photo studio in Melbourne?

When planning to hire a photo studio, search for a venue platform such as Tagvenue and carefully check all the offers that are relevant to your needs. This can make the process of finding the right photo studio much shorter and definitely less painful. Once you have made a shortlist, compare the offers, contact the venue and finalise your booking. You will be in direct contact with the venue manager, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions you might have.

Which are the most popular photo studios in Melbourne?

Here are some of our top picks for studios in Melbourne:

• Bohemia Bay Studio, an affordable and unique space that loves to celebrate ethical brands.
• Main Studio at Love to Dance Studio, a dance room that works as a clean and impeccable studio for every photographer’s creative session.
• La Fabrica, a ny-loft style studio ideal for daytime photo shoots.
• Picture Perfect Photo Studio, a great space for your next project no matter if you’re an amateur or a professional.