Find your ideal Photo Studio

Getting noticed in the capital isn't an easy thing. London has a vibrant art scene that reflects the city’s diverse cultural influences and history. Big photography names such as Mario Testino, Tim Walker and Jason Bell are closely associated with the UK’s largest city. It’s no surprise that one of the most popular movies about photography, Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blowup, a fashion photographer’s story, is set in London.

Are you planning a creative project of your own and need to hire a photo studio? Or are you shooting a campaign for a big company? Whether you're organising a corporate photo shoot or pursuing a personal passion project, our shortlist of London's most in-demand photo studios for hire is sure to come in handy. What are you planning and when? No matter what your needs, we're sure to have something special to catch your eye and meet your expectations.

If it’s your first time hiring a photography studio, you’re probably wondering what it should look like. Here’s a basic introduction to studio photography in London.

What a photo studio should have:

• background – backdrops come in all shapes and sizes. The materials they’re made of include paper, muslin and vinyl, among others. Using black velvet fabric as a background is a good tip, as it absorbs light and creates a nice, dark tone. Remember about stable background support poles, too. Some photographic studios in London have their own cycloramas. This type of construction gives you a lot of artistic freedom, as it’s often full angle. Price Studios in Battersea even offers a green screen cyclorama, which is perfect for special effects and means it works well as a film studio.

• reflectors – bounce flash technique is getting more and more recognition, as it allows you to modify the lighting in many ways. You can either use traditional standing umbrellas or highly portable, collapsible circular reflectors with a bigger surface. These are able to soften the light, as well as modify its warmth. You can make the light cooler or warmer, using either golden or silver reflectors. Read more about shooting studio portraits.

• softboxes – also known as light diffusers. Commonly used in portrait photography. Smooth, subtle light helps with reducing imperfections. Remember that the larger the softbox, the softer the light. The size is particularly relevant when you’re shooting wider angles, as you need to cover your entire subject or the model. For product photography a smaller one can be enough. When you’re choosing the right one, think about the effect you want to achieve.

• ladders – this may sound peculiar, but ladders come in handy quite a lot. It often turns out that the model is much taller than the photographer, and you don’t want to photograph him or her from a bad angle – the Bohemian Rhapsody effect is not always in demand. Even when you’re rather tall, a ladder may be useful for changing the perspective to something more creative.
  
  

Things to keep in mind when hiring a photography studio:

• the studio floor space you’ll need – are you shooting a large group of people, like a football team for a promotional photoshoot? Keep in mind that you’ll need a lot of square metres – the more, the better. You have to be able to move freely to achieve different shooting angles and find the best one. Remember that space is needed not only for shooting, but also for preparation. Think of such things as a kitchen or dedicated changing area. Make sure the studio has a large mirror with good lighting. The make-up artist, stylist and hairdresser will thank you later.

• extra facilities you might require – fancy projects come with fancy requirements. If you’re doing a glamourous lookbook, think about whether you might like a photo fashion shoot venue with a theatrical fog machine or table fan for special effects. Another inspiring idea is using UV lighting for a special, futuristic effect. There’s no limit to your creativity.

• any photographic equipment you might need to hire – some photo studios offer a wide variety of gear for renting. You can often choose from top Canon and Nikon DSLR bodies, razor sharp lenses with different focal lengths and different types of filters. Medium and large format digital cameras are also in demand for commercial shoots. They allow you to achieve a resolution high enough to make large prints or even billboards. Ask the owner of the photo studio if they offer the gear you need for your project.

• what rates you’ll be charged if you go over your allotted time – if you rent a photography studio for a day, check the studio’s time slots and opening hours. Remember that haste makes waste. You don’t need any unnecessary stress, so it’s better if you hire the photo studio with props for an extended period of time. You can also rent a photography studio for a day to be sure you have enough time for everything. #tagvenue can help you find a cheap one that will help keep costs down.

• additional charges for items such as backdrop paper or parking spaces – if you need a lot of extra items, the final price may turn out to be much higher than expected. Read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid surprises later.

• whether the photo studio offers access to a professional photographer or assistant – with more complex lighting setups you’ll definitely need a helping hand, so you won’t have to run around the space and make changes by yourself. Before shooting, discuss your ideas with the assistant. Share the details of your vision and let him or her know what exactly you expect.

• charge your batteries – you don’t want to run out of power in the middle of the creative process! Always carry a few spare ones. Batteries run out very quickly when you use multiple flashlights.

No matter your budget for the shoot, we can help you find a photo studio in London. At #tagvenue, we offer multiple photo studios for hire in different districts of the city. Some of our recommendations include:

• Simulacra Studio in Brixton, south London. What used to be a part of East Brixton station is now a fully functional photo studio. It also features a mezzanine and separate makeup and barber area. Their clients include London legend Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren.

• Motel Studios in Shoreditch. Another studio based in a Victorian railway arch, which means it has enough space even for very big projects. They also offer a natural light shooting area. Its flexibility makes it a perfect venue for a variety of event types, such as fashion shows, product launches and even weddings.

• Camden Park Studios in Camden Town, north London. As you can see, many of the photo studios in London are adapted areas. This one is a deconsecrated church, therefore its architecture, high ceilings and stone spiral staircases make it an excellent creative space. This Camden Town photo studio provides catering, assistants and offers photography gear hire. What’s not to like?

• Oh!Studios in central London. This one is suitable for all kinds of photography, but specialises in product and food shots – they even have a fully equipped kitchen. It’s conveniently located in the very centre of London, between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road.