How to Choose A Photography Studio That Fits Your Brand
Choosing a studio for your personal or commercial brand shoot is a very integral part of your vision that highly affects the outcome of your photos.
Here are my TOP 4 factors to selecting a studio that is on-brand and will deliver a beautiful result!
Image via mararamiro.com
Size, light, cost, and props can deeply impact the results of your photos. Compromising on a space is a common and potential huge mistake. When in doubt, always consult with your photographer before booking a space.
1. Size
Account for people and their equipment
Does your shoot require a lot of space? One way to know is asking yourself how many people will there be on set. A makeup artist, stylist, models, photographer, producer, not only do you need to account for bodies - each person comes with equipment that requires space to set up. You should account for their stations of stuff. More people/equipment, more space needed.
What are you shooting?
Are you shooting mostly small or large products? Do you need to shoot full-body in frame models for all your shots?
The difference between shooting a jewelry brand and an athletic brand is huge. The jewelry brand is up-close work and doesn’t require much space or depth whereas an athletic brand you’ll want some full-body shots (requiring more space/distance to shoot) and potentially white (negative) space incorporated in the shots. You will definitely need a bigger space in comparison to a jewelry shoot.
Image Via Mintroom.ca
2. LIGHT
A factor that can make or break a shoot. Is your photographer prepared to shoot in any lighting condition? What kind of feel do you want your imagery to have? Light is the key component to photography and evokes different moods depending on how it’s used. This is all a photographer’s area of expertise. They will know based on your brand vision if you require artificial or natural light for the shoot. They need to know the lighting and space size of your shoot location as their gear is designed for certain environmental conditions. Not all photographers carry gear for all lighting and sizing of space scenarios. That’s one of the major reasons why it’s important to discuss location with your photographer before booking a space.
You can assume that the majority of photographers require a bright well-lit space, meaning lots of natural window light to shoot. But you can’t assume all photographers can make a dimly lit space work as not all photographers have the gear to light up your shoot. Not all studios are built the same, some are designed for artificial light sources, others suit filter natural light best. A photographer will be able to distinguish whether the lighting is good for your photoshoot.
Consult your photographer first
Before deciding on whether a location is right for your shoot, consult with your photographer. They will know based on your aesthetic goals and their gear whether it will be a good fit.
Image via solatelierstudio.com
3. COST
sacrificING your location decision based on a tight budget can be a huge mistake
You may be surprised to learn that renting a space costs a lot of money. As a studio owner, the cost of running a commercial space is an expensive business. The industry rates out there are definitely reasonable as someone who understands the business. Studios are designed for your convenience and success and have different inclusions/advantages — and that’s worth something.
Too many times I’ve seen a brand choose a location that doesn’t align aesthetically with their brand (it makes them look cheap, or it has bad lighting so the image quality is no good) and it feels like a huge loss to have paid for photography services to have a result that wasn’t the best it could be because the location wasn’t the best.
Now, if you’re on a budget that’s totally understandable. Just know that a certain look and quality comes with a price. Some photographers are amazing at making something average look like a million bucks - hire those talented individuals!!! But if you want to set yourself up for success, you’re going to want to choose the best location for your brand. IT’S WORTH IT! It’s almost as important as the photographer you choose to work with for the shoot.
Image via mildstudios.com
4. PROPS
What’s included in your Studio rental?
Props/furniture, amenities, lighting…are these things you need? And if so, will you need to buy/bring them, or do they come with the studio rental?
The added value of props and equipment a studio has to offer is a HUGE perk. So take into consideration what kind of props and vignettes would you want to create in your shoot. Can you select a studio that already offers these so you don’t have to do the work of sourcing?
Aesthetic
Does your location vibe match your brand vibe and shoot intentions?
If you’re a minimal athleisure brand and the goal of your shoot is to showcase the product and how minimal it is, you’re not gonna select a studio full of props. You’re gonna want a studio with a lot of white space.
Boho, industrial, vintage, modern, shabby-chic, rustic, Moroccan villa, blank canvas, modern glam…there are a bunch of studios out there with pre-designed aesthetics. Choose one that best suits your vision, and if you’re unsure when it comes to this stuff, consult your photographer. They have an aesthetic eye and can help you make the best decision for your brand.
Welcome!
I’m Ashley, a Toronto/Montreal Based Editorial Personal and Brand Photographer. Curious about services? Check out my ABOUT page here.