Personally, some of my favourite photos are taken outdoors, and if you’re thinking similar then you may have avoided hiring a studio. However, there are some great benefits to using a studio. One of the main benefits being the ability to control ambient light levels. It’s great outdoors because you can use natural light, but if you’ve arranged to do a shoot and the weather decided otherwise, then you might not get the picture you wanted.
hereas in a lot of studios nowadays, there will be role shutters allowing you to choose the exact amount of light you want. In contrast, you can create complete darkness if that’s what you’re after. You can light up certain aspects of your picture using any amount of reflectors. You can let your imagination run wild.
Another benefit to hiring a studio is that you will be in complete control if you wanted it. A lot of studios will just take a back seat unless you ask them for something. However, if you want them to get involved they are often happy to do so. With so much to take into consideration, set design, lighting, equipment hire (anything from a tripod to a wind machine), this can be a godsend. If you’ve found a good studio then they should be there to support you in what ever you need.
A good studio will do everything to help you, from setting up the set prior to the crew arriving to utilizing your time well, to taking a quick instagram shot of you to keep on top of your social media. If you want to read more on social media, check out Fashion Rider’s PR advice article here [link to PR advice article].
Baring that all in mind, how do you find the perfect studio that provides all of the above? You need to be asking some questions before you book your slot. Facilities are the most important thing when hiring so you need to ask about them. Everything from “Is there car parking outside?” to “Does the studio have natural light?” Here’s a list of things you need to ask:
• What facilities does the studio have?
• Is there free parking outside the studio?
• Does the studio have natural light and if so, can it be completely blacked out?
• What backgrounds and lighting equipment is available?
• What is the cost? Are there any deals I can get?
• Are there changing rooms for the model?
• Is there any where to buy food on site or nearby?
• Is there anything else I need to know?
When you think you have found a good studio within your budget, don’t just stop there. You need to ask one more vital question.
• Can I come and look round the studio first?
This question is vital. You need to be cautious of what you’re going to be spending your money on. The pictures you’ve seen on their website might be edited, or not quite as they appear on your screen. A trip to take a look at the studio and speak in person will do no harm at all.
When looking for a studio you need to keep an open mind though try not have a dead set idea of exactly what you want the studio to look like. There are a lot of factors about a studio you need to take into consideration as mentioned. So make sure you mull over everything.
Contradicting this though, you do need to think about the amount of space you need… Not only for the shoot but for all of your crew. Is there going to be enough space for everyone to be around?
There’s also then the other issues to take into consideration which can often be overlooked. For example, location. What type of transport links are available? If your model is travelling from somewhere, you need to make sure it’s easy enough for her or him to get there. Then there’s also more technical aspects… What type of power sockets are there? And are there enough of them?
The list is endless depending on what kind of shoot you’re having. You just need to be clear and detailed in what you require, and then once you have found your studio, you need to tell them all of the details and exactly what you require, because the last thing you want would be to waste your valuable time on the day.
If you’re still unsure, don’t forget Fashion Rider is here to help. Please don’t hesitate in getting in contact and let us take the stress out of it for you. Also if there are any different areas we can help in just let us know.
0161 300 8794
