Photography Studios London

Many famous British photographers such as Tim Walker, Anne Hardy and Nick Knight are based in this wonderful city. London is, after all, one of the most creative cities in the world. And thanks to London’s rich history and diverse cultural influences, you have an amazingly broad range of studio hire venues to choose from. You may even find the choice overwhelming at first, but that’s where our advanced search tools can help you select the most appropriate space for your project. 

Whether you need to hire a lifestyle daylight studio to shoot food, a stylish photographic studio for an editorial fashion shoot, or a massive drive-in infinity cove for a car shoot, we are confident you will find something suitable on Tutti.

How to plan for your photoshoot before you hire a photo studio in London

Develop a concept

The beauty of choosing a London photographic studio is there’s a venue for every look and mood you could want to create, so your only limit is your imagination. Now to achieve a certain look you’ll want to create a concept for your photoshoot. This is so important because ideally the concept drives all other creative and practical decisions, whether you’re doing portrait or fashion photography, or a personal photo session with family. 

First start with a stylistic or thematic springboard: think of a TV show, movie, or book that you would like to emulate, or a certain mood or feeling you’d like to evoke. Search for images that relate to your starting point and then set up a mood board or create a Pinterest page with images related to your concept. These images will help inform the styling and mood of your photography session. 

Establish your budget 

Knowing how much money you have to spend will decide whether you book a no frills basic studio space or you can splurge on a fancier location with full production services. You will save a lot of time by managing your expectations and narrowing down your search.

Remember when deciding on your budget, not only does it need to cover the basic fee for photo studio hire in London, but you’ll also need to factor in additional costs like models and hair/makeup artists, additional help e.g. a photography assistant, backdrops and props, rates for going overtime, paid parking costs, and extra equipment rental. 

Decide on floor space and facilities required

Will you be shooting a fashion editorial with one model or a corporate campaign with a large team? Knowing the capacity of the venue is vital, not only for the shoot itself but also for preparation. You’ll need to ensure there are sufficient facilities for everyone to comfortably get ready, for example a well equipped kitchen and dedicated makeup and changing room. 

Pick a location

Will you need to drive to the shoot? And, if so, does the studio come with a dedicated parking space? A photo studio in central London may not be the right choice once you consider potential parking and traffic problems, but there are other studios to hire in London’s zones 2-4.

If you’ll be working with models then it’s a good idea to ensure there are public transport options such as nearby tube stations, and consider whether these will be available if you have an early start or late finish. You also might want to check out the local amenities for food and coffee options during your breaks. 

Choose the best equipment for your shoot

After nailing down your concept and your location, it’s essential you have the right type of equipment on your shoot day. Here are some useful tips for conducting specific types of photoshoots, although you should also feel free to experiment with different equipment for an individual look.

Portrait photography

Your focus will generally be on the subject’s face, so make sure you have a camera that can capture a person’s facial expressions clearly, especially if shooting a headshot or family portrait. Mirrorless and DSLR cameras provide high-resolution image quality while also allowing creative flexibility. 

The type of background you want to shoot against will also impact your studio choice. The white backdrop of an infinity cove will create an almost ethereal look, while a unique patterned wall will add dimension to your portraits. 

An apple box is optional but very useful for when you need some extra height to properly photograph your subject, or simply a place for them to sit.

Fashion photography

An assortment of lights such as photo floodlights, tungsten-halogen lamps and incandescent lighting will allow you to capture your fashion subjects brilliantly. Many of these can be used in conjunction with a strobe or flash. You might also need a lightbox to diffuse light, a fill light to remove harsh shadows, and umbrella reflectors to bounce light onto your subject. 

It’s also a good idea to put together a grip kit to help you prepare for and troubleshoot during the shoot. A kit can include clamps and tape to secure potentially hazardous backgrounds, cords, clothing and anything else, screwdrivers and pliers, plus cords for charging and connecting electronic devices and lighting batteries.

Food photography

In addition to having a camera that can capture the food’s delectable details, you’ll want to have a background that will make the colours pop. For example, you could find a simple, textured surface like wood or stone to really make the food stand out. 

For food or product photos it’s also helpful to bring a lightbox which illuminates the object from all angles and avoids harsh shadows, and a small table tripod will also come in handy.

Checklist for hiring a London photo studio

Do you require a parking space? Using Tutti’s advanced search tool you can filter the studios by free or paid parking to ensure you will have a carpark space available. Each listing also shows you the local transport options including the closest tube lines and bus routes. 

What props do you need? Some photo studio hire fees include props and it’s a good idea to check whether you can move these existing props around to use them in your shoot. 

What lighting equipment do you need? Often basic lighting equipment like umbrellas and softboxes are included in the hire fee but if lights are chargeable, you’ll want to check how much they will cost so you can factor this into your budget. 

How much space will you require? This will depend on how large your team is. Make sure there is a break area and a kitchen/refreshment making facilities available for them. If you have models you’ll need to make sure you have a changing room/hair & beauty station.

What are your background options? Once you’ve decided on the style and colour themes for your shoot, you’ll need to ensure there is a good variety of background textures and coloured backdrops available at the photo studio to suit.

What are your power requirements? Under general information on each studio page listing you can check whether single or three phase power is available.