Daylight studios can be found in every part of London, so you can find a convenient location whether you’re based North, South, East or West. Many also have the option of transforming the space into a blackout studio as well, so if plans change or you need full lighting control for certain shots, you can do it all in one location. You can also find infinity coves in London with plenty of natural lighting, perfect for product shoots.

How to plan - before you hire a daylight 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 limit is your imagination. To achieve a certain look for your photos you’ll want to start building a concept for your photoshoot. This is so important because ideally, the concept drives all other creative and practical decisions for your daylight shoot. A great way to visualise this is with a mood board, whether physical or digital using the likes of Pinterest.

Establish your budget

Remember when deciding on your budget, not only does it need to cover the basic fee for daylight 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 get ready comfortably, 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 daylight 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.

Pick the right time of day

The time of day you shoot will affect the quality and the mood of your photographs. For instance, with portrait photography, the best natural lighting is a couple of hours after sunrise and a couple of hours before sunset. These times are close to ‘golden hour’ when the sun is lowest in the sky, so shadows are softer, the angles and length are more flattering, and the warmth gives a flattering look to your portraits.

Midday when the sun is high is great for reflective surfaces like windows and water because the light penetrates deeper and they appear more transparent. You can also play with the shadows created by your indoor setting, embracing them to add character and depth to your photos.

Checklist for hiring a London daylight photography 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 daylight 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? A daylight studio will of course be equipped with windows that allow as much natural sunlight as possible. Some daylight studios also provide light modifiers, which allow you more control to focus with the light on particular subjects. If you plan on using additional equipment offered by the studio, make sure to ask whether it is included in the hire fee.

How much space will you require? This will depend on how large your team is. If you are working with models, make sure you have a changing room and enough hair & beauty stations so the stylists can work simultaneously. It’s also a good idea to check there’s a break area and a kitchen/refreshment making facilities available for the team so everyone is comfortable.

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 daylight studio to suit. Daylight studios are equipped the same as classical photo studios, which usually include background options.

What are your power requirements? Under general information on each of Tutti’s studio page listings, you can check whether single or three-phase power is available.

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