If you’re a photographer in Melbourne and you’re running out of places or ideas on where to do your next photoshoot, a good alternative is to look into Melbourne photography studio rentals near you. You can easily find them online by typing in specific keywords like “photography studio for rent in Melbourne.”
But is a photoshoot in a studio rental the same as when you’re doing it outside with natural lighting plus breathtaking views? Yes, it’s possible to come up with the same outcome especially if you’re very skilled and detail-oriented, and you know how to take advantage of professional equipment that is available in the studio.
To help you find the right photography studio to rent, here is a list of things you need to consider:
- Your needs. The best way to find a studio place to rent is to identify your needs. This way, you’ll know what you’re looking for when it’s time to scour the area or the internet. Your needs will depend on the photoshoot that you’re about to do or the goal that you’re trying to achieve. You might need a specific type of equipment of just a simple background, but whatever it is, make sure that you’ll find it in the place you’re hoping to rent.
- Location. One important factor to consider is the location of the studio. You want to find a place that’s accessible to you and your possible clients. You want it to be located in a busy street in Melbourne where people can pass by and see what your business is about. Getting exposure is a good way to get more clients and one way to do that is to make sure that you’re in a good location. Avoid places that involve heavy traffic because that will be inconvenient for both you and your clients. A good location might mean higher rates but it would be worth it.
- Equipment. When looking into places that are available for rent, you need to look at the equipment that is available in the studio. They will vary so you need to take a look at what’s offered to you and decide which one offers the best. What you might normally see are furniture collections, lights, work stations that you can utilize, some classical pieces, etc. Others may be able to provide you outfits and costumes. There may be additional gear that you can hire for an additional cost.
- Comfortability. The best place to work in is a comfortable one. Unlike the outdoors, a studio is a place where you can do photoshoots without having trouble with the wind or worrying if it’s going to rain. You don’t have to search for comfortable places to stand or sit. But you have to consider the comfortability of a place because not all provide what they promise. You might see on a website that a certain place is a pleasant place to work on but prove it otherwise when you get there.
- Security. Security is always a priority when choosing a place to rent, whether it’s for living or business purposes. You want to look into places that have CCTVs to keep track of what’s happening around the area when you’re not there. Places that have security personnel should be on top of your choices as these will give you peace of mind as well. And a look into the studio’s security will help you decide if it’s a good place, like, are there bars on windows? Are the locks secure? Etc.
- Space. You have to make sure that the space you’re planning to rent is spacious enough to handle all the photoshoots you’re trying to do, whether it’s a simple portrait or a party-themed one. You’ll need a big enough space to put all your computers, cameras, and other equipment, a waiting area for your clients and their companion, a changing area (if needed), etc. Remember that when looking into spaces, some are bare and you might feel that they’re big enough, so think thoroughly before making a decision.
- Accessibility. Another thing to consider is how easy it is to access the rental place. Is it on the ground floor or the 15th floor of a building? It wouldn’t be ideal to be located on top floors especially if you need to haul things from to time or get things delivered. Your requests might get rejected by delivery companies if they know how hard it would be to bring your items to you.
- Parking area. Find out the parking situation of the place you’re planning to rent. Situations may differ from time to time so make sure to check it at different times of the day and days of the week.
- Freedom to make changes to the place. When you enter a photography rental studio, you might see that everything is set up and it won’t always be the way you want it to be. So before renting out a place, ask if you’re allowed to do changes that would suit your taste. If it won’t allow you to redesign the place based on your needs or restrict you in redecorating it according to your client’s needs, then it’s probably best to look into other studios.
- Price. As mentioned earlier, the price of the studio may depend on the location. You might want to allocate a substantial amount of your budget for your rental fee because a good location will help your business in many ways. But consider other costs too like insurance. If you think it’s worth the price, then go for it.